Reference no: EM132625725

BUMGT 5920 Management in a Global Business Environment - Federation University

Assessment Task - Activities - Approaches to Global Business

Scenario 1: Logajob expansion

Logajob is a technology development social enterprise that was started in Melbourne by Bihn Nguyen only two years ago. While Bihn does not have a technical background, she saw a growing need in her local community for vulnerable people to be able to more easily access a range of home support services that enable them to live safely and with dignity in their own homes.

Bihn recruited a small team of software designers to develop a website and smartphone app that would enable registered clients to find and contact a suitable service provider to carry out a particular task for them. Logajob's clients are often elderly, injured and/or have physical or intellectual disabilities, and need help with various small tasks and ‘odd jobs' around their homes. Registered clients are able to post the ‘job' on the Logajob website - jobs such as mowing the lawn, fixing a window or a door, walking their dog or setting up their Wi-Fi connection, and service providers, who have registered and been approved by the Logajob team, are then able to view the job posts and contact the client (through Logajob) to accept, or ‘log' the job.

The agility, security and reliability of the Logajob platform has become very popular with both clients and service providers in Australia, and the company has been very successful in working collaboratively with various government agencies and support programs (such as the Department of Health and Community Services) that also engage with Logajob clients. As a result, Logajob has overtaken other web-based platforms such as Gumtree and Facebook in connecting this client group with service providers.

The Logajob model has been very successful in the Australian context and the company is now looking continue its growth by expanding their business into the global marketplace. While Bihn was initially focussing on expansion into countries in the Asia/Pacific region, she has also been approached by the Government of South Africa to establish a presence there.

Questions:

To assist Bihn to develop the best strategy for Logajob's international expansion, you need to prepare a 3-4 page document that explores the following questions:

1. What do you see as being the best global business strategy for Logajob? Give reasons for why you see this as being the model that best fits Logajob's needs.

2. Which of the market entry modes would you recommend to Bihn? Why? What are the potential benefits and risks for the company adopting this approach?

3. Into which countries would you recommend Logajob should enter first? Give reasons for your recommendations.

Scenario 2: Mahindra Tractors - The Americas

Ramandeep is has been working for 5 years in various management roles with India-based multi- national corporation, Mahindra & Mahindra Limited, more widely known simply as Mahindra. Mahindra is a truly global brand with more than 150 subsidiary companies spread all over the world, producing a wide range of products such as automotive passenger and commercial vehicles, farm machinery and construction equipment, renewable energy and logistics.

Ramandeep is a business development manager in the Mahindra Tractors office at Mumbai. In this role, Ramandeep is scheduled to join the Mahindra Tractors Chief Financial Officer on a business trip to visit their operations in North and South America. This 14 day trip will include a visit to their assembly and distribution centres in Canada, Mexico, Chile and Brazil.

While Ramandeep has travelled regularly within India to work with Mahindra's subsidiaries and partners, she will be visiting the Americas for the first time and is somewhat apprehensive, as she knows very little about any of these countries, their people and how they do business.

To assist Ramandeep with her preparation for this business trip, your group is required to prepare summaries on doing business in each of these countries (i.e. Canada, Mexico, Chile and Brazil). These summaries should provide Ramandeep with the essential cultural and business information to enable her to engage effectively with the participants in the Mahindra business meetings on this trip. These summaries should include:

• An introduction to each country - location, language, currency, cultural diversity, major industries, system of government etc.;
• Cultural norms - greetings, names, dining etiquette, dos and don'ts;
• Business etiquette - relationship building, meetings, doing business.

Scenario 3: Ethical Footwear Recommendation

Your consultancy team has been contracted by a global sportswear brand to identify a suitable international manufacturer to supply a range of new sports shoe styles. This company has a strong reputation for quality and reliability, but a recent change in ownership of one of their major footwear suppliers (and a sharp increase in the unit price), has prompted your client to explore other options for the supply of this particular sports shoe line.

Your team has conducted a global search of suitable manufacturers and quickly shortlisted several factories (located in USA, France, Vietnam and Mexico) with capability to supply the sports shoes. Your client is happy with the shortlisted companies, appears to be encouraged by the competitive quotes received and is keen select a preferred supplier and begin contract negotiations. However, with the emergence of customer concerns in some countries relating to ‘ethical fashion' and the social and environmental impacts of the life cycle of clothing and footwear, your team recommends further research is required into the social and environmental performance of the short-listed suppliers.

You and your team have scheduled a progress meeting with your client, in which you intend to present your recommendation and seek your client's approval to undertake this additional research. To prepare for this meeting, you are required to draft a document for discussion. That is, you must prepare a 3-4 page document (to send to your client prior to your meeting) outlining your recommendation and the key points you would like to discuss at your meeting - this document must:

• Outline why ‘ethical fashion' has become an issue for manufacturers and retailers of clothing and footwear;
• Explain your rationale (i.e. reasons) for why you think this additional research is required and discuss the risks associated with not undertaking this work;
• Identify the types of evidence you would require from each of the shortlisted factories to provide assurance that these sports shoes were being produced ethically;
• Present a research plan detailing the steps you would take in conducting this research; what you propose to research, what you would actually do and how you intend to research these issues.

Attachment:- Management in a Global Business Environment.rar