Essays Based on Secondary Research Including Literature Review of Academic Journal Articles This assignment covers Learning Outcomes 3, 4 & 5 covered in weeks 4, 5, 6 & 7 as per your Course information & Schedule handed out to you in class. Instructions: 1. You are required to critically discuss the issues in each of the following essays based on in-depth research. The sources for your research must include: • Peer reviewed & refereed academic journal articles. • Business publications and/or text books on each of the topic/essays • You will be expected to cite at least 2 refereed journals articles for each essay and several other valid and relevant sources too. • The word count is 750 words for each essay and the reflective journal. You must stay within 10% of this limit ie. 10% more words but NOT less. • All sources must be acknowledged and supported by a properly referenced (APA style) reference list. Material can be gained from the library and in particular from the EBSCO and Emerald databases that are located via the library web page. • Endure that your answer contains no irrelevant material and is well structured, including page numbers and word count at end of each essay. Use font size 12 Ariel or Times roman, and spacing of 1.5. You are required to conduct an in-depth review of academic and business sources for EACH of the specific topic areas given below. Follow the marking criteria page 5, below. ESSAY 1: (25 marks, 750 words) New Zealand’s international business is increasingly relying on exports to Asian countries. China is now the largest trading partner with New Zealand. Given that China is a “Collectivist Society” and New Zealand an “Individualistic Society”, discuss critically how business culture differs in the two countries. Investigate the lessons to be learnt by New Zealand Business managers in interacting with Chinese managers. Essay 2: (25 marks, 750 words) This International Business course requires you to investigate regional and global economic integration. The New Zealand Government has pursued and negotiated “Free Trade Agreements” with Asian countries. Discuss critically the benefits and drawbacks of the free trade agreements between New Zealand and China. Investigate the improvements made to this trade agreement in the recent march 2017 negotiations. Essay 3: (25 marks, 750 words) New Zealand exports are dominated by primary commodities like dairy, forestry, meat, wool, marine and horticulture products. Discuss critically the New Zealand government policy on Foreign Direct Investment and changes you would recommend to facilitate more capital inflows into “value adding” industries. Reflective Learning Journal: (25 marks, 750 words) Your reflection needs to be an analytic insight about the three essays you have written above and how you grew in knowledge, understanding and capability over the course. The reflection will also include how you view the structure of the New Zealand economy and how that relates to the above three issues. Read the following to understand the criteria for achieving grades A, B, C & D/E. This is especially useful for International Students who are enrolled in a course in New Zealand, for the first time. For an A Grade Content: A comprehensive and a well-planned assignment clearly meeting all stated objectives. Succinctly integrates a range of relevant concepts, principles, practices and theories. All answers are fully justified and are supported by examples or evidence from the literature. Has clearly read the key literature and has extensive citations. Can demonstrate the ability to critically analyse and synthesise a comprehensive range of issues and reach supported conclusions/ recommendation. Is able to identify all relevant key issues, processes and contexts. For a B Grade Content: Answer is relatively comprehensive, and integrates many relevant concepts, principles, practices and theories. Answers are adequately justified and are well supported by some evidence or examples from the literature. Has read reasonably widely of the key literature and has many appropriate citations. Can demonstrate the ability to critically analyse a smaller range of issues in order to reach acceptable conclusions and recommendations. Is able to identify some key issues, processes and contexts. Answer may contain some irrelevant material. Objectives generally met. For a C Grade Content: Understands the topic and can link some concepts, principles, practices and theories. Answers have little justification and support employing evidence from the literature. Has read some of the key literature and cited accordingly. Can demonstrate the ability to analyse some issues, processes and contexts in order to reach conclusions or recommendations. Answers are descriptive and typically lack any real critical discussion or evaluation. Produces irrelevant material. Objectives not properly addressed. For a D/E Grade Content: Poor answer. Shows some understanding of the theory and concepts. Areas will be missing and mismatches may occur between the theory and integration with the articles being studied. Citation is incorrect or inconsistent and typically not citing some of the answers from the literature or providing supporting material. Has read little or none of the seminal literature. Answer is disjointed and fails to reach conclusions. Objectives not met. Structure and Marking Criteria for EACH Essay Note: Ensure that you follow the structure given below for EACH essay (Word count maximum given in your assignment + weight %’s as on this sheet) Weight Grade Introduction to EACH Essay Explains how the essay is structured, introduces key ideas/ issues, and how these issues will be addressed. 5 marks Critical Discussion of topic in EACH Essay: 1. You should demonstrate mastery and comprehension of the literature related to the essay topic and the discussion is well justified and supported with main findings. (10 marks) 2. The research is based on current academic journal articles and business sources. Your discussion includes a synthesis of the relevant literature and business articles sourced in your research. (5 marks) 15 marks Implications & Recommendations in EACH Essay: Your research on the essay topic has resulted in realistic implications and recommendations based on the trends and future directions as identified in your discussion. 5 marks Mark for Each Essay 25 Sub-total Marks for THREE Essays (3 X 30 marks) 75 marks Reflective Learning Journal 1.Analytical insight demonstrated based on journal articles reviewed (5 marks each of the essay’s journal articles) (15 marks) 2.Reflection on the structure of the NZ economy based on above 3 essays (10 marks) 25 marks Total Marks 100