Further Instructions are given on docs
For the “Letter to the CEO” paper, I would like you to select a topic of your choice (related to international business). This can be an event, a company, a person, a strategy that a firm is pursuing, a government policy, a corporate policy, etc. I do not want a “book report” where you summarize a topic and spit it back on paper. Select a topic that you can analyze and draw a solution or a recommendation or an alternative strategy based on research and data analysis (hence the name, “letter to the CEO” where you are offering someone a solution, a recommendation, etc.).
Again, I do not want a “book report” where you simply summarize or recap an issue. I want to see critical and analytical thinking and depth of research and analysis that leads to a solution, a recommendation and alternative strategy or support for a strategy similar to my Paraguay example.
Per the above example, “should we establish a market presence in Paraguay”, the following would constitute an acceptable response that goes beyond conjecture. This is the type of analysis I am looking for.
Yes, we should enter Paraguay based on my research and analysis.
• According to the U.N. World Index, Paraguay has grown by an average of 5% over the last 10 years
• Based on my research, Paraguay is a stable democracy. The political freedom index ranks 6th highest according to the U.N. Forum for Democracy
• According to…Paraguay’s GDP per capital has increased by 4% over the last 10 years
• Culturally, Paraguay is compatible with our culture. Their tastes, preferences and life-style preferences are similar to ours based on Hofstede’s six cultural constructs
• Our products have done will in neighboring Uruguay and Argentina, two countries which based on the “Smith Country Comparison”, are similar to Paraguay based on the consumption of non-durable goods.
• According to the WTO, Paraguay has preferential import laws based on the following goods…
• According to WIPO, Paraguay protects patents and trademarks based on European law
You get the point! Your boss will want to see that you analyzed an issue critically and analytically instead of offering guesswork and conjecture. Your boss will want to see that you base your decision on specific research and analysis.
Again, select a topic that is of interest to you. Select a topic where there is room to offer a solution, alternative strategy, specific remedy or recommendation to a pain point, etc. Perhaps you wish to select a topic related to your major. Find a topic that you can weigh in on, for purposes of this paper and for purposes of either offering a solution, drawing a conclusion, or making a recommendation. Select a real-world topic, issue or challenge facing a firm. Structure your paper:
1) The opening (a recap of the topic you selected. What is the issue you are examining? What conclusion did you come to?
2) The body (your supporting research, evidence, and data)
3) The conclusion (your recommendation, solution, conclusion or answer to the issues/challenges, etc.).
Include a cover page and a works cited page. Include your name, class number, section number and date on the cover page. No conjecture! No Book Reports!
Two pages, single-spaced. Use APA or MLP format. Please visit the library if you do not know what APA or MLP styling is. Any diagrams, charts, and graphs are separate from the two pages (as is the cover page and works cited page). I am not a stickler for formatting (APA and MLP), but you must cite your research properly, and the paper must be well organized and well written.
A successful paper will show me that the student engaged in meaningful research. A successful paper will show me that the student analyzed the issue and was able to develop a solution, draw a conclusion or make a recommendation based on analysis of data. A successful paper includes proper grammar, spelling and syntax. Put yourself in my shoes. It is easy to see if a student “winged it” or actually put some time and effort into the paper. Put your “business hat” on and make a decision, draw a conclusion, develop a solution based on research and analysis. Absolutely no plagiarism.
Rubric
Depth of Research 30% (The student spent a solid amount of time researching the topic as opposed to spending a few minutes “googling” the topic. The student’s sources are legitimate as opposed to a cursory internet search).
Level of research and analysis of data 50% (The student analyzed the data and the research and was able to draw a conclusion or offer a recommendation or offer a solution based on his/her research and analysis)
Organization and quality of writing 20% (well written with no grammatical or spelling errors. Students structured the paper per the instructions)
