Information about the Final Exam
BUSI 3704 A: The Environment of International Business
Appendix A:
Final Exam Topics Concentration
(These topics will appear in the Final Exam)
Part I: Conceptual Questions (Answer only one question out of six)
The Environment of International Business: What is It? How can it be assessed?
(Definition of key terms)
Globalization and the Shaping of the International Business Environment
(Definition of globalization and its relationship to regionalism and its accompanying opportunities and threats)
Diverse and Dynamic Social and Cultural Environments
(Definitions and significance/consequences for international business of three concepts: vaccine equity, great resignation movement, vaccine passports, and vaccine mandates, vaccine hesitancy, vaccine freedom, zero-COVID-19 policy)
Diverse and Changing Political and Legal Environments
(Political opportunities and risks: manifestations, dynamics/sources & impacts)
The Technological Environment & Innovation
(Innovation and its relationship with the technological sphere of the international business environment)
The Natural Environment & Corporate Social Responsibility & Resource Curse
(Definition (meaning and impacts) of either: (i) resource curse, (ii) corporate social responsibility, or (iii) climate change mitigation vs adaptation)
Part II: World Events, Global Issues and Trends and their Implications for the Environment of International Business
Answer only one (1) of the two main choices.
The COVID-19 Pandemic and its Global Business Implications
Focus: This question has four (4) sub-choices to choose from (answer only one):
Impacts of COVID-19 on International Business and their Implications (focus on global supply chains and pandemic preparedness)
OR
The COVID-19 Pandemic’s Impacts on the Economic Sphere of International Business (focus: challenges and opportunities on the road to equitable, resilient, and sustainable recovery)
OR
COVID-19 Pandemic’s Impact on the Political/Public Policy Sphere of International Business (focus: rethinking multilateralism for a pandemic era)
OR
The COVID-19 Pandemic’s Impacts on the Social-Cultural Sphere of International Business (focus: rising social/income inequalities)
Climate Change (COP26 Glasgow 2021)
Focus: This question has TWO (2) sub-choices to choose from (answer only one):
Critical assessment of the achievements and shortcomings of the World Leaders Summit of the United Nations’ 26th Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) held in Glasgow United Kingdom on 31 October – 13 November 2021. Role of international business organizations in combatting climate change.
OR
Critical assessment of only one (1) international alliance to combat climate change {e.g., Adaptation Research Alliance (ARA); Canada-UK’s Climate Adaptation and Resilience (CLARE) partnership; Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero (GFANZ); Net-Zero Asset Owner Alliance (NZAOA); Net-Zero Insurance Alliance (NZIA); Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD)}. Role of international business organizations in supporting the alliances.
Part III: Practical/Empirical/Problem Solving Questions
(Answer only one (1) question out of six)
The Environment of International Business: What is It? How can it be assessed?
On assessing the EIB and the development/formulation of an appropriate analytical framework.
Globalization and the Shaping of the International Business Environment
Positive and negative impacts of globalization on global labour and ecology and the steps international business organizations have taken or might take to address such issues and to strategically position themselves, especially in this era of the global COVID-19 pandemic.
Diverse and Dynamic Social and Cultural Environments
This question has two (2) choices (answer only one)
Managing Opportunities and Challenges in Cultural Environments of international business.
Significance of Corporate Board Room Diversity in international business organizations. (definitions, benefits, challenges and best practices)
Diverse and Changing Political and Legal Environments
Focus: Factors and rationales behind the opposition to COVID-19 vaccinations, lockdowns and other COVID-19 related restrictions around the world and the consequences for the environment of international business and international business. Feasibility and viability of the pros and cons of vaccine mandates in two countries. Roles of social media and international business organizations.
The Technological Environment & Innovation
This question has 2 sub-questions (answer only one).
Focus:
Role of technology in addressing contemporary supply chain issues in one industry.
OR
Cybersecurity implications for international trade and investment in one industry.
The Natural Environment & Corporate Social Responsibility & Resource Curse
This question has 2 sub-questions (answer only one).
Focus:
Ecological impacts of free trade and the role of international business.
OR
Opportunities and challenges posed by COVID-19 Pandemic in climate change mitigation and adaptation and the international business and public policy implications.
Appendix B:
A Sample of Final Exam Questions
(Please note: These questions will not appear on the final exam)
Part I: Short Conceptual Questions
Identify and briefly describe three (3) benefits and three (3) drawbacks of regional integration. Illustrate your response with concrete examples.
In this course we have learned four (4) concepts related to regionalism, namely: (a) trade creation, (b) trade diversion, (c) trade deflection, and (d) spaghetti regionalism. In your own words, define any two concepts and explain how the chosen regionalist outcomes may play a part in shaping the environment of international business. Give concrete examples.
Describe the stages of the business cycle. How do they impact international business activities? Illustrate your response with concrete examples.
What is an ecological footprint? How useful is it as a tool for assessing the impact of human activities on the environment? Illustrate your response with concrete examples.
Part II: World Events, Trends & Issues and their Implications for International Business
On March 11, 2011, Japan was hit by a largest earthquake ever recorded in the country (9.0 magnitude on the Richter Scale). The earthquake (epicentred near Sendai in northeastern part of Japan) unleashed within minutes a 10-metre (three-storey) high Tsunami that further demolished and swept away everything in its path. Two days later, while the country was still reeling from these events, a volcano on Shinmoedake mountain on Kyushu Island in southern Japan started again to spew ash and rocks! To make matters worse, the nuclear reactors at Fukushima Daiichi prefecture were also adversely affected when the earthquake/Tsunami knocked out power to the cooling systems leading to explosions and the release of radio-active particles sparking world-wide fears of a major nuclear meltdown and catastrophe.
To the extent that Japan is a highly integrated country (regionally and globally) and a third largest economy in the world its woes are most likely to have world-wide, short- and long-term ramifications.
Given such a prognosis, what would you consider as the major international business implications of the combined disasters in Japan? Specifically, delineate three short-term and three long-term ramifications of the events in Japan for international trade and investment. Who will likely be the “losers” and “winners” as these developments unfold? You are free to focus on any sphere(s) of the environment of international business (organization/company, industry, economic, technological, social, political or financial, etc.). Provide examples to illustrate your response.
A prominent/controversial and current story in the media has been that of the Australian-based diversified global company’s (BHP Billiton Ltd) unsolicited bid to acquire a Canadian corporate darling and the world’s largest fertilizer company: Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan.
Using this case and the knowledge you have gained from this and other courses, briefly discuss the pros and cons of foreign takeovers (mergers and acquisitions) in this era of globalization paying special attention to its implications for the environment of international business. In your discussion make sure you examine how the acquisition, if successful, would affect: (a) the Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan, (b) BHP Billiton Ltd, (c) the province of Saskatchewan, (d) Canada, and (e) the global potash industry.
Immigration is a hot button issue in many countries around the world. While some have viewed international migration in a positive light, some tend to vehemently oppose it. Indeed, some commentators have argued that xenophobia tends to rise during periods of economic turmoil. In your considered opinion what are the pros and cons of international migration. Specifically, how does the international migration of labour affect: (a) business organizations, and (b) economies/societies in industrialized and developing countries? Provide concrete examples showing the positive and/or negative, short-, medium- and long-term effects of international labour mobility.
With increasing economic, social, cultural, and political interconnections and integration comes the risks of counterfeit products. For a country and industry of your choice discuss how these risks have been confronted, addressed or mitigated at the company and industry levels as well as nationally and internationally. Provide specific examples.
Part III: Practical/Empirical/Problem Solving (long/essay answer) Questions
Select a layer of the international business environment and discuss/explain how the chosen layer has been affected by a regional arrangement of your choice. Provide concrete examples to illustrate your response.
For a company of your choice, describe and explain how the current global economic uncertainties are (positively and/or negatively) affecting its short-term operations. How have management of the company responded to these opportunities/challenges. Give examples to illustrate your response.
Table of clue words for exams
Clue word
Meaning
Analyse
To find the main ideas, how they are related and why they are important.
Comment on
To discuss, criticise, or explain its meaning as completely as possible.
Compare
To show both the differences and the similarities.
Contrast
To compare by showing the differences.
Criticise
To give your judgement or reasoned opinion of something, showing its good and bad points. However, it is not necessary to attack.
Define
To give the formal meaning by distinguishing it from related terms. This is often a matter of giving a memorised definition.
Describe
To write a detailed account or verbal picture in a logical sequence or story form.
Diagram
To make a graph, chart or drawing. Be sure to label it and add a brief explanation if necessary.
Discuss
To present arguments for and against a point of view and reach a conclusion. The arguments must be supported with appropriate evidence.
Enumerate
To list. Name and list the main ideas one by one.
Evaluate
To give an opinion, supported by some expert opinions, of the truth or importance of a concept. Show the advantages and disadvantages.
Illustrate
To explain or make clear by concrete examples, comparisons or analogies.
Interpret
To give the meaning using examples and personal comments to make something clear.
Justify
To give a statement of why you think something is so. Give reasons for your statement or conclusion.
List
To produce a list of words, sentences or comments, Same as enumerate.
Outline
To give a general summary. It should contain a series of main ideas supported by secondary facts. Show the organisation of the idea.
Prove
To show by argument or logic that something is true. However, the word ‘prove’ has a very specific meaning in maths and physics.
Relate
To show the connection between things, telling how one causes or is like another.
Review
To give a survey or summary in which you look at the important parts and criticise if necessary.
State
To describe the main points in precise terms. Use brief, clear sentences. Omit details or examples.
Summarise
To give a brief, condensed account of the main ideas.
Trace
To follow the progress or history of the subject.
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