BANKING ACADEMY, HANOI

BTEC HND IN BUSINESS (FINANCE)

ASSIGNMENT COVER SHEET

NAME OF STUDENT
REGISTRATION NO.
UNIT TITLE Unit 3: Business Environment
ASSIGNMENT TITLE Multinationals in Vietnam Environment
ASSIGNMENT NO 1 of 2
NAME OF ASSESSOR Ms. Mary Eloisa Esmenda
SUBMISSION DEADLINE 22 November 2010

I, __________________________ hereby confirm that this assignment is my own work and not
copied or plagiarized from any source. I have referenced the sources from which information is
obtained by me for this assignment.

________________________________ _________________________

Signature Date

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FOR OFFICIAL USE
Assignment Received By: Date:

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Unit Outcomes

Evidence for Assessor’s Internal

Outcome Feedback
the criteria decision Verification

Identify the
mission, values
and key
objectives of an
a
organization
and assess the
influence of
Identify the stakeholders
mission,
objectives
and Evaluate the
responsibilitie extent to which
s of an an organization
organization achieves the b
within its objectives of
environment three
stakeholders
(1)
Explain the
responsibilities
of an
organization c
and strategies
employed to
meet them

Explain how
economic
systems attempt
to allocate and a
make effective
use of
resources

Investigate Discuss the

the impact of social
economic, welfare and
social and industrial
global policy initiatives b
environment on
organisations
in which and the wider
organisations community
operate
Evaluate the
impact of macro
(2) economic policy
measures and
the influence of
the global c
economy on
UK-based
organisations
and
stakeholders

Merit grades awarded M1 M2 M3

Distinction grades awarded D1 D2 D3

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 Evidence for Assessor’s Internal
Outcome Feedback
the criteria decision Verification

Comments by Assessor - Common Skills

A B C D E F G

Assignment
( ) Well-structured; Reference is done properly / should be done (if any)

Overall, you’ve

Areas for improvement:

ASSESSOR SIGNATURE DATE / /

NAME: ..........................................................................................
(Oral feedback was also provided)
STUDENT SIGNATURE DATE / /

NAME : .............................................................................
FOR INTERNAL USE ONLY
VERIFIED YES NO

DATE : ...........................................................................
VERIFIED BY : ...........................................................................
NAME : ...........................................................................

COMMON SKILLS & COMPETENCIES ASSESSED (indicated by X)

A. MANAGING & DEVELOPING SELF D. MANAGING TASKS & SOLVING PROBLEMS

1. Managing own roles & responsibilities X 12. Use information sources X
2. Manage own time in achieving objectives X 13. Deal with a combination of routine & non-routine tasks
3. Undertakes personal and career development 14. Identify & solve routine & non-routine problems
4. Transfer skills gained to new/changing situations & contexts
B. WORKING WITH & RELATING TO OTHERS E. APPLYING NUMERACY
5. Treat others beliefs and opinions with respect 15. Applying numerical skills and techniques
6. Relate & interact effectively with individuals & groups
7. Work effectively as a team member F. APPLYING TECHNOLOGY
C. COMMUNICATING 16. Use a range of technological equipment and systems
8. Receive and respond to a variety of information X G. APPLYING DESIGN AND CREATIVITY
9. Present information in a variety of visual forms 17. Applying a range of skills and techniques to develop a
variety of ideas in the creation of new / modified products, X
10. Communicate in writing X services or situations
11. Participate in oral & no-verbal communication 18. Use a range of thought processes

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SCENARIO

Multinational corporations (MNCs) cannot afford to skip Vietnam: Asia’s youngest

market. For multinational retailers and consumer goods companies, Vietnam is an
attractive consumer society. The economy is growing briskly and sustainably, and
the population is adding a million people a year. Even more important, the country's
middle class, now 7 million households, is growing fast. Vietnam's literacy rate is
92.5%, and from 2003 to 2008 the number of college and university students nearly
doubled. The cities, though mostly small, are expanding rapidly. Six of them--Can
Tho, Da Nang, Haiphong, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Nha Trang--account for 40%
of the country's sales, according to AC Nielsen estimates from 2007.

The Vietnamese government estimates that retail sales reached $39.1 billion in
2009--almost twice as high as five years earlier. And the country has room to grow:
Per capita retail sales, at $450, are among the lowest in Asia. Setting up shop in
Vietnam, however, isn't easy. The market is fragmented and difficult to reach, and
although 100% foreign-owned retailers can register for an operating license, they are
generally allowed to open only one outlet. To expand further, they must pass an
"economic needs test," in which the government analyzes a new project's economic
impact. The test gives local governments an effective--and sometimes arbitrary--veto
over new developments. Such regulations are legal and relatively common under
WTO guidelines. Even so, they are more broadly applied in Vietnam than in most
other countries, limiting access to the domestic market.

Advocates of multinational corporations (MNCs) say they create jobs and wealth and
improve technology in countries that are in need of such development like Vietnam.
On the other hand, critics say multinationals can have undue political influence over
governments, can exploit developing nations as well as create job losses in their own
home countries.

You have provided with information indication some of the issues around the
functioning of the MNC. Using these and other sources which you may be able to
obtain, analyze MNC in the following areas:

Task 1

You are to prepare a self-titled, creative business magazine/newsletter focusing

on your selected multinational company. For Volume 1, the contents would include
the following:

 You are required to identify the mission, values and objectives of selected
organization and assess the influence of stakeholders (1 a)

 Evaluate the extent to which selected organization achieves the objectives of

three stakeholders (1 b)

 Explain the responsibilities of the selected organization and strategies employed

to meet them (1 c)

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Task 2

Vietnam began to liberalize its economy in the 1980s, when the country’s leaders
launched doi moi (or ―renovation‖). It was only after President Clinton lifted the U.S.
trade embargo in 1994, though, that multinationals began to pile in. Since then,
Vietnam has taken off. In 2007 it joined the World Trade Organization—just in time
for the global financial crisis. The country weathered the storm well, posting 5%
growth in 2009. This year should be even better. As a role of business
correspondent, you are required to write an article on the following areas and create
Volume 2 of your self-titled, creative business magazine/newsletter:

 Explain how economic systems in your country (Viet Nam) attempt to allocate
and make effective use of resources available within the country (2 a)

 Discuss the impact of social welfare and industrial policy initiatives on selected
organizations and the wider community (2 b)

 Evaluate the impact of macro-economic policy (fiscal and monetary policy)

measures and influence of the global economy on selected organization and
stakeholders in your country (2 c)

Compile Volume 1 and Volume 2 as one report. You have to maintain the
standard contents of the report such as cover sheet, table of contents, executive
summary, introduction, main body, conclusions, references, appendices (if
applicable). You could add photos or anything related to your chosen multinational
company to make the report more attractive.

(Each student is assigned with one of the following Company Profiles.)

COMPANY PROFILE 1

Website: www.unilevervn.com

Activities:
Unilever Vietnam is committed to ―adding Vitality to life‖ of the Vietnamese people through
provision of a wide range of international quality and affordable priced products in health,
hygiene and nutrition. Many of Unilever Vietnam’s brands have become #1 household
brands in Vietnam, including Omo, Sunlight, Dove, Sunsilk, Clear, Lux, Close-up, Lipton,
Viso, Sunsilk, P/S and Knorr.

Unilever Vietnam is currently operating a factory in Cu Chi while maintaining contract

manufacturing relationship with various local SMEs. It has developed an extensive local

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network of distributors and retailers. Unilever Vietnam employs more than 1,500 people
directly and over 6,000 people indirectly. Unilever Vietnam is also well respected for its
active contributions to social and community programs across Vietnam, which has helped to
improve life for millions of people in Vietnam. In April 2005, Unilever Vietnam was honored
by the President of the State the Second Rank Labour Medal for its excellent business
performance and contribution to the socio-economic development of Vietnam.

Description:
Starting operation in Vietnam in 1995, Unilever has invested more than USD 120 millions in
two companies in Vietnam: Unilever Vietnam JV Company, specializing in Home and
Personal Care brands, and Unilever Vietnam Company Ltd. specializing in Oral Care
products and Foods and Tea-based Beverages.

COMPANY PROFILE 2

Website: www.pg.com

Activities:
P&G Vietnam specializes in Hair Care, Personal Care, Laundry, Fabric Conditioner,
Feminine Care, Baby Care, Men Grooming and Oral Care. Currently, it has one of the
largest and strongest portfolios of trusted brands, including Pantene, H&S, Rejoice, Tide,
Downy, Pringles, Whisper, Olay, Gillette, and Oral B.

P&G Vietnam is committed to ―Touching Lives, Improving Lives‖ of the Vietnamese people
by providing a wide range of high quality products at affordable prices. It is also well
respected for active contributions to social and community programs across Vietnam. In
2007 & 2008, P&G was awarded Top 40 Best Performing Foreign Investment by the Saigon
Times Group.

Description:
Procter & Gamble Vietnam (P&G Vietnam) is a subsidiary of the Procter & Gamble
Company, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA. P&G is one of the world’s largest consumer product
companies, with annual sales of more than USD 78 Billions, market capitalization of USD
200 Billions. It has over 138,000 employees working in over 80 countries worldwide.

P&G started its Vietnam operation in 1995, with chartered capital of more than USD 80
Millions. It has a full-fledged global standard manufacturing facility serving both local and
export demand located in Binh Duong Province.

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GRADING

Pass is achieved by meeting all the requirements defined in the assessment

criteria.

Merit Identify and apply strategies to find appropriate solutions. (M1)

Characteristics / Possible Evidence – An effective approach to study and
research used to investigate economic, social and global environment affect
selected organization as well as organization responsibilities against its
stakeholders.

Select and apply appropriate techniques. (M2)

Characteristics / Possible Evidence – Students reviewed the relevant theories
that are applied to the practical case. Various sources of information used
related to set tasks.

Present and communicate appropriate findings (M3)

Characteristics / Possible Evidence – An appropriate structure and approach
have been used to prepare a report. Present data using a range of methods
e.g. tables, diagrammatical and graphical forms.

Distinction Use critical reflection to evaluate own work and justify valid conclusions (D1)
Characteristics / Possible Evidence – Creation has been used to generate
and justify valid comments based on investigation selected organization,
economic, social and global environment.

Take responsibility for managing and organising activities (D2)

Characteristics / Possible Evidence – Demonstrates substantial investigations
have planned, managed and organized for selected organization related to
objectives and responsibilities of an organization as well as its environment.

Demonstrate convergent, lateral and creative thinking (D3)

Characteristics / Possible Evidence – An innovative and creative thought has
been used to identify mission, objectives and responsibilities of selected
organization as well as investigate related economic, social and global
environment affects selected organisation.

Common Skills Grading

To achieve a PASS, student’s answers should display receive and respond to a variety of
information, legible and neat written of work, different sources of information used widely and
use technological equipment to aid problem solving.

To achieve a MERIT, student’s answers should display clear and appropriate respond to
variety of information, legible, clear and neat written of work, clear variety of information
sources used and confident in using equipment and gained knowledge from use of
equipment.

To achieve a DISTINCTION, student’s answers should display clear understanding, further

research undertaken; work is well structured with evidence of planning, wide range of
information sources used and willingness to use a variety of equipment to find best solution.

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PRESENTATION

1. The assignment should have a cover page that includes the assignment title,
assignment number, course title, module title, Lecturer/tutor name and student’s
name. Attach all the pages of assignment brief/cover sheet and leave them blank for
official use.

2. Ensure that authenticity declaration has been signed.

3. This is an individual assignment.

4. Content sheet with a list of all headings and page numbers.

5. A fully typed up professionally presented report document. Use 12 point Arial or

Times New Roman script.

6. Your assignment should be word-processed to 3,000 words in length. A CD should

be included with references and accompanying notes.

7. Use the Harvard referencing system.

8. Exhibits/appendices are outside this limit.

9. The assignment should not contain a bibliography – but should contain a list of any
references used in the assignment.

NOTES TO STUDENTS FOR SUMMISSION

 Check carefully the submission date and the instructions given with the assignment.
Late assignments will not be accepted.
 Ensure that you give yourself enough time to complete the assignment by the due
date.
 Do not leave things such as printing to the last minute – excuses of this nature will
not be accepted for failure to hand-in the work on time.
 You must take responsibility for managing your own time effectively.
 If you are unable to hand in your assignment on time and have valid reasons such as
illness, you may apply (in writing) for an extension.
 Failure to achieve a PASS grade will results in a REFERRAL grade being given.
 Take great care that if you use other people’s work or ideas in your assignment, you
properly reference them in your text and any bibliography.
 NOTE: If you are caught plagiarizing, you could have your grade reduced to
zero, or at worst, you could be excluded from the course.