Unit 25: Global Business Environment - Thought Leadership Article

This report provides an analysis of the global business environment, focusing on the key factors driving globalization and the strategic complexities associated with operating in such an environment. It begins with an introduction to the concept of globalization, followed by an analysis of the cultural, economic, political, and social dimensions that drive globalization and trade. The report critically evaluates the impact of these factors on the business environment, highlighting both opportunities and challenges. It also assesses the impact of digital technologies on globalization and the role of innovation. The report includes recommendations for how organizations can respond to and thrive in a globalized, digitalized world, drawing upon contemporary examples and relevant academic theory. The case of McKinsey & Company is referenced, and a PESTLE analysis is considered. This report is intended to serve as a thought leadership piece, offering insights for businesses seeking to expand their global reach and manage the complexities of international operations. Desklib provides access to similar reports and study resources for students.

Higher Nationals
Assignment Brief – BTEC (RQF)
Higher National Diploma in Business (Business Management)
Student Name/ID Number BUI THI THU PHUONG (ELSIE)
Unit Number and Title Unit 25: Global Business Environment
Academic Year 2022 – 2023
Unit Assessor Ms Phuong-Thao Nguyen
Assignment Title Thought Leadership Article –
Competing in a Global and Complex World (AB 1 of 2)
Issue Date 30 August 2022
Submission Date 23 October 2022
IV Name
Date
Submission Format:
The submission is in the form of a ‘thought leadership’ article that makes reference to contemporary
examples, case studies and images The article should be written in a professional format, making use of
appropriate headings, columns, bullet points, titles, subtitles and charts. Citations and a bibliography using
the Harvard system (or an alternative system) should be given. Inaccurate use of referencing may lead to
issues of plagiarism if not applied correctly.
The recommended word count is 2,000–2,500 words, although you will not be penalised for going under or
exceeding the total word limit.

Unit Learning Outcomes:
LO1 Analyse the key factors which drive globalisation.
LO2 Determine the strategic complexities associated with operating in a global environment.
Transferable Skills and Competencies Developed:
 Commercial acumen based on an awareness of the key drivers for business success
 The ability to analyse and evaluate a range of business data, sources of information and
appropriate methodologies
 Strong digital literacy
 Articulating and effectively explaining information
 Communication and listening, including the ability to produce clear, structured business
communications in a variety of media.
Vocational Scenario:
Organisation
McKinsey & Company is a global management consultancy firm which have European headquarters
based in London, Asian headquarters in Singapore and Hong Kong, and Americas headquarters in Sao
Paulo. The business was founded in 1926, it works across private and public sectors, and counts
numerous ‘blue-chip’ companies as clients. Its mission statement is ‘To help our clients make significant
and lasting improvements to performance in a global, digitalised world’. Annual turnover for the
organisation, broken down by region, is:
Europe – £55 m
Asia and Africa – £20 m
Americas – £80 m
China – £35 m
The business aims to support and help its clients grow and build capabilities and leadership skills at every
level, especially in the areas of digital and ecommerce. The focus is on working with organisations that
want to expand their global reach and manage the challenges and complexities that result from operating
in an international and global context. Typical consultancy projects take between one to six months. One
Senior Partner is attached to the projects, together with an Engagement Manager and two or three
Business Analysts.
The company publishes a business journal Global Business Quarterly – a ‘thought leadership’ publication
that offers an insight on existing and prospective clients.
Role
You have recently joined the organisation as a Global Strategy Analyst, and you have been working on a
range of consultancy projects with large FTSE350 UK-based businesses that want to expand and develop
globally. Your role involves extensive quantitative and qualitative research in order to conduct market

analysis and identify growth opportunities, building rapport with internal and external stakeholders to
ensure that projects are delivered on time.
Assignment Activity and Guidance:
On the basis of your experience to date, your Senior Partner has asked you to draft an article that will
feature in the next edition of Global Business Quarterly journal.
The aim of the article is to address the complexities associated with operating in a global environment. As
part of this, you will need to analyse the key factors that are driving globalisation. The journal is distributed
to existing clients and is also used as a promotional tool to attract new and potential clients.
You are required to research and produce the journal article, it should include the following.
 An introduction to the concept of globalisation.
 An analysis of key factors that drive globalisation and trade, with reference to cultural, economic,
political and social dimensions, and the complexities this necessitates.
 A critical analysis and evaluation of the impact that these factors have on the business
environment in terms of opportunities and challenges.
 Evaluation of the impact of digital technologies on globalisation and the role of innovation.
 Recommendations on how organisations can respond to, and thrive in, a globalised, digitalised
world.
The article should include contemporary examples, as well as reference to relevant academic theory and
models.
Recommended Resources
Please note that the resources listed are examples for you to use as a starting point in your research – the
list is not definitive.
Weblinks
Entrepreneur. How to Take Your Company Global. Available at:
https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/159252
Inc. 6 Tips for Writing Compelling Thought Leadership Articles. Available at:
https://www.inc.com/entrepreneurs-organization/6-tips-for-writing-compelling-thoughtleadership-
articles.html
World Business Culture. How to do business worldwide. Available at:
https://www.worldbusinessculture.com/
Velocity Global. Global case studies, videos and reports. Available at:
https://www.velocityglobal.com/resources
HN Global (2021) Reading Lists. Available at: https://hnglobal.highernationals.com/learningzone/reading-
lists
HN Global (2021) Student Resource Library. Available at:
https://hnglobal.highernationals.com/subjects/resource-libraries
HN Global (2021) Textbooks. Available at: https://hnglobal.highernationals.com/textbooks
Journal articles
John Cantwell (2017) Innovation and international business, Industry and Innovation, 24:1, 41-60, DOI:

10.1080/13662716.2016.1257422: https://doi.org/10.1080/13662716.2016.1257422
Fred Hu and Michael Spence. (2017). Why Globalization Stalled and How to Restart it, Foreign Affairs.
Mukherjee, Sonia. (2018). Challenges to Indian micro small scale and medium enterprises in the era of
globalization. Journal of Global Entrepreneurship Research. 10.1186/s40497-018-0115-5
Textbooks
Bartlett, C. and Beamish, P. (2018). Transnational Management: Texts, Cases, and Readings in Cross-
Border Management. 8th Ed. Maidenhead: McGraw-Hill
Daniels, J. D., Radebaugh, L. H. and Sullivan D. P. (2018) International Business Environments and
Operations. 16th Ed. Harlow: Pearson
Peng, M. (2016) Global Business. 4th Ed. Cengage Learning
Pearson Education 2018
Higher Education Qualifications
Assignment Brief

Learning Outcomes and Assessment Criteria
Learning Outcome Pass Merit Distinction
LO1 Analyse the key
factors which drive
globalisation
P1 Analyse key factors
of cost, market,
environment and
competition that drive
global commerce and
trade.
M1 Critically analyse
the impact that key
factors have upon the
global business
environment in terms of
benefits and
challenges.
LO1 & 2
D1 Critically evaluate
the global business
environment, including
the opportunities and
challenges faced by
organisations.
LO2 Determine the
strategic complexities
associated with
operating in a global
environment
P2 Examine the
complexity of strategic
challenges faced by
organisations when
operating in a global
environment,
supported by specific
examples.
M2 Evaluate strategic
challenges in context of
risk and diversification
strategies and the
supply chain flow.
Pearson Education 2018
Higher Education Qualifications
Assignment Brief

STUDENT ASSESSMENT SUBMISSION AND
DECLARATION
When submitting evidence for assessment, each student must sign a declaration confirming
that the work is their own.
Student name:
Bui Thi Thu Phuong (Elsie)
Assessor name:
Ms Phuong-Thao Nguyen
Issue date:
30-Aug-22
Submission date:
23-Oct-22
Submitted on:
Programme:
Pearson BTEC Level 5 Higher National Diploma in Business (Business
Management)
Unit:
Unit 25: Global Business Environment
Assignment number and title:
GBE1: Thought Leadership Article – Competing in a Global and Complex World
(1 of 2)
Plagiarism
Plagiarism is a particular form of cheating. Plagiarism must be avoided at all costs and
students who break the rules, however innocently, may be penalised. It is your
responsibility to ensure that you understand correct referencing practices. As a university
level student, you are expected to use appropriate references throughout and keep carefully
detailed notes of all your sources of materials for material you have used in your work,
including any material downloaded from the Internet. Please consult the relevant unit
lecturer or your course tutor if you need any further advice.
Student Declaration
Student declaration
I certify that the assignment submission is entirely my own work and I fully understand
the consequences of plagiarism. I understand that making a false declaration is a form
of malpractice.
Student signature: Phuong Date:

Higher Nationals -Assignment Feedback Form
Student Name/ID Bui Thi Thu Phuong (Elsie)
Unit Title Unit 25: Global Business Environment
Assignment Number 1 of 2 Assessor Ms Phuong Thao Nguyen
Submission Date 23th October, 2022 Date Received 1 st Submission
Re-submission Date Date Received 2 nd
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Pearson Education 2017
Higher Education Qualifications
Assignment Feedback Form

Table of Contents
Introduction............................................................................................................................1
Overview of the company.........................................................................................................2
Driving factors of globalization...............................................................................................4
Challenges of of these factors on the Milensea corporation.....................................................8
The influence of digital technology..........................................................................................9
Recommendation...................................................................................................................10
Conclusion............................................................................................................................11
Works Cited...........................................................................................................................12

Introduction
The potential of globalization is being fully tapped by international organizations. They are
expanding and concentrating on overseas markets in order to boost their financial growth and
market share. As the company expands, there are many challenges and obstacles to overcome.
In addition to a discussion of the main drivers of globalization and their impacts on the business
environment in terms of challenges and possibilities, this article discusses the difficulty of
functioning in a global setting.
This paper will go at the foundations of globalization and also provide a globalization concept.
Itwill also feature a PESTLE view of the organisation and a discussion of digital
technology'sserious influence on globalization. An introduction of globalization
problems as well as thestrategic issues experienced by the chosen corporation. Finally, it
will offer recommendations for how the organization might overcomethese challenges.

Overview of the company
McKinsey & Company, founded in 1926, is a multinational management consulting firm that
works with corporations, governments, non-governmental organizations, and nonprofits.
McKinsey and Company assists their clients by helping them improve their performance and
create critical goals. McKinsey acts as a business advisor or as an employee coach. McKinsey
and Company is a member of the "big trio" of management consulting firms and is well-known
throughout the world for its services.
McKinsey paid out more than $600 million in 2021 for his part in the drug crisis. According to a
New York Times article, McKinsey is being investigated for advising Purdue Pharma on how to
"accelerate" its opioid sales.
During our country's opioid epidemic, McKinsey advised PurduePharma on how to increase
sales of the narcotic medication Oxycontin. In addition to assisting the corporation in promoting
medicine sales, McKinsey advised Purdue Pharma on how to deal with drug enforcement limits.
Along with the monetary settlement, McKinsey was barred from working with additional
addictive medications, revealing any conflicts when bidding for state contracts, and making
documents linked to opioid activity public.