ASSIGNMENT 01

Question 1

Over the years, governments in Africa have come to realise the importance of small enterprises as being key to their economic growth. The South African Ministry of Trade, Economic Development, and Small Business Development have developed multiple programmes to support small- and medium-sized enterprises. With the African Continental Free Trade Area agreement in mind, write an expository essay to examine whether these programmes and interventions deliver the intended and desired results. If not, why and what is the alternative? substantiate your answer.

(80 marks)

NB The following marking rubric will be used to mark this assignment:

content reflection demonstrated in critical thinking in terms of analysing and applying global business concepts (55 marks)

personal growth demonstrated in awareness of deeper meaning through inferences made, examples, well-developed insights, and substantial depth in perceptions and arguments. Demonstrated also by an ability to synthesise current experience into future implications. (15 marks)

Quality of evidence (sources) used for the assignment; and documentation: (10 marks)

(80 marks)

Question 2

You are expected to submit a two-page answer.

You have been introduced to critical theory and meta-theories of regional integration and economic development to provide different lenses to explore, analyse, and make sense of the globalisation agenda. Through the lens of these theories, journal your reflections, thoughts, attitudes, feelings and lived experiences pertaining to the first three topics in the module overview (1. Values, ideology, and the Global Business discourse; (2) Global and National Business Environment; 3. Cross-Border Trade and Investment). (20 marks) Why is this exercise important? Journaling equips you to make sense of your new learning experiences, to effectively navigate uncertainties of your academic career. Journaling is also an important skill that facilitates exploration of your personal context in order to identify your assumptions, biases, and the way you think. Understanding how you think and your ontological view will allow you to be more mindful of how you communicate in scholarly works (assignments, exams and published works). Journaling provides a space for you to engage a written dialogue with your multiple selves. The following may help you kick-start your journal entry. Observe what you spend your time on each week and record in your journal how much time you have spent on each activity in this module Reflect on your thoughts and document in your journal the most dominant thoughts that occupy your mind related to the module topics. Reflect on your ideology and identify which values shape your ideology stance Reflect and document in your journal the activities that you do to contribute to society in relation to this module. Please refer to Annexure B on page 28, for the rubric which will be used to mark these. Total [100 Marks]