Project Plan: Joint Venture Analysis for Marks & Spencer's Expansion

This project plan examines the risks and benefits of joint ventures for Marks & Spencer's (M&S) international market entry, specifically focusing on its partnership with Reliance in India. The project begins with an introduction to joint ventures, defining their purpose and distinguishing them from partnerships, followed by outlining the aims and objectives of the study, which include identifying the benefits and challenges of entering international markets through joint ventures. The scope and limitations of the research are defined, acknowledging constraints in data availability and research experience. The plan details resource and cost considerations, outlining the need for primary and secondary data, along with the allocated budget. A Gantt chart is provided to visualize the project timeline, and potential risks associated with the research, such as lack of knowledge, time constraints, and ethical considerations, are addressed. The project concludes with references to online sources used in the research. The study aims to provide insights for companies looking to expand internationally through joint ventures, offering a framework for understanding the complexities and potential of such strategies.

PROJECT PLAN

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Topic: To identify risks and benefits of joint venture for entering international markets- A study
on Marks & Spencer........................................................................................................................3
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
TASK 1: Project plan.......................................................................................................................3
Background of topic....................................................................................................................3
Aim and objectives .....................................................................................................................3
Scope and Limitations ................................................................................................................3
Resources and cost consideration................................................................................................4
Market.........................................................................................................................................4
Gantt Chart..................................................................................................................................5
Risk of proposed research ..........................................................................................................7
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................7

Topic: Risks and benefits of joint business ventures in international markets
INTRODUCTION
TASK 1: Project plan
Background of topic
Joint venture is referred as business arrangement where two or more parties agree for
pooling resources to attain particular objectives or goals. This term is not similar to agreement of
partnership due to definite end as it lays emphasis on single project or undertaking. In simple
words, it is cooperative enterprise entered into more than 2 business entities with objective of
project along with other business activity. Usually business form joint venture to combine
resources, expertise and to save money as well.
Marks & Spencer offers high quality fashion clothing as it is major British retailer which
is headquartered in Westminster, London and has expertise in clothing, home products and
luxury food products. There will be joint venture of Marks & Spencer with Reliance in India as
Joint venture.
Aim and objectives
Aims: To identify risks and benefits of joint venture for entering international markets- A study
on Marks and Spencer
Objectives:
 To determine the concept and term of joint venture.
 To articulate benefits of joint venture to enter internation markets.
 To identify challenges faced by business for global business expansion.
 To give recommendations about entering in global markets with application of joint
venture.
Scope and Limitations
Scope: In the present study, there will be representation of brief background of joint
venture with its risks and limitations and overview about Marks and Spencer which is expanding
its business overseas in Japan. In the same series, it will articulate about its aims and objective
and then limitations of study. Further, small scale research would be conducted, information
gatherings and data collection and then communicating outcome from data analysis. This
research has a great scope as the data of this research can be used by other companies which
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want to enter in the international markets through joint ventures. Also, it can be used as a
secondary source of data for future researchers conducting research on same topic.
Limitations of study: This business expansion is very recent as there is lack of extensive
data for primary data collection which will be collected in the form of interviews. Lack of past
studies in areas of research related to impact of Brexit. In the same series, there is lack of
experience for performing research and academic papers of large size on individual basis. With
context of secondary data, there is requirement of authenticate access which is not available and
time constraint is major limitation.
Resources and cost consideration
There is requirement of both primary in the form of questionnaires and secondary
resources for analysing risk and benefits for global business expansion with context of joint
venture such as Scholarly articles, books and journals and data from senior and junior manager.
For conducting research, there is requirement of laptop, mobile, Wi-fi or internet connectivity,
research facilities, information technology infrastructure services, library collection and
stationery. The budget assigned for this research project is approximately 2500 pounds.
Market
On recent basis, M&S's grocery arm served as growth engine with apparel operation at
long decline. Conversely, India is attractive market for M$S due to resonance of brand within
Commonwealth country. This joint venture with reliance Industries has expanded at steady clip
with context of revenues and stores as well. With context to Reliance retail is referred as
appropriate partner with extensive local experience and expertise with strength of logistics,
technology, property and infrastructure (Graham Ruddick, 2019).
Gantt Chart
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Risk of proposed research
While conducting this study, there are various risk related conducting this research one of
the major risk was lack proper knowledge and skills for conducting this research. Another risk
was the time as this research has to be completed on time as it turned out to be a time consuming
process. Also, developing a proper aim and objectives for this research was also a major as entire
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research depended on them. Furthermore, the most important research involves human subjects,
confidentiality of determined information presumes and maintained with investigator which
attains permission of subject. Last but not least is very significant such as legal risk which exists
when research method is subject to others and liable for violation of law through revealing
subject. Marks and Spencer has directly pledged for making India as biggest market outside UK
as with hope of 80 stores by year 2016. On basis of rivals, it had faced competition through local
and international retailers such as Zara, James Munson, Crew Clothing, New look group and
many more. These risks can be mitigated by developing a proper project management strategies
for this project and focusing on the aims and objectives of the research.
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REFERENCES
Online
Graham Ruddick. 2019. Marks & Spencer's plans to make India biggest overseas market.
[Online]. Available through
<https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/retailandconsumer/10440831/Marks-and-
Spencers-plans-to-make-India-biggest-overseas-market.html>.
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