For this assignment, you will be doing research on the country of MEXICO.
Next, please write your report by following the instructions below carefully – please note that you will lose points if you do not provide all the information asked for. This assignment is worth a total of 205 points, and the breakup is shown in the section requirements below. It is due by midnight on Sunday, October 4.
1.) History and Background Information (25 points)
This section should be about 1-2 pages (double-spaced) and contain the following information:
a) Long-term (ancient / medieval) history of the country (2-3 paragraphs)
b) Recent history and its implications for foreign companies already in or seeking to enter the country (1-2 paragraphs)
c) Basic background information:
-Size in area and population
-GDP, GDP per capita, and based on purchasing power parity; recent GDP growth rate
-Demographics ethnic groups, religion, education level, urban/rural divide, prosperity level, gender divide.
-Major exports, imports and trading partners
-Major industries.
2.) Political Institutions (40 points; 1-2 pages)
a) Description of the countrys political system and elements that constitute the government at different levels
b) Countrys score on the Economist Intelligence Units 2019 Democracy Index (http://www.eiu.com/topic/democracy-index (Links to an external site.)) – download the free White Paper to see the ranking for your chosen country. What are the implications of this score, its sub-scores and trends over time?
c) The current political situation – including current leadership and important political issues facing the country. What is the incidence and role of political influence and interference for domestic and foreign businesses?
d) Foreign relations and their implications for business.
3.) Economic institutions (40 points; 1-2 pages):
a) Description of the countrys economic system and current situation: describe economic institutions such as the central bank, ministry of trade, etc. How active are they and what are their major policies?
b) What is the countrys current economic situation in terms of the growth rate, unemployment, and other economic indicators?
c) What is the country’s currency? When was it established? What is the current exchange rate (against the US dollar or the Euro)? What have recent currency trends been?
d) Countrys score and rank on the Index of Economic Freedom (http://www.heritage.org/index/ranking (Links to an external site.)). Implications?
e) Relevant information from the countrys fact sheet in the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) World Investment Report 2020 (https://unctad.org/en/PublicationsLibrary/wir2020_en.pdf (Links to an external site.)). Implications?
4. Legal institutions (40 points; 1-2 pages):
a) Description of the countrys legal system, structure and current situation.
b) Legal factors to be considered for foreign businesses. Are there differences in the way domestic and foreign businesses are treated?
c) Countrys rank on the World Justice Projects Rule of Law Index 2020 (https://worldjusticeproject.org/sites/default/files/documents/WJP-ROLI-2020-Online_0.pdf (Links to an external site.)). Implications?
d) Countrys score on Transparency Internationals Corruption Perception Index 2019 (https://www.transparency.org/en/cpi/2019/results (Links to an external site.)). Implications?
5. Overall evaluation of the country as a business destination (25 points; half to over 1 page):
Implications pressures, constraints and possibilities of the above factors for foreign companies already in or seeking to enter the country; and anything else you think is relevant. This section calls for an overall consideration, summarizing and analysis of pressures / constraints and opportunities for foreign companies to do business in this country. Please be thoughtful and detailed – keep in mind that this section is worth 25 points!
6. Formatting (20 points)
a) Include headings and page numbers
b) Use 12-point Times New Roman Font, double-spaced, with 1-inch margins
c) DO NOT copy and paste from a source use your own language. A direct quote should be enclosed in quotation marks, with a source citation. Make sure that such quotes are no longer than three or four sentences, and used not more than once or twice in each section. Plagiarism can lead you to be reported for academic dishonesty. Please refer to the UM System’s Collected Rules for Standards of Conduct: https://www.umsystem.edu/ums/rules/collected_rules/programs/ch200/200.010_standard_of_conduct (Links to an external site.)
d) Please include in-text citations. I will deduct points if these are missing.
e) Provide a list of references or works cited at the end of the paper. You can use either MLA or APA style for your citations and references. Use these resources for how format a list of references at the end of the paper:
APA (https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/ (Links to an external site.))
MLA (https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/01/ (Links to an external site.))
f) You may include charts, graphs and figures (be sure to acknowledge the source by providing a link or a citation to it) within the body of the paper if you like these will not count against the page limits.
g) Do check carefully to ensure good grammar and spelling. I will let a few errors slide but cut points if there are many.
h) Do make sure that the paper flows well.
i) You are welcome to make the paper more visually interesting with the judicious use of photographs etc. Remember to keep it easy to read!
