You must structure your individual report as follows:

Title Page (not included in word count)

Contents Page (not included in word count)

Task 1 (250 words)

Task 2 (375 words)

Task 3 (625 words; excluding completed table template as an Appendix)

Task 4 (750 words)

Task 5 (500 words)

References (not included in word count)

Appendix A (completed table template for Task 3; not included in word count)

Background to Assignment

You are a market research analyst working for XYZ Enterprises (select a real-life company from the related industry), a company specializing in technology solutions for sustainable agriculture. With increasing competition in domestic markets and growing demand for sustainable agriculture solutions worldwide, XYZ Enterprises is exploring opportunities for international expansion. As part of the market research team, your task is to undertake a piece of research in order to provide the company with insight into expanding into a new international market.

Assignment Tasks

You are required to present a 2,500-word report addressing the following tasks.

1. Provide an overview of the importance of international market research for businesses seeking expansion opportunities overseas. (250 words, 10% of overall mark)

2. Evaluate XYZ Enterprises’ readiness for international expansion. (375 words, 15% of overall mark)

3. Using the table template provided, undertake a quantitative comparative evaluation of what you believe to be the most relevant global connectedness and macro-environmental factors of Italy and Australia in order to identify which country is the most attractive market for XYZ Enterprises to target. Present your completed table template as Appendix A.

(not included in the word count)

With reference to your completed table template in Appendix A, explain the key reasons why you believe the country with the highest overall attractiveness score is the best market for XYZ Enterprises to expand into.

(625 words, 25% of overall mark)

4. Apply Porter’s 5-forces framework to XYZ Enterprises’ industry in your recommended market in order to identify the key opportunities and threats the company will face when entering the market

(750 words, 30% of overall mark)

5. i) develop a sales forecast for XYZ Enterprises for your recommended market (250 words; 10% of overall mark)

ii) identify and recommend a suitable foreign business partner that could facilitate XYZ Enterprises’ expansion into your recommended market; provide justification for your recommendation (250 words; 10% of overall mark)

(500 words, 20% of overall mark)

Knowledge and Understanding

Practical, Professional or Subject Specific Skills

On successful completion of this assessment, you will be able to:

1. Demonstrate an understanding of the need for research in international business.

2. Evaluate firms’ readiness to internationalize and the suitability of their products and services for foreign markets.

3. Evaluate countries to identify target markets and assess industry-specific potential within a chosen market.

4. Estimate a company’s sales potential within a chosen market.

5. Identify and recommend foreign business partners for a company and justify your recommendations.

6. Locate, synthesise and evaluate qualitative and quantitative data using appropriate digital tools.

7. Choose and apply appropriate methodologies, tools and techniques to design and deliver an independent piece of research.

8. Effectively use digital and non-digital means to present ideas, analyse problems and develop and communicate clear and concise insights, conclusions and recommendations.

Specific word counts have been provided above as a guide for each task.

Style

Your report should use the following style:

·         Follow professional report format.

·         Font: Times New Roman, Font size: 12, Line spacing: 1.5, Alignment: Justified

·         Mention wordcount after each task.

·         Referencing: Present the full references in alphabetical order at the end of your report. You must use the University of Salford APA 7th style for referencing and in-text citations.

·         You should include enough reliable sources with academic journals and academic books.