BEO3432 STRATEGIC INTERNATIONAL TRADE OPERATIONS, SEMESTER 1: 2016
RESEARCH ASSIGNMENT (weight 30%)

This assignment is to be undertaken in groups of three (3) students. The assignment accounts for 30 percent of the total assessment of this unit. Students are required to submit the assignment plan during the tutorial class of week 5 and the final report in the tutorial class of week 10. Students not conforming to the submission guidelines stated at the end of this document will incur a deduction of marks.
Research Assignment
Context: Recently you have joined the firm X – one of the leading export firms in country Z (home country Australia or China or Malaysia). Your company is an exporter of goods or services (e.g., meat, wheat, mineral, computers or services such as education, tourism and health services). You have been assigned to the task of developing a strategic plan to expand company’s exports to the country Y (target country).
Country Y could be an existing market or new market.
Tasks:
1. Firm analysis - Provide a detailed account of the company concentrating on its current trading operations, export capacities, range of products and services, its market strength, and financial performances. Most of this information could be extracted from the company’s web site and internet (do not contact the company).
2. Market analysis – Evaluate the export market (e.g. total market volume of the goods or services, market share of the exporting country and the firm etc.). Comment on consumer preferences and potential demand for the product at the target country.
3. Country analysis – Provide a brief description about economic, political, legal and other relevant environments in the target country including potential risks. Also highlight export support structures present in home and target countries (if any).
4. Strategic plan – Outline your