Posted: September 13th, 2017

International Strategic alliance

International Strategic alliance

1.    Coopetition – partnering with direct competitors/Inter-partner conflict management/How important is cultural fit?/Harvesting knowledge/Performance metrics

Individual Written Assignment
You are presenting a plan to start an International Strategic alliance in the industry of your choice (using real-life example or the imaginary alliance) in 4,000 words.
Discuss one of the following aspects, using cases and academic theories to support your argument:
1.    Coopetition – partnering with direct competitors
2.    Inter-partner conflict management
3.    How important is cultural fit?
4.    Harvesting knowledge
5.    Performance metrics

Present recommendations to address potential issues. Illustrate your chosen answer by referring to several alliances
Details
Imagine, you are an alliance manager. You need to persuade your CEO that you are capable of running the alliance in respect of one of the five aspects (as listed above). You could say the first thing that comes to your mind, but that is not going to be very persuasive (e.g. you lose your job / fail assignment). Instead, you need to demonstrate your analytical thinking. You need to support your analysis with examples from other companies – what they did, where can you inspire, what you should avoid. You need to demonstrate your understanding of theories and concepts, so your CEO can be confident that you are aware of the best practices (so you are not reinventing wheel). Your analysis supported with theory, examples from practice, and understanding of your company (and industry) is the winning formula. Do not forget about appropriate academic referencing (since this is an academic assignment).

Choice of alliance
Choose and briefly present the alliance you are involved in. You can choose to be involved in:  (Only choose one of sitation you want)
•    Alliance as presented in a case study (perhaps using a different case study than those presented in module learning guide could be more exciting)
•    Other real life alliance (for example, you have heard about an alliance in news, you have seen an alliance in your previous work experience, …)
•    Imaginary alliance (invent your own company and imagine the alliance with a real existing company)
Content
•    Briefly present the alliance background
o    ‘Who do you work for?’ – Identify from whose perspective (company) you will analyse selected aspect
o    Keep it brief (cca. 400 words should be enough)
•    Research Academic theory
o    Demonstrate your understanding of theory
o    Critically evaluate theory, do not simply repeat what one author said in one journal. Look at different sources / different views, think about it (critically analyse), and offer your understanding.
o    You are encouraged to create your own theoretical model. You still need to critically evaluate other theories and concepts. During your analysis you may arrive to the conclusion that no theory is working for you. Create your own model. Understanding theories is good, creation of knowledge is excellent (so might be your mark). Try it.
o    Do not forget to reference authors of those theories (sources). Reference only sources that you have read. Do not copy references from journals.
o    You must consider academic theories in order to pass
•    Illustrate your chosen answer by referring to several alliances
o    Apply theories on examples from practice
o    Support your analysis – demonstrate what works, or does not work
o    Use case studies (you can refer to cases studied during the module or to other cases of similar depth). Academic case studies will not always offer the most up-to-date information, but will offer very good level of detail supported with academic theories.
o    You can supplement your research with up-to-date information obtained from news articles
o    You must present examples from practice in order to pass
Format and innovation
The individual assignment is equivalent of a 4,000 word report and accounts for 75% of the marks for the module.
Easiest format is report (strongly preferred to essay – headings and subheadings make reading easier, report format is what you are going to use in business). However, you are encouraged to innovate.
Use:
o    mind maps
o    process diagrams
o    presentation (you can even record voice over)
o    video
o    combined format (e.g. video in a presentation)
You can use different formats as part of your report, or you can even replace the entire report with different form of submission. Whatever format you choose, it needs to be equivalent of 4,000 words and you always have to demonstrate analysis, theory, examples from practice, and provide referencing. If you choose to submit the entire report in a different format, there must be a rationale for it. For example, you cannot simply divide the text into PowerPoint slides. Using a different format should add value to your work. For example, it makes sense to take advantage of animations to visually display links between concepts, analysis, or examples.
We will offer modest uplift to your mark to reflect risk that you are taking. Please discuss your idea with your module tutor regarding the suitability of your innovation.
It must work as standalone resource. When the marker reads or watches your report, they should see all the information needed to be able to mark your assignment against the assessment criteria. So, you do not have to come explaining what you mean.

Individual Written Assignment assessment grid
Assessment Criteria    Below 40%    40% – 49%    50% -59%    60% – 69%    70% and over
Must explicitly and directly answer the question in a well-informed manner    Fails to answer the set question adequately.    Answers most aspects of the question. Minimal use has been made of the material provided and there is no evidence of significant additional reading.    Answers the question explicitly and provides reasonable evidence of knowledge of the topic and reading.    Answers the question explicitly and makes very good use of course material and set reading.    An excellent answer, detailed and comprehensive with evidence of additional research and reading.
Definition of relevant concepts and principles    Fails to define any relevant concepts and principles.    A clear definition of some relevant concepts and principles.    Detailed definition of some relevant concepts and principles.    Detailed definition of all major relevant concepts and principles.    All relevant concepts and principles clearly defined.
Application of relevant concepts and principles    Fails to apply any relevant concepts and principles.    Some attempt has been made to apply relevant concepts and principles.    Good application of some relevant concepts and principles.    Very good application of most relevant concepts and principles.    Virtually all relevant concepts and principles accurately applied.
Evidence of significant reading and research and knowledge in depth of the topic.    No evidence of significant reading or research and little evidence of knowledge on the topic.    Limited evidence of reading and research and knowledge of the topic    Evidence of a reasonable amount of reading and research and knowledge of the topic.    Clear evidence of extensive reading and research and knowledge of the topic.    Clear and wide ranging evidence of extensive reading and research and a deep knowledge of the topic.
Presentational quality of answer.    Very poor presentation with many grammatical and spelling errors.    Serious weaknesses in structure, grammar and spelling.    Reasonably clear structure with satisfactory grammar and spelling.    Logical structure and good overall quality of presentation.    Coherent and reader friendly, logical structure and good quality of all attributes.