The goal of this major essay is to promote the development of critical reflective skills in order to analyse specific global-related issues, considering diverse perspectives and heterogeneous stakeholders in cross-national contexts that are shaped by global forces.
The unit of analysis of the major research essay combines the main topics covered during the course with specific issues developed in particular industries, companies and/or organisations in which global forces have created controversies or contradictions.
In order to facilitate the selection of themes, student must combine any three themes; two from column one and one from column two (see Table below). Two groups must not focus on the same issue or company. The first group that informs the course convenor their chosen topic will be awarded the right to develop it. Alternatively, groups can propose topics that focus on specific issues covered in column one and two. In this case groups must obtain acceptance from the Course Convenor in writing.
Column 1 | Column 2 |
TNCs & Globalisation | Agro-food industry & Fair trade |
The State in a Global world | Bio-fuels |
Global variations in State economic policies | Exploration of natural resources |
Civil Society, NGOs & Globalisation | Low cost manufacturing and services |
Corporate Social Responsibility & Globalisation | Global pharmaceutical Industry |
Business Ethics in the Global arena | Global electronics industry |
Sustainability & Business | Specific developing/developed country situation |
In your analysis you must consider at least one of the two following questions:
In order to develop this assignment, you need to focus on one specific situation (issue or problem) that will facilitate the application of the selected topics in order to develop your essay. In order to find out ‘the problem’ I advise to look at Newspapers (e.g. The Australian) or Magazines (e.g. The Economist). You can also look at the Web but only to get ‘data’ about the issue you are researching. You must not use ready-made cases available either in textbooks or web sites. For example, if you are focusing on ‘low cost manufacturing’ (column 2), the role of the state (column 1) and CSR (column 1), you can use the example of Nike to illustrate and discuss situations regarding the exploration of manpower in developing countries, something that can be linked to the use (or not use) of CSR policies by TNCs as well as the role of the government. There is one restriction regarding this point: students cannot use McDonald’s, Nike or Coca Cola as ‘the problem’ to be investigated.
A minimum of 10 academic journal articles &/or scholarly monographs (books) are required in this item. Academic journal articles need to be directly related to the themes (from column 1) selected. Web information and data can be used but are not considered to be academic journal articles. I strongly recommend the use of academic articles from the list of readings of this course. Students who have difficulties in differentiating scholarly books from textbooks must contact course convenor for clarification.
Remarks about references
Groups who use an English editor or any other person to help to improve/edit written English, must inform in the cover page of their essay the full name of the person, email address & telephone number. Specifications and Format
Additional information:
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