You are on page 1of 4

International Trade - Guidelines for the Individual Project One Deliverables-Deadlines: Email me your project topic by 10th of September

2013. You must get an approval for selected topic before proceeding further. First draft of your project must be submitted by 10th of October 2013. Final version is due 10th of November 2013, which includes PPT or Multimedia presentation or any presentable format if possible and bibliography. Project length: The project consists of a presentation that consist of no more than 50 PowerPoint slides; an executive summary (not to exceed 1000 words); and a bibliography consisting of a list of references that were used to construct the presentation slides. Please provide complete description of each reference and identify the slide number(s) in the presentation that utilize information from the source. Project-evaluation: The maximum number of points for the project is 100. The criteria that will be used to evaluate the project are by nature subjective. The presentation should demonstrate clearly the problem analyzed and the solution proposed; it should use concepts and techniques of the class sessions to arrive at the conclusion(s). The evaluation of the project will be based on its clarity, effectiveness of answering questions, content of Power Point slides, effectiveness of communicating the basic ideas to the rest of the class and their academic value and the course-based concepts and techniques used during the presentation. Possible overlaps: If there is a possible overlap between this project and project(s) for other courses, it is each students responsibility to notify me about the nature of the overlap. I would like to avoid having the same project used for more than one classes. Suggestions for formulating possible project topics: The general idea of the project is to evaluate a managerial decision of a firm using concepts and techniques learnt in International Trade course. What follows is a list of suggestions to help you formulate a topic. Please make sure you choose a real/feasible company/product for your project. (1) Competitive strategy in International Market: This suggestion requires reading in advance the relevant chapters from the textbook. Your task is to choose a company and formulate its medium and long run strategy
1

that could increase its international market share and profitability within its industry. You will need to describe the company (its size, product type, technology, etc) and its industry in terms of market structure and conduct. The focus of your report should be the firms competitive strategy to survive and expand in global markets, keeping in mind the current status of global markets, relevant government policies and trade agreements, influence of relevant institutions (WTO, IMF, etc), relevant macroeconomic variables (foreign exchange rates, balance of payment, balance of trade), etc. (2) Market Feasibility Study (for International Market): This suggestion requires reading in advance the relevant chapters from the textbook. Your task is to choose a product and/or process innovation and write a marketfeasibility study for international markets. The study should include an analysis of demand conditions (substitute, complement products, growth potential etc), possible costs, production and distribution, marketing etc. Here also youll need to study all macroeconomic variable, relevant macroeconomic policies, trade agreements and international trade institutions. You are not expected to write a complete business plan due to time constraints. Research sources: A list of research sources would be provided to students. Every individual should create a portfolio (available upon request) consisting of copies of all newspaper or magazine articles used in the presentation. A topic should not be pursued unless there is sufficient information available to evaluate the decision. Firms will not give out much information, which is not publicly available, and the information they do give out should be viewed with skepticism. You will have to use your own JUDGEMENT. The project should focus on critically evaluating a firms decision, not on reporting the firms history. Questions to be addressed in your project: 1. If youre considering entering the world of global trade by starting your own import/export business, ask yourself these important questions to see if ready to commit your time and money to the venture: 2. Why are you thinking of starting a business, and what makes you think youll be successful? 3. How much money will you invest and how much will you earn? 4. Will you be starting part time or full time? 5. Do you plan to import, export, or both? 6. Will you work as an agent or a merchant?
2

7. What will be your company name and form of organization? 8. Where will your base of operations be? Where will you locate your office? 9. What will be your business telephone number, mailing address, and fax number? 10.What type of products will you choose to deal in? 11.Who will be your suppliers? What companies will you deal with? In what countries? 12.Who will be the consumers/users and buyers of your products? 13.How will you handle distribution? Set prices? Promote yourself and your products? 14.Which method(s) of international payment will you use? 15.Which means of international transportation and insurance will you use? Which shipping terms? 16.Who will be your bank? Your insurance company? Your Customs agent? Your freight forwarder? 17.Which Indian and foreign government policies and regulations will you be concerned with? 18.What sources of information and assistance are available as you begin and as your business grows? If you are IMPORTING any product/ service: 1. Why do you want to import this product? 2. Mention data on world trade in the product of your choice, major world exporters/importers, major producers of that product, leading global firms buying and selling the product, commodity exchanges trading the product, 3. Data on international trade in product for India 4. From where do you want to import? Why? Does India have a trade treaty or agreement with that country? 5. How would you export? - the procedures/rules/regulations of India and the source country 6. Indias foreign trade policy / EXIM policy regarding this product 7. What is the impact of Foreign Exchange Rate fluctuations on your import? 8. What are the major risks involved? 9. What are major issues/problems in the product trade? 10.What would you do to increase your profit margin? - think of supply chain, import rules and regulations for the product, etc. 11.Which supply chain intermediaries and facilitators would you use to improve efficiency and cut cost? 12.Who would you sell the product to in India? Why?
3

13.Your own ideas and inputs, any new business model If you are EXPORTING any product/ service: 1. Why do you want to export this product? 2. Mention data on world trade in the product of your choice, major world exporters/importers, major producers of that product, leading global firms buying and selling the product, commodity exchanges trading the product, 3. Data on international trade in this product for India 4. Where do you want to export? Why? Does India have a trade treaty or agreement with that country? 5. How would you export? - the procedures/rules/regulations of India and the destination country 6. Indias foreign trade policy / EXIM policy regarding this product 7. What is the impact of Foreign Exchange Rate fluctuations on your export? 8. What are the major risks involved? 9. What are major issues/problems in the product trade? 10.What would you do to increase your profit margin? - think of supply chain, export rules and regulations for the product, etc. 11.Which supply chain intermediaries and facilitators would you use to improve efficiency and cut cost? 12.Who would you sell the product to in the destination country? Why? 13.Your own ideas and inputs, any new business model

You might also like