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Global Factors influencing Business Strategy - Lesson Plan: 2 x 1 hour lessons

A series of 'off the shelf' lesson plans and resources for use in the classroom. These lessons deal with Global Factors influencing Business Strategy and are relevant to the following specifications:

• AQA: Module 6, 15.1
• Edexcel: Unit 6, Section 2

Aim:

The aim of these lessons is to consider some of the global factors affecting decision making in a business. The Activity provides a loosely defined business scenario whereby the business is contemplating a strategic move into China. The range of issues that could influence the decision is significant and the student will be required to select a range of appropriate factors to bring to bear in a presentation on the possible routes for this firm.

There is no right or wrong answer to this Activity; the assessment should be placed on the ability of the student to evaluate the issues facing firms in such circumstances and the extent of the awareness of business issues in a global context in line with the learning objectives below.

Students should not, therefore, merely consider the issues facing the firm in China but the reasons why the firm might want to move into China, what the political, social, economic and technological issues might be and whether opportunities and factors from elsewhere in the world might impact on the decision.

The lessons are designed to end with students giving a presentation of their ideas; this can be done by individual students or carried out in small groups (no more than three) depending on preference.

Learning Objectives:

At the end of the sessions, students be able to:

• Identify four major global factors influencing strategic planning
• Show an understanding of the political, economic, social and technological issues facing firms seeking to expand into China
• Offer a coherent and well-researched presentation stating a clear business case related to the scenario
• Demonstrate confidence in oral and visual presentation skills using appropriate media

Resources:

• PowerPoint Presentation - Global Factors influencing Business Strategy [193 KB] (basic version also available for quicker download [104K])
• Mind Map - Global Factors influencing Business Strategy
• Activity - Global Factors influencing Business Strategy
• PCs for research
• Digital Projector
• Appropriate presentation media - PowerPoint or similar

Lesson Structure:

Lesson 1

1. Outline the task in the Activity and use the PowerPoint Presentation to outline the main areas for consideration. Stress the importance of thinking not only of the factors influencing decisions from within the country concerned (i.e. China in this case) but also the global forces that have a long term impact on decision making. (20 minutes)
2. Divide the students into appropriate groups and set them on task. (35 minutes)
3. Review main points of the lesson and outline plans for lesson 2. (5 minutes)

Lesson 2

Remind students of the plan for this lesson - 20 minutes to complete the presentation, 40 minutes for the presentations themselves (suggest the presentations last no more than 5 minutes each).

A further lesson can be set aside to allow students more time to prepare or to facilitate discussion of the issues and outcomes of the presentations.