Assignment:
Task - Individual Essay
Word limit: 2,500 words (excluding title page, executive summary and references, 10% more or less is allowed)
This assignment is designed to allow you to develop a deeper understanding of knowledge and frameworks covered in the course. With this assessment, you need to meet the academic requirements expected at the Masters level - research rigour, evidence of extensive reading, systematic analysis and academic writing. For this assessment, you must use at least two sources from the assigned reading from this ourse and eight additional quality scholarly references to inform your key ideas.
Based on your studies of this course and academic research, you are asked to write an individual essay by choosing one of the two questions below.
Q 1. Compared to the post-Cold War 1990s, when businesses operated in the environment that embraced globalisation, the decade since the 2008 global financial crisis has been characterised by growing scepticism towards globalisation with increased nationalism and protectionism. This change in the global business environment has brought new challenges and uncertainties to businesses. Critically evaluate challenges the recent change in the business environment arising from increased nationalism and protectionism have created for businesses in your home country, or in a country in which you have worked or studied. How should businesses in your chosen country respond to growing risks and uncertainty in the current global business environment?
OR
Q 2. There has been growing pressure on businesses to assume greater social responsibility in recent years. Choose one current social or environmental issue. What do you think are the desirable roles of businesses and governments in relation to the issue you have chosen?
More specifically, which of tasks related to your chosen issue should be handled by governments and which by businesses, and why? Do you think superimposing non-economic goals on businesses and expecting them to assume responsibilities traditionally held by governments are desirable?
Suggested structure of the essay
- Title page (title of your report, your name, student number and word count)
- Executive Summary (Maximum 150 words): An executive summary is a concise description of what the report contains. It should include major findings and significance of the essay. A good executive summary should allow the reader to understand the basic content of the report without reading the report.
- Introduction: A good introduction should clearly outline the purpose and scope of the essay.
- Body: The body should be split into sub-sections. The precise breakdown of subsections is a decision for the individual student and will depend on your key arguments.
- Conclusion
- Reference List
Format
Your essay must be formatted as per the requirements below:
A separate page of Executive Summary (excluded from the word count)
- Use 12pt font
- 1.5 line or double spacing
- Leave a line between each paragraph
- Number each page
- Use Harvard method for referencing