Exam 1 Flashcards
Globalization
Integration of national economies through trade, investment, capital flow, labor migration, and technology.
Globalization of markets
Ongoing economic integration and growing interdependence of countries worldwide.
The merging of historically distinct and separate national markets into one huge global marketplace
In many markets today, the tastes and preferences of consumers in different nations are converging
International Business
Cross-border transactions of goods and services between two or more countries.
i. Consists of trade and transactions at a global level ii. Part of globalization iii. Elements 1) Globalization of markets 2) International trade 3) International investment 4) International business risks 5) Participants: firms, intermediaries, facilitators, governments 6) Foreign market entry strategies (exporting, foreign direct investment)
International Trade
Exchange of products and services across national borders; typically through exporting and importing
(Can involve products, services, capital, technology, know-how, and labor)
International Investment (FDI)
Transfer of assets to another country or acquisition of assets in that country. Also known as ‘foreign direct investment’
International Portfolio Investment
Passive ownership of foreign securities such as stocks and bonds, in order to generate financial returns
Two Key Facets of Globalization
- Globalization of Markets
2. Globalization of Production
Globalization of Production
Sourcing of goods and services from locations around the globe to take advantage of national differences in the cost and quality of factors of production (labor energy, land, capital)
Lower overall cost structure to improve the quality or functionality of the product to compete more effectively
Outcomes of Globalization
i. Declining barriers to cross-border trade and investment
ii. Advances in transportation and telecommunications
iii. Material culture similar all over the world
iv. National economies merging into integrated global economic system
v. Unprecedented growth and international trade
vi. Development of sophisticated global financial systems and mechanisms
vii. Greater collaboration among nations
viii. Low cost communication networks help create electronic marketplace
ix. Low cost transportation make it economical to ship products around the world
x. A reduction in cultural distance
xi. A convergence of consumer taste and preferences
Risks Associated with International Business
Cross Cultural Risks
Country Risks
Currency Risks
Financial Risks
Cross Cultural Risks (Examples)
i. Cultural differences
ii. Negotiation Patterns
iii. Decision-Making Styles
iv. Ethical Practices
Country Risks (Examples)
i. Government intervention, protectionism and barriers to trade and investment
ii. Bureaucracy, red tape, admin delays, corruption
iii. Lack of legal safeguards for property rights
iv. Unfavorable legislation
v. Economic failures
vi. Unrest and instability
Currency Risks (Examples)
i. Currency exposure - exchange rate fluctuations
ii. Asset Valuation - risk that exchange rate fluctuations will adversely affect value of firms assets and liabilities
iii. Taxation
iv. Inflation
Financial Risks
i. Weak Partners
ii. Operational problems
iii. Timing of entry
iv. Competitive intensity
v. Poor execution of strategy
Participants in International Business
Multinational Enterprise
Small and Medium Sized Enterprise
Born Global Firm
Non-governmental Organizations
Multinational Enterprise
Large company with substantial resources that performs various business activities through a network of subsidiaries and affiliates located in multiple countries.
Small and Medium Sized Enterprise
Smaller than 500 employees, comprising over 90% of all firms in most countries. SMEs increasingly engage in international business.
Born Global Firm
A young, entrepreneurial SME that undertakes substantial international business at or near its founding
Non-governmental Organizations
Many of these NPO’s conduct cross border activities. They pursue special causes and serve as advocates for social issues, education, politics and research
Why do firms participate in International Business?
a. Seek opportunities for growth through market diversification
b. Earn higher margins and profits
c. Gain new ideas about products, services and business methods
d. Serve key customers that have relocated abroad
e. Be closer to supply sources, benefit from global sourcing advantages or gain flexibility in sourcing of products
f. Gain access to lower-cost or better-value factors of production
g. Develop economies of scale in sourcing, production, marketing and R&D
h. Confront international competitors more effectively or thwart growth of competition in the home market
i. Invest in potentially rewarding relationship with foreign partner
GDP Calculation
GDP= Consumption + Gross Domestic Private Investment + Government Spending + Net Exports
Collectivism
System that stresses the primacy of collective goals over individual goals
Traces back to Pluto
Socialism (Karl Marx) - State ownership of basic means of production. Split into Communist and Social Democrats
Many fail to succeed
Communists
socialism could only be achieved through revolution and totalitarian dictatorship
Social Democrats
worked to achieve the same goals by democratic means
Individualism
Suggest individuals should have freedom over their economic and political pursuits.
Traced back to Aristotle, David Hume, Adam Smith, J.S. Mill, Milton Friedman, Friedrich von Hayek and James Buchanan
“Invisible Hand” -Adam Smith
Democracy
Political system in which government is by the people, exercised either directly through elected representatives
Most common form today
Totalitarian
Form of government in which one person or political party exercises absolute control and opposing parties are prohibited
Results:
- Political Oppression
- Censorship
- Denial of civil liberties
Market Economy
In economics, a pure free market is a system in which the prices for goods and services are determined by the open market and consumers, (the law and forces of supply and demand are free from any intervention by a government, price-setting monopoly, or other authority
Command Economy
System where the government, rather than the free market, determines what goods should be produced, how much should be produced and the price at which the goods are offered for sale. It also determines investments and income
Mixed Economy
1) Features characteristics of both capitalism and socialism
2) Has private property and allows level of economic freedom in the use of capital, but also allows governments to interfere with economic activities in order to achieve social aims.
3) Most modern economic feature a synthesis of two or more economic systems (mixed), with economies falling at some point along a continuum
4) Iceland, Sweden, France, UK, USA, Russia, China
Legal Systems
Refers to the rules, or laws, that regulate behavior, along with processes by which the laws of a country are enforced and through which redress for grievances is obtained
Importance of Legal Systems
i. Regulate business practice
ii. Define the manner in which business transactions are to be executed
iii. Set down the rights and obligations of those involved in the business transactions
Common Law
Based on tradition, precedent, and custom
Found in Great Britain former colonies
Civil Law
Based on detailed set of laws organized into codes
Found in more than 80 countries (Germany, France, Japan)
Theocratic Law
Based on religious teachings
Islamic law
Differences in Contract Law
i. In a common law state, contracts are very detailed with all contingencies spelled out
ii. In civil law, contracts are shorter and much less specific
United Nations Convention for the International Sale of Good
Treaty that is a uniform international sales law
Ratified in 89 states that account for a significant proportion of global trade, making it one of the most successful international uniform laws
CISG allows exporters to avoid choice of law issues, as the CISG offers “accepted substantive rules on which contracting parties, courts and arbitrators may rely”
Unless excluded, the CISG is deemed to be incorporated into any otherwise applicable laws with respect to a transaction in goods between parties from different states
Property Rights
Legal rights over the use to which a resources is put and over the use made of any income that may be derived from that resource
Corruption
Private or public dishonest actions by someone in authority, often to acquire personal benefit, (is present in all countries and may be more accepted in some).
Private action corruption examples
theft, piracy, blackmail, and the like by private individuals or groups
Public action corruption examples
officials force income or resources from property holders
Government or Political Corruption example
when an officeholder or other governmental employee acts in an official capacity for personal gain
Foreign Corrupt Practices
a) Limits corruption in U.S.
b) States that is illegal to bribe a foreign government official in order to obtain or maintain business over which the foreign official has authority
c) States that all publicly traded companies must keep detailed record so that it is clear whether a violation of the act has occurred
d) Facilitating or expediting payments to secure the performance of routine government actions are prohibited
Intellectual Property
Property that is the product of intellectual activity
Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property
Patents
gives the inventor exclusive rights to the manufacture, use or sale of that invention
Copyrights
exclusive legal rights to authors, composers, playwrights, artists, and publisher to publish and dispose of their work as they see fit
Trademark
designs and names, often officially registered, by which merchants or manufacturers designate and differentiate their products