HOLMES INSTITUTE
FACULTY OF
HIGHER EDUCATION
Individual Assessment Details and Submission Guidelines
Trimester T1 2020
Unit Code HI5013
Unit Title Managing Across Borders
Assessment Type Individual Assignment (Essay Format)
Assessment Title and Topic The Importance of Cultural Differences for the Global Multi-National Corporation (MNC) Do cultural differences really matter in an increasingly globalised world?
Purpose of the assessment tStudents are required to apply their knowledge of the unit content from weeks 1 – 5 and hdemonstrate, through a written argument essay, critical thinking skills with evidence of eresearch and a considered analysis of the topic and its implications for a MNC. In the essay, students must address the following key themes including:
1. Explanations and examples of each of the determinants of culture
2. Cross cultural literacy and the dimensions of culture
3. Values, Norms, Ethics, Social Mobility
4. The advantages and disadvantages of cultural diversity for the MNC and its level of importance.
NOTE: This is strictly required to be your own original work. Plagiarism will be penalised. Students are required to apply the theories and knowledge derived from the unit materials, demonstrate critical analysis and provide a considered and comprehensive evaluation in a conclusion at the end. Students must use correct in-text citation conventions.
Weight 20%
Total Marks 20 Marks
Word limit Maximum 1,200 words
Due Date Week 5 - Friday 11:59pm
Submission Guidelines • All work must be submitted on Blackboard by the due date along with a completed Assignment Cover Page.
• The assignment must be in MS Word format, 1.5 spacing, 12-pt Arial font and 2 cm margins on all four sides of your page with appropriate section headings and page numbers.
• Reference sources must be cited in the text of the report, and listed appropriately at the end in a reference list, all using Harvard referencing style.
Note: Your lecturer may require you to submit a draft essay in Week 4.
Ensure the essay is checked for plagiarism using Safe-assign. Consult with your lecturer if you are unsure or if you require clarification.
HI5013 Individual Assignment Specifications
Purpose:
This individual assignment is an opportunity for students to demonstrate their understanding of the unit concepts from weeks 1 -5 and apply their knowledge of the theories and unit material. Students will need to research widely, consider the topic from various perspectives and develop an argument based on a thesis statement, which is supported by credible evidence from relevant case studies and other academic sources.
Background and Context:
Some argue that cultural diversity creates barriers between people due to obvious linguistic, cultural and religious differences. Others point to renowned global professional services firms, such as the “Big Four” Accounting partnerships, which actively promotes diversity - in all its forms - in the workplace and offers a range of services to a variety of clients around the world.
Given that historically, the English language is effectively the “lingua franca” or the language of business in the advanced economies of the developed world, some argue that cultural differences are irrelevant if everybody learns English, speaks the same language and becomes “Westernised”.
A good example of this is the city state of Singapore, which famously evolved from “third world to first” in a generation in the late twentieth century. All Singaporeans learn English as well as a second language based on their cultural heritage. This bi-lingual requirement is one factor, from among many, which has given Singapore an undeniable advantage when conducting business, attracting international businesses and appealing to high-wealth individuals.
However, the rise of emerging / developing economies in Asia and Africa potentially disrupts this assumption that English will remain and continue to remain the “lingua franca” of international business and that cultural differences fade away if everybody adopts liberal Western values, as espoused primarily by the USA.
The rise of China is a good case in point. What role do cultural and linguistic differences play in the trade war between the USA and China? Most observers see it as “great power rivalry” based on intense competition for economic, and now technological supremacy, but others see it as “a clash of civilisations”, driven by incompatible cultural - political differences. Ironically, “Communism” is derived from the West not the East, and yet the most powerful “Communist” political parties are in Asia.
In this assessment students must think laterally, but also think “prospectively”. If our “global village” is more interconnected with more and more efficient means of communication and travel, then are cultural differences still real barriers or obstacles which impede meaningful interactions in the business world? I am reliably informed that, just like driverless vehicles, automated real-time language translation is less than ten years away and will simply be another “app” we can download on our phone!
Required Activities:
• Students should firstly familiarise themselves with the unit content from weeks 1 -5 and consider which parts are relevant to the assignment topic.
• Students will need to supplement their knowledge with wide research of the topic and consider referencing useful and relevant case studies and other academic sources, which support their thesis statement and argument.
• Students must follow correct in-text citation protocols and end of essay referencing conventions.
• Finally, Students will need to conclude with a decisive evaluation of the relative importance of cultural differences for the modern day firm (MNC) with a considered and logical argument, based on an objective appraisal of the evidence gathered.
Assignment Structure Requirements and Guidance:
1. Holmes Institute Cover Page [This is essential and must be completed accurately. This is available on Blackboard]
2. Executive Summary - This should be a concise summary of the main argument and the conclusions made.
3. Introduction paragraph – A short paragraph which includes the background, scope and the main points raised in the essay in order of importance. There should also be a brief conclusion statement at the end of the Introduction.
4. Main Body of the essay contains clear Topic Headings for each paragraph provided.
5. Appropriate paragraphing must be used – each paragraph should include detailed information, which elaborates on the main points raised in the Introduction. This is where in-text citation is required and reference is made to specific references and other information obtained from research.
6. Page Numbers must be used – this is best practice and ensures the essay is well presented and formatted.
7. Reference the sources used with correct in-text citation conventions. Follow the Harvard method.
8. Reference List at the end must be in the Harvard Style and be mainly academic Journal Articles.
9. The essay must be within the 1,200 word limit.
10. Check the safe-assign report and modify the submission if it is Medium or High risk. You have up to three attempts.
NOTE: Consult with your campus lecturer if you are unsure or need clarification about using safe-assign.
Marking Rubric
Excellent
4 marks Very Good
3.5 marks Good
2 marks Satisfactory
1.5 marks Unsatisfactory
1 or 0 marks
Executive
Summary
Max 2 marks NA NA Well structured, complete,
compelling and concise A basic summary of the report which
provides a general synopsis. Missing or poorly worded.
Application of the
determinants of culture
Concepts
Max 4 marks Each of the determinants have been identified and well described with
appropriate examples in a logically composed structure, which
supports the argument. The determinants have been
identified and
well described with
appropriate examples A good attempt has
been made to
explain and apply the
determinants to support the A satisfactory attempt has
been made to
explain and apply
the determinants, but there are
deficiencies and weaknesses noted. The attempt made is unsatisfactory with clear
deficiencies and
relevant to the argument. argument put forward.
weaknesses noted.
Cross cultural literacy and the
dimensions of culture
Max 4 marks Cross cultural literacy and the dimensions of culture are well
described with
appropriate examples in a logically composed structure, which
supports the argument. Cross cultural literacy and the dimensions of culture have
been identified and well
described with
appropriate examples
relevant to the argument. A good attempt has
been made to
explain Cross cultural
literacy and the
dimensions of culture which are applied to support the
argument put forward.
A satisfactory attempt has
been made to
explain and apply
Cross cultural literacy and the dimensions of
culture, but there
are deficiencies and
weaknesses noted.
The attempt made is unsatisfactory with clear
deficiencies and
weaknesses noted.
Values, Norms,
Ethics, Social mobility
Max 4 marks Values, Norms, Ethics, and Social mobility
are well described with
appropriate examples in a logically composed structure, which
supports the argument. Values, Norms, Ethics, and
Social mobility have been
identified and
well described with
appropriate examples
relevant to the argument. A good attempt has
been made to explain the
concepts of Values,
Norms, Ethics, and Social mobility
which are
applied to
support the
argument put forward.
A satisfactory attempt has
been made to
explain and apply the concepts of
Values, Norms,
Ethics, and Social mobility, but there
are deficiencies and
weaknesses noted.
The attempt made is unsatisfactory with clear
deficiencies and
weaknesses noted.
The advantages and
disadvantages of cultural diversity for the MNC and its level of
importance
Max 4 marks The advantages and disadvantages of
cultural diversity for
the MNC and its level
of importance are well described with
appropriate examples in a logically composed structure, which
supports the argument
The advantages and
disadvantages of cultural
diversity for
the MNC and its level of
importance have been
identified and
well described with
appropriate examples
relevant to the argument A good attempt has
been made to explain the
advantages and
disadvantages of cultural
diversity for
the MNC and its level of
importance which are
applied to
support the
argument put forward.
A satisfactory attempt has
been made to explain the
advantages and
disadvantages of cultural diversity for the MNC and its level of
importance, but there are
deficiencies and weaknesses noted. The attempt made is unsatisfactory with clear
deficiencies and
weaknesses noted.
Referencing
(in-text citation)
1 mark NA NA NA NA 1 = Correct
0 = Incorrect
Reference List
(at the end)
1 mark NA NA NA NA 1 = Correct
0 = Incorrect
Total
20 marks
Comments
Specific feedback will also be provided by your local campus lecturer in Blackboard when grades are released. You should also consider seeking consultation prior to submitting your assignment and prepare a draft for review prior to final submission. The Final
Mark awarded will
be released on
Blackboard two weeks after
submission, unless it is submitted late.