Exam Flashcards
3 considerations when measuring the economic environment of foreign markets?
Income - measured by GNI, Aus high, Ethiopia low - affects consumers ability to purchase
Infrastructure - services necessary for the economy to function, port of Singapore established for the busy trade
Geography - barriers created by natural elements, Norway building tunnels through mountainous terrain to reduce travel time
6 dimensions of Hoftsede
Power distance - Aus low
Individualism vs collectivism - Aus high
Masculine vs feminine - Aus high
Uncertainty avoidance - Aus mid
Long term vs short term - Aus low
Indulgence vs restraint - Aus high
What is political risk and give 3 examples of how it impacts business
Risk of change in political environment that affects a company’s ability to operate.
Caused by war, social unrest, social inequity, crime
How it impacts business:
- deter a company from investing overseas (eg Ukraine due to war)
- consumer purchase decisions (not buying made in Russia products)
- impact right to import/export (Australia putting sanctions on Russia eg no exporting of arms to Russia)
Advantages of e-commerce as a viable export strategy
- speed to market
- ability to test market in low quantities
- direct sales, no intermediaries required
- use of digital media as a point of contact with customers
- easy to access data/analytics
- a level playing field for small businesses to go international
- 24/7 business environment
Letter of credit
A letter from a bank guaranteeing that a buyers payment to a seller will be received on time and for the correct amount. If unable, the bank will cover the purchase.
Types of foreign direct investments from a market entry perspective
Joint ventures:
- entry strategy in which partners share ownership of the joint venture company
- can gain local knowledge may ease navigation around political regulations etc.
- splits risk and control 50/50
Mergers and Aquisitions:
- mergers and acquisitions of an existing foreign company
- major commitment of resources
- greater control but higher risk
- combined company becomes worth more than the 2 originally
- usually a faster way for a company to achieve higher revenues
- enables companies to diversify and reduce market risk
Power distance
Willingness to accept an unequal distribution of power
High: accepts that a boss is “above” workers eg Japan
Low: see each other as equals eg Australia
Individualism vs collectivism
If societies are integrated into groups and if people are dependent on groups
Individualism: people take care of themselves eg Australia
Collectivism: people are loyal to groups, pursue common goals eg Korea
Uncertainty avoidance
How uncertainty is tolerated
Hugh: steer clear of conflict and competition eg Japan
Low: people are more willing to take risks eg Australia
Masculinity vs femininity
Societies preference for success, achievement
Masculine: focus on performance, ambition and material success eg America
Feminine: emphasis on quality of life, relationships eg Switzerland
Aus sits in the middle
Long term vs short term orientation
Societies view of time
Long term: focus on long term success eg China
Short term: focus on the present eg Australia
Indulgence vs restraint
Indulgence: society values human needs and desires eg Australia
Restraint: withholds pleasures, maintains order eg South Korea
Letter of credit process
Procedure:
1. Exporter and importer agree on contract for sale of X
2. Importer applies for LC from issuing bank
3. Issuing bank sends LC to advising bank
4. Advising bank forwards LC to exporter
- Exporter ships goods to importer and sends shipment documents to advising bank
- Advising bank forwards shipment documents to issuing bank
- Issuing bank verifies documents and sends to importer
- Importer makes payment to exporter against shipment of goods
Why is a letter of credit used
- legally binding
- safe
- offer clarify
- highly detailed/transparent
- risk reduction, guaranteed payment
- safe trading in unfamiliar markets with unfamiliar suppliers
- efficient- can be done electronically
Disadvantages of e-commerce as a viable export strategy
- payment options (exchange rates)
- marketing can be spam, risk of hackers
- logistic issues, delivery costs
- customer service has to be 24/7
- legal: privacy issues
- some products are not suitable eg. Luxury (no buying experience), products you need to try in store, services