Michael Marks and Thomas Spencer founded M&S in 1884. M&S grew to be an iconic British retailing brand with many firsts to its credit.
Instructions
on Assessment:
This assignment is an INDIVIDUAL
piece of work. It represents 80% of
assessment and of the module mark. Students are required to produce a report to
analyse the relevant contexts and answer the questions below.
The
context:
Michael Marks and Thomas Spencer founded M&S in 1884. M&S
grew to be an iconic British retailing brand with many firsts to its credit.
Almost a century later it expanded overseas and by the late 1990’s it made aggressive
investment overseas and announced plans to push international business to a
quarter of its overall revenue in less than a decade. Yet by early 2000’s
M&S started closing stores in international markets which continues to the
present.
The
question:
Analyse why
M&S has been withdrawing from international markets by examining the market
structure, demand conditions, etc of three major foreign markets it is
withdrawing from, entry modes the company adopted and obstacles it faced in
these markets, and any other aspects you think are important to explain the
withdrawal. Use at least three theoretical frameworks to do the analysis and to
explain what external factors have been responsible for the retreat. Relate
this to the internal factors within M&S where necessary.
Based on the
above analyses, explain what M&S could have done better in their
international business. Recommend how M&S can enter/re-enter any one of the
three selected foreign markets successfully in the future. State clearly any
plausible assumptions you make for your recommendation.
Assignment Guidance Notes
Writing and submission
instructions:
·
The word
limit for the assignment is 4000
words. See below for what is excluded from the word count.
·
An
electronic version of your assignment must be submitted via the Turnitin FINAL SUBMISSION link
before submission of the hard copy to the PG office.
·
Print on A4 paper with spacing preferably set at one-and-a-half
lines.
·
Write your
analysis as a piece of business communication in report style, using headings and a numbering system,
including any illustrations you think are useful. Using figures,
charts and tables to reflect trend data can give strong support to arguments
you make. Make sure all data sources used are properly explained and referenced.
·
Avoid first person usage (I, we, us) in the report.
Instructions on crafting your Assignment:
·
This is a research-based assignment. The assignment requires you to
demonstrate that you understand and can use theoretical frameworks in your
analysis. It is therefore expected that you apply appropriate concepts, i.e.,
models/ theoretical frameworks, studied in the module. Remember that you do not have to
describe models in detail, only apply them well. Also, rather than applying every
part equally, you may apply the relevant parts of the main models/
theoretical frameworks you choose to use. You may also draw briefly from models
other than the three main ones you use.
·
Your analytical discussion must be supported by a significant number of
information sources as well as theory. You are free to gather the information
you need from different authoritative sources to make your argument, not
depend on websources that are not authoritative; a landmark journal article
accessed through the web is an authoritative source but an opinion from some
unknown source is not, let alone from a blog.
·
You should
be thorough and detailed in your analysis, and should fully explain and
justify all the points. However, there is a balance to be sought between a
mass of detail and thorough, yet relatively concise, reasoning. Thus, your
writing must be clear and concise.
·
On studying the
case question, do you yourself have a question such as: “What if I recommend
M&S should not strive to enter/re-enter any fireing market?” If so, you will still need to
argue with detailed analysis and support your recommendation. That will need
similar analyses as recommending an entry/re-entry in one of the countries.
·
Append
only relevant information
to support your discussion and analysis in the main body of the report.
Appendices should be properly organised and the reader referred to the
appropriate appendix at the appropriate point in the text.
- Cite sources
of all researched data and theories/concepts/models on which your analysis
is based so as not to be flagged as plagiarism. Use APA referencing style.
- Good to note: Referring
to the Assessment Criteria at the end of this assessment brief may help
you craft your submission well. Analysis will also include what you think
the company could have done better. Please have a separate section for
recommendation. How you structure the rest is your choice. ‘Alignment’
means how clearly your arguments and analysis link together and align with
your recommendations; ‘general’ aspects mean clear formatting, flow,
referencing style, etc.
General notes
Word limits and penalties for
assignments
If the assignment is within +10% of the
stated word limit no penalty will apply.
The word count is to be declared on the front page of your assignment
and the assignment cover sheet. The word
count does not include:
|
· Title
and Contents page
|
· Reference
list
|
· Appendices
|
· Appropriate
tables, figures and illustrations
|
|
· Glossary
|
· Bibliography
|
· Quotes
from interviews and focus groups.
|
Please note, in text citations [e.g. (Smith, 2011)] and direct secondary
quotations [e.g. “dib-dab nonsense analysis” (Smith, 2011 p.123)] are INCLUDED in the
word count.
If this word count is falsified, students are reminded that under ARTA page
11 Section 1.13.2 this will be regarded as academic misconduct.
If the word limit of the full
assignment exceeds the +10% limit, 10% of the mark provisionally awarded to the
assignment will be deducted. For
example: if the assignment is worth 70 marks but is above the word limit by
more than 10%, a penalty of 7 marks will be imposed, giving a final mark of 63.
Students are advised that they may be
asked to submit an electronic version of their assignment.
Time limits and penalties for
presentations
The time allocated for the presentation
must be adhered to. At the end of this
time, the presentation will be stopped and will be marked based on what has
been delivered within the time limit.
Submission
of Assessment:
All assignments must be submitted via the Newcastle Business School
Office. Each assignment must be accompanied by an Assessed Work Form which
must be completed in full. The assignment will not be accepted by the
Newcastle Business School Office unless the form is completed correctly.
Marked assignments will be returned to students. It is advisable
to retain a copy of your assignment for your own records. Your mark will
be returned on the Assessed Work Form via the Newcastle Business School Office.
Mapping
to Programme Goals and Objectives:
This
assessment will contribute directly to the following Postgraduate programme
goals and objectives.
Goal
One: Be independent, reflective critical thinkers
|
X
|
1.
|
Demonstrate
awareness of their personal strengths and weaknesses through critical
reflective practice.
|
|
|
2.
|
Understand and challenge personal patterns of thinking and behaving.
|
Goal
Two: Be culturally and ethically aware
|
|
1.
|
Demonstrate their ability to work in diverse groups and teams.
|
|
|
2.
|
Reflect on their own ethical values.
|
Goal
Three: Have developed leadership and management capability
|
|
1.
|
Demonstrate their personal contribution to team effectiveness.
|
|
X
|
2.
|
Communicate complex issues effectively.
|
|
X
|
3.
|
Demonstrate decision making and problem solving skills.
|
|
|
4.
|
Carry
out presentations and lead discussions.
|
Goal
Four: Have developed and applied knowledge of international business and
management theory
|
X
|
1.
|
Acquire,
interpret and apply knowledge of international business, management and
organisational functions.
|
Goal
Five: Have developed a range of research skills and project capabilities
|
X
|
1.
|
Plan and complete a major individual piece of research on a
contemporary business, management or leadership topic of their choice.
|
|
X
|
2.
|
Demonstrate
skills of analysis and synthesis in the application of research methods to
the exploration of contemporary business issues.
|
Goal
Six: Have developed specialist knowledge about the theory and practice of your
programme of study
|
X
|
1.
|
Demonstrate
specialist functional knowledge in relation to your programme of study.
|
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