Research Paper Requirements, Guidelines, and Suggested Outline

General Requirements

The research paper focuses on identifying which of two possible locations (countries) are most suitable for an international expansion (new venture). The new venture can be to seek new sales (which will need local support/service, etc.) or it can involve establishing production or some other operational capability. The paper provides an opportunity for you to apply the principles and concepts covered in this (and other) business courses to make an informed and reasoned recommendation on which of two locations is the more suitable for the new venture.

To begin, select a company (manufacturing or service) that interests you. Ideally, the company will already have some international presence. While not mandatory, choose a publically traded company to ensure access to company reports, etc. After selecting your company, you will assume it is in the planning stages for its new foreign expansion. You will take the lead in identifying two possible locations for this expansion in two different regions of the world. The paper is a "20,000 foot" view of where the company should consider to locate its new venture - it is not a detailed marketing plan type study of local competitors, pricing, product placement, etc. Instead, its purpose is to narrow the company's focus to one location that looks to be the most promising for the contemplated venture.

You analysis consists of presenting information and discussing the pros and cons of locating and conducting the chosen venture at each of the two sites. The new venture will likely require skilled, dependable local workers. Product quality, operating costs, long-term operational stability, and ease of delivery to the targeted market are likely important determinants of success of the new venture.

With this in mind, below are the key topic areas of inquiry. When evaluating each dimension, keep in mind its relationship or relevance for the planned activity. For example, with respect to labor relations, you should consider whether and how specific labor laws, etc. of a country could affect the contemplated activity/operation and not just make a general statement of the labor laws that exist in each selected country.

Formatting Requirements

• You MUSTsubmit your paper as a .pdf document. DO NOT submit a MS Word .doc or .docx file! Covert your MS Word .doc (or any other format) file to .pdf before submitting.
• Your paper must be typed, double spaced, with 1 inch margins all around, and use ONLY Times New Roman 12 point type. Section headings and subheadings must also to be in Times New Roman 12 point type (but they can be bold or italic as you choose). Any footnotes should be placed at the bottom of the page (do not use Endnotes).
• Provide a cover page with your name, course number (MBA 640), and semester. Number all pages after the cover page consecutively starting from "1".
• This is a research paper. As such, you MUST use citations for any statements of fact or findings stated in the paper. Reference to cited source material can be indicated in a footnote at the appropriate place in the paper or, more formally, using a reference section at the end of the paper and within-text citation made using the MLA style (https://style.mla.org/Links to an external site.).
• Please avoid hyperbolic statements or adjectives. For example, avoid "the country's GDP growth has been spectacular." Instead, say "the country has experienced high rates of growth in its GDP."
• The paper's content, logical flow, and analysis is more important than its look and feel. A typical paper, inclusive of all materials (graphs, tables, etc.), would be 13-15 pages in length. Do not exceed 18 pages.

Failure to use the correct format guidelines for your paper will result in lost points.

Suggested Outline of the Paper (also consult the grading rubric hereDownload here)

Part I

• The company - Describe the company, including its current scope of its operations, its product lines, where it currently does business
• Global business strategy - Briefly summarize company's global business strategy including the type of internationalization strategy defined in the textbook.
• Initial location strategy - Identify two countries and provide a rational for the choices

Part II (the order of sub-elements can be different)

• Economic profiles - Develop an economic profile for each country, including principal industries, population, GDP, transportation and other infrastructure, forms of government. Identify the main advantages and disadvantage of each country for the contemplated venture.
• Political risk - Identify principal political risks associated with establishing your new activity in each country.
• HRM/labor relations - Identify labor issues that may affect the company in each country.
• Legal issues - Identify laws or legal issues that may adversely affect the company's operation in each country
• Cultural profiles - Describe the principal cultural differences between the two countries as they may affect the success or failure of the new venture.
• Ethical Issues - Identify any ethical issues that might arise in doing business.

Part III

• Mode of entry - Suggest the mode of entry for each country. Justify your choice.
• Site recommendation - Argue for one of the countries, integrating the information from previous sections.

here is my comprehensive research paper. please use this to proceed

Part I: Introduction and Company Overview

Introduction

• Briefly introduce the purpose and importance of the research paper.
• Mention the selected company and its plan for international expansion.

Company Description

• Describe the chosen company, its industry, products, and current operations.
• Highlight any existing international presence or expansion efforts.

Global Business Strategy

• Summarize the company's overarching global business strategy.
• Explain how the company aims to expand internationally and the textbook-defined internationalization strategy it aligns with.

Initial Location Strategy

• Present the two countries you've selected for potential expansion.
• Provide a concise rationale for choosing these two countries.

Part II: Comparative Analysis of Potential Expansion Locations

Economic Profiles

• Provide a snapshot of the economic conditions in each country.
• Highlight key indicators such as principal industries, population, GDP, transportation, infrastructure, and forms of government.
• Identify primary advantages and disadvantages for the contemplated venture in each country.

Political Risk Assessment

• Discuss the significant political risks associated with expanding into each country.
• Analyze potential impacts of political instability, regulatory changes, and government policies on the new venture.

HRM/Labor Relations

• Identify labor-related considerations in both countries.
• Discuss labor laws, workforce availability, costs, unions, and how they might affect the new venture.

Legal Issues

• Point out specific legal challenges or regulatory hurdles in each country.
• Address issues like intellectual property protection, contracts, and compliance.

Cultural Profiles

• Highlight major cultural differences between the two countries.
• Explain how these differences could impact aspects such as communication, management, and consumer behavior.

Ethical Issues

• Identify potential ethical challenges the company might encounter in both countries.
• Discuss matters like environmental responsibility, labor practices, and social values.

Part III: Recommendations and Conclusion

Mode of Entry

• Propose suitable modes of entry for each country.
• Justify your choices by considering factors like investment, control, and market understanding.

Site Recommendation

• Build an argument for selecting one country over the other.
• Integrate insights from the previous sections to support your recommendation.

Conclusion

• Summarize the key findings and insights presented in the paper.
• Reinforce the importance of well-informed decision-making for international expansion.
• Conclude by reiterating the recommended country and the rationale behind your choice.

Remember to include appropriate citations for any statements of fact or findings throughout the paper. This example provides a basic structure that you can build upon with detailed analysis, data, and additional relevant information for a complete research paper.