Assessment of Bachelor’s thesis – Academic Consultant
Study programme:International Economic Relations Field of study:International Trade
Academic year:2021/2022
Bachelor’s thesis Topic:Internationalization in the period of Trump’s America First foreign policy Author’s name:Viktoriia Makarchuk
Ac. Consultant’s Name:Ing. Ilya Bolotov, MBA, Ph.D.
Opponent:Ing. Dominik Kohut
Criterion Mark
(1–4)
1. Overall objective achievement 2
2. Logical structure 2
3. Using of literature, citations 3
4. Adequacy of methods used 2
5. Depth of analysis 2
6. Self-reliance of author 3
7. Formal requirements: text, graphs, tables 2
8. Language and stylistics 3
Comments and Questions:
The bachelor thesis analyzes the impact of Trump’s (neo)protectionist trade policy on international
activities of U.S. companies with focus on Harley-Davidson Inc. whose expansion to Asia was thwarted by the U.S. withdrawing from the TPP agreement. The idea and the research question behind the thesis are therefore topical and it is clear that the author is not afraid of working on challenging topics. Unfortunately, despite all the ”heroic” efforts on her side and on mine as of the supervisor, there are still some problems remaining. Firstly, the thesis never returns to the research question stated in the introduction which makes it difficult to understand whether it was answered or not. Secondly, the second (theoretical) chapter, which is supposed to be the link between trade policy and company activities, is not well integrated into the thesis. Thirdly, there is still some remaining confusion of terms, namely of ”internalization” and
”internationalization” (consult p. 41, 42 and 44). Finally, the formal side of the thesis is not up to standards:
a) chapter 3 does not start on a new page, b) tables and graphs are split between pages, and, most importantly, c) some citations do not have proper form (p. 36) and most are not ISO 690 (certain sources like ”The Guardian” could also be avoided). While most of these issues are minor, together they contribute to a worse grade. Despite the above mentioned, I would like to congratulate the author on finding time and strength to overcome the numerous deficiencies and prepare the thesis for its defense. I recommend this thesis for defense with the gradevery goodorgood, depending on the presentation and answers to the questions posed in reviews.
Questions for the defense:
1. How successful were the U.S. companies in internationalization before President D. J. Trump? Was there a U.S. equivalent of Nestlé?
2. Can the new Presidential administration return to the pre-”America First” state in the U.S. trade policy?
If so, what consequences will this decision have? For the world economy? For U.S. companies?
Conclusion: The Bachelor’s thesis is recommended for the defence.
Suggested Grade: 2
Date: 15/12/2021 Ing. Ilya Bolotov, MBA, Ph.D.
Academic Consultant
