Unit 11 Research Project Assignment Sample (Doc)

UNIT 11- RESEARCH
PROJECT

Research Proposal Form
Student Name: ______________________ Student ID: ____________
Centre Name: _____________________
Tutor: ________________ Date: ___________________
Unit: ____________________
Proposed Title: ______________________________________________
Section One: Title, objective, responsibilities
Title or working title of the research project (in the form of a question, objective or
hypothesis)
Title: To analyse different modes of entry available with the local businesses for entering
international market. A study on Beales Department Store.
Aim: To analyse the expansion strategies available for Beales Department Store to enter USA
with special reference to FDI.
Research Objectives:
 To analyse various modes of entry in the international market available to local
businesses.
 To determine the advantages of globalization for Beales Department Store in context of
FDI.
 To identify the challenges that Beales Department Store will face during the expansion

process in USA.
 To recommend appropriate strategies that Beales should adopt in order to establish
themselves successfully in USA.
Section Two: Reasons for choosing this research project
Reasons for choosing the project (e.g links to other subjects you are studying, personal
interest, future plans, knowledge/skills you want to improve, why the topic is important):
Rationale:
 The present research will help in analyzing what are different modes that local business
men can use to enter international markets. The research will clarify these entry modes,
specially FDI, and identify various advantages and disadvantages associated with these
expansion strategies (Bende-Nabende, 2017). This research will help the local
businessmen in analyzing and comparing different expansion methods so that they can
select the one that is in accordance with the current business situation. In particular, the
research will help these businessmen in studying the potential advantages and
challenges of expansion in USA through FDI.
 The researcher has selected this topic to conduct his research currently because many
small and local businessmen want to expand their business and enter into global
markets but lack adequate knowledge and understanding that is required before
deciding which is the best strategy that should be adopted in order to expand (Hanson
And et.al., 2016)). This research will act as a guide for such businessmen and present
before them a comparative analysis of the expansion strategies i.e. FDI so that
appropriate decision can be taken.
Section Three: Literature sources searched
Use of key literature sources to support your research question, objective or hypothesis:
Literature review helps a researcher in analyzing and studying the research that has been
conducted before by reviewing various research papers so that different viewpoints of various
authors can be studied effectively. In the present research, researcher will form themes based
on the research objectives and conduct literature review.

Theme 1: Different Modes of entry in International markets.
Author, Hollender, Zapkau and Schwens (2017), states that there are five major entry modes
exporting, licensing, franchising, turnkey projects, joint venture and establishing strategic
alliances with companies in foreign countries. The author further states that depending on the
level of income and expenditure as well as the risk taking ability of the firm, a company should
decide that amongst all the available strategies which one should be selected by them. Author
has ranked exporting as the easiest method of entering into international market without any
potential risks followed by both licensing and franchising methods. This is followed by
partnership or strategic alliances formed with foreign country which involves distribution of
both risk and resources and entry through FDI’s and wholly owned subsidiaries is ranked
highest in terms of risk and control but are also expensive methods of entering. The author
concludes that all the methods have varied advantages or disadvantages and the risk exposure
and capital investment are the major factors that should be treated as a basis for taking
decisions regarding foreign investment.
Another author, Hennart and Slangen (2015), contradicts that every investment option is
associated with a particular disadvantage and cannot be selected solely on the basis of capital
investment capability of a company or the degree upto which the risk can be tolerated.
Different countries have different economic condition and these need to be critically analyzed
before determining which option should be chosen as an expansion mode. The author further
argues that under the leadership of Donald Trump, entering and doing business markets has
become relatively harder. Although the government is encouraging investment through FDI,
there are a number of regulations that are to be fulfilled and the entire procedure gets
extremely lengthy for a businessman. Author also argues that the returns in the foreign country
will not immediately flow in after the store has been opened and is rather a time consuming
process.
Theme 2: Globalisation through FDI in USA.
As per the view of Bende-Nabende (2017), in the current market scenario of America, FDI is a
good expansion option for businessman. The country has reviewed its regulations imposed for
entry of international firms and therefore, the businessman can utilize the advantage of skilled
workforce along with use of innovative technology that will help in diversifying business at an
international level. Along with this, the author further states that although FDI is not as easy or
inexpensive as exporting in USA, but there are a huge number of added benefits under FDI as
well that the company can utilize like infrastructure, business transparency, strong and just
judicial system of the country, an extremely competent business environment etc. These help in
facilitating and simplifying the process of expanding and setting up a business in USA and
therefore, author concludes that despite the movement of economy towards depression, FDI in
America is a good expansion option that will benefit both the investing businessman as well as
the economy of USA giving attractive returns.

However another author, Chen (2017), contradicts that all is not as it is purported to be in
American economy. Over the past few years, the number if investors investing in the American
market have gradually declined. The major cause behind such decline is the uncertainty that
has been injected in the trade relationships of America with long term traders of the country.
The recent US- China trade war is another major factor that has led to America losing the shine
and glimmer it once held for its foreign investors. The author concludes that collectively, there
are a number of factors behind USA turning out to be an unattractive foreign expansion option
in terms of FDI and overall recession that is being experienced by economies all over the world
further reduces the effectiveness of the FDI as an expansion method in USA.
Theme 3: Challenges experienced during international expansion.
According to Gilpin ( 2018), there are a variety of challenges that the companies might
experience while expanding on a global level. The varied laws and regulations of the different
countries and their compliance is one of the major issue that local businessman face while
expanding on an international level. Different economies need compliance of different
categories of the legal formalities to be fulfilled. Further, the author has detailed the multiple
challenges faced in compliance of international financial and accounting standards. Another
challenge that the companies face is the currency rate of different companies and the regular
fluctuation and deviation in these which makes it difficult to correctly predict the future
changes and therefore determination of the performance of business in the foreign country
becomes a complicated process. The author states that another factor having a strong
emphasis while operating in international markets is the cultural and linguistic barriers that the
company might face while expanding and if not given proper importance they can even lead to
failure of the entire business in the foreign market.
Another author, Monaghan, Tippmann and Reuber (2017), has contradicted that there are
variety of challenges that a company intending to expand in US might experience but the
author has argued that these can arise while expanding in any economy. USA, despite the
controversies and trade wars that they are involved in, it is still an attractive option for the
companies. The exposure and attention that a company receives on its expansion is a major
contributor amongst the variety of benefits that a company receives. Further, when a company
expands itself easily in US international markets, it becomes marginally easier for them to
establish themselves in other international markets.
Theme 4: Strategies for meeting challenges experienced during globalization process.
According to the view of Hanson And et.al. (2016), there are a variety of strategies that firms
intending to enter international markets can adopt in order to establish themselves successfully
in the international markets. Formulated as per context of solutions given by OECD, the author
states that strategic planning is a crucial part where the objectives of firm should be to expand
by growing along with the employees that they will hire in these foreign countries rather than
by exploiting them. Further, the author recommends that integrating of global economies and

bringing transparency in the trades and deals taking place is a major aspect that will help in
resolving the variety of challenges that companies might encounter during the globalization
process.
Further, Telò (2016), has added that countries are increasingly giving preference and
simplifying the process for small and medium enterprises in entering the global market and
therefore, this renders Globalisation as an extremely attractive option for such investors. It
helps in increasing the transparency and successful integration between various economies can
help in meeting financial crisis successfully like recession period etc. or raising the equality
standards in the employment and workplace culture so that collective growth can be achieved.
Section Four: Activities and timescales

Activities to be carried out during the research project (e.g research,
development and analysis of ideas, writing, data collection, numerical
analysis, tutor meetings, production of final outcome, evaluation, writing the
report):
How long this
will take:

Milestone one: _________________
Target date (set by tutor): ____________________
Milestone two: _______________________
Target date (set by tutor): ______________________
Gantt Chart
Section Five: Research approach and methodologies
What type of research approach and methodologies are you likely to use and why? What

your areas of research will cover:
Research Methodology involves various tools and techniques that the researcher can use for
conducting his research successfully.
Research Type: Out of the two research types i.e. quantitative research and qualitative
research, the researcher will adopt qualitative research techniques since the research involves
analysis of different expansion strategies that the companies can use in order to expand in
other countries i.e. there is no inclusion of any numerical data in the research and hence
qualitative research technique will be adopted.
Research Approach: There are two approaches under research broadly classified as inductive
and deductive research. Inductive approach is used for qualitative research where different
theories are studies in order to conduct research and deductive is used for quantitative
research under which hypothesis is tested (Kumar, 2019). For the present research, researcher
will use inductive approach.
Research Philosophy: Positivism and interpretivism are two research philosophies that are used
by the researcher where positivism is used in quantitative research under which numerical data
is analyzed and interpretivism is used for qualitative research. In the present research,
researcher will use interpretivism approach for conducting the research.
Data Collection: There are two methods for collection of data required for conducting the
research, primary sources and secondary sources. Data that is collected first hand by the
researcher himself is called primary data and data that is taken as a reference from already
published work is secondary data. Researcher will use both primary as well as secondary data
sources for his research.
Sampling: In the present research, researcher will use purposive sampling where out of the
entire population, the researcher will select a sample size of 30 managers working in Beales
Department Store so that primary data regarding expansion of the store can be collected and
interpreted.
Data Analysis: The researcher is carrying out qualitative analysis and for this purpose he will
use thematic analysis i.e. various diagrams, pie charts, bar graphs will be used for interpreting
the data and determining appropriate conclusion regarding the research objective.
Ethical Consideration: Researcher will attach a declaration form stating that he has not
incorporated any intentional biasness in the entire research and the respondents will also fill a
declaration form in which it will be declared by them that they have not been coerced by the
researcher in any manner to give preference to a particular option in any manner (Silverman,
2016). Further researcher will give proper reference and citations to all the secondary data that

has been used in the research and will not present someone else’s work as his own.
Comments and agreement from tutor
Comments (optional):
I confirm that the project is not work which has been or will be submitted for another
qualification and is appropriate.
Agreed: ________________ (name)_______________ Date ______________
Comments and agreement form project proposal checker( IV sampling)
Comments (Optional):
I confirm that the project is appropriate.
Agreed /Disagree: (Name of the IV) Date

REFERENCES
Books and journals
Bende-Nabende, A., 2017. Globalisation, FDI, regional integration and sustainable
development: theory, evidence and policy. Routledge.
Chen, L., 2017. Globalisation and trade liberalisation in supporting GVCs upgrade: The case of
the Republic of Korea. Journal of Korea Trade. 21(2). pp.161-170.
Gilpin, R., 2018. The challenge of global capitalism: The world economy in the 21st century.
Princeton University Press.
Hanson, D. And et.al., 2016. Strategic management: Competitiveness and globalisation.
Cengage AU.
Hennart, J.F. and Slangen, A.H., 2015. Yes, we really do need more entry mode studies! A
commentary on Shaver. Journal of International Business Studies. 46(1). pp.114-122.
Hollender, L., Zapkau, F.B. and Schwens, C., 2017. SME foreign market entry mode choice and
foreign venture performance: The moderating effect of international experience and
product adaptation. International Business Review. 26(2). pp.250-263.
Kumar, R., 2019. Research methodology: A step-by-step guide for beginners. Sage Publications
Limited.
Monaghan, S. M., Tippmann, E. and Reuber, A. R., 2017. Fostering Dispersed Entrepreneurship:
Challenges and Enablers during International Expansion. In Academy of Management
Proceedings (Vol. 2017, No. 1, p. 13797). Briarcliff Manor, NY 10510: Academy of
Management.
Silverman, D. ed., 2016. Qualitative research. Sage.
Telò, M., 2016. Introduction: Globalization, new regionalism and the role of the European
Union. In European Union and New Regionalism (pp. 25-46). Routledge.
Online
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