Final Research Paper
Being able to express your ideas and plans with the written word is something that is learned as you
progress along your academic path. Even in the professional world, the success of any proposal, or plan,
is largely weighted on how clearly it is presented. You are expected to follow the requirements and topic
guidelines below. All papers are submitted to SafeAssign, which is a plagiarism-checking tool. If you have
questions about documenting or citing sources, please consult the Academic Resources link in the
course. Writing help is also available from the Online Writing Center.
Assignment Requirements: APA Format (cover page, bibliography page, etc.)
8-10 pages required (not including cover page, abstract or bibliography page)
Abstract
Answer the assignment
Be well organized and concise.
Be supported by research from literature, class readings, presentations, and discussions.
Use appropriate grammar (sentence structure, spelling, paragraph development and free of
typos).
Written papers will be graded for organization, content, fluency, grammar, and ability to follow
directions.
Proper APA citations
An Ann notated bibliography of sources used to develop this paper per APA format.
At least five (5) references are required. Two from your book.
Address an appropriate topic (see below)
Present an original argument/claim formulated from what you’ve learned in class (as well as
what you learned by conducing library research) that is supported by citing sources.
Less than 20% of your paper should be directly quoted from sources of any kind
You MAY NOT use a paper from another class from Southwestern or any other college. As a
student, you are getting credit for each class and for doing the work in each class.
First and foremost the topic of your research paper must relate back to this course. If you write about a
particular company/companies, use the perspective of a company owner/executive who is heavily
invested (in monetary, stock, sonority, etc.). Avoid using the perspective of an employee. Do not use a
company you are currently employed with; we do not want to share proprietary information.
To get started, review the book to see if one of the chapters, case studies or theories interests you. You
can do a topic or study an international company postulating what has made them successful or not (Ex:
Mary Kay, McDonald’s, Starbucks or even Wal Mart). Other possible topics:
The result of the Chinese Yuan un-pegged from dollar is …
Expatriates can/cannot really succeed Barriers to trade are …
The impact of the US in China’s emergence is…
A brief history of US stock exchange rules along with an original argument related to those rules
Pros and cons of outsourcing and off shoring
An original argument related to Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)
The impact of trade on economic development is …
Cross-cultural challenges in international business are …
The prospects of continued globalization are …
The gold standard would/would not work
The IMF (International Monetary Fund)works/does not work
Pros and cons of the IMF
The World Trade Organization is/is not useful in ____ way(s)
Consider and make an original argument related to the issues of trade, direct foreign investment,
balance of payments, and comparative advantage.
In what way(s) does politics hurt/help international trade (exchange rates are affected, trade
embargoes, tariffs, etc.)
An analysis of foreign economics, cultural, and political environments and their impact on
international business
Another instructor-approved topic
