November 1 Flashcards

1
Q

The 3 objects in international business the competitive advantage depends on?

A
  • efficiency
  • flexibility
  • learning
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2
Q

Standartization vs. Differenziation

A

Standartization:

Pressure for integration and cost reduction

Differentiation:

Pressure for local responsiveness (Ansprechbarkeit)

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3
Q

When are

pressure for global integration and cost reduction are the greatest?

A
  • industries which produce commoditiy type products (price is the main competitive weapon)
  • whe major competitiors based in low cost locations
  • where there is persistent excess capacity and price pressure
  • where consumers are powerful and face low switching costs
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4
Q

Pressure for local responsiveness arise from?

A
  • differences in consumer tastes and preferances
  • differences in traditional practices and infrastrucuture
  • differences in distribution channels
  • host-government demands
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5
Q

Global Industries

vs.

Multidomestic

Industries

A

Global Industries:

  • handful of major players that compete head-on in multiple markets
  • competition takes place on a regional or worldwide basis

Multidomestic Industries:

  • Unique set of competitiors in every industry
  • competition takes place on a country-by-country basis
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6
Q

The four archetypes of international strategy:

A
  • international strategy
  • localization strategy
  • global strategy
  • transnational strategy
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7
Q

International Strategy

in Detail

(low cost pressure / low local responsiveness)

A

» Treatment of foreign markets

- Take products produced for the domestic market and sell them internationally with only minimal local customization.

  • Markets with low competition, more homogenous and similar customer needs, niche markets
  • Foreign markets are often similar to the domestic one (low psychic distance).

» Traditional MNC Cultural Orientation

  • Ethnocentric: focus on values, processes and resources of the domestic company and replicate.

» Value Chain

  • Critical elements of value chain stay centralized at home (R&D, procurement, production), local marketing and sales but under tight control from headoffice
  • Generally no adaptation to foreign markets, products are marketed through intermediaries.

» Rationale

  • Transferring core competencies of the company (products/services) to locations where local competitors lack them.
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8
Q

Localization Strategy

in Detail

(high responsiveness / low cost pressure)

A

» Treatment of foreign markets

- Increase profitability by customizing goods or services so that they match tastes and conditions in local markets (world as a grid of national markets).

  • In local industries.
  • Autonomous subsidiaries pursue local responsiveness and localized strategy.

» Traditional MNC Cultural Orientation

  • Polycentric: focus on values and interests of the local culture in the served markets

» Value Chain

  • Value Chain is flexibly organized according to needs of different national markets
  • Critical elements are positioned in the local market (R&D, production, procurement,

marketing), decentralized and with authority to adapt to local market conditions.

» Rationale

  • Minimizing political and exchange rate risks
  • Greater prestige through local/customized elements
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9
Q

Global Standartization

Strategy in Detail

(High cost pressure / low local responsiveness)

A

» Treatment of foreign markets

  • *- World is seen as single integrated market
  • No or min differences in consumer preferences from country to country**

(“Why not make the same thing, the same way, everywhere?”)

  • Traditional MNC Cultural Orientation
  • Geocentric: focus on global values and universal needs

» Value Chain

  • Concentration of critical value chain activities (R&D, production and marketing) in headquarters or in the few most favorable key locations, central control over operations.
  • No or minimum customization applied.

» Rationale

  • Increase profitability through minimum repetition, maximum efficiency and integration worldwide, improved quality through standardization.
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10
Q

Transnational Strategy

in Detail

(High Responsiveness / High cost pressure)

A

» Treatment of foreign markets

- Coordination approach: World is seen as a portfolio of regionally integrated markets, standardization-localization mix differs from region to region.

  • Aggregation on regional level: consumer preferences from region to region

» Traditional MNC Cultural Orientation

  • Regiocentric: Focus on integration in geographic markets and building an global network of operations.
  • Facilitate global learning and knowledge transfer.

» Value Chain (Example)

  • Scale economies through sourcing from reduced number of global suppliers, concentrate manufacturing in few key locations.
  • Dispersed, subject to minimum efficiency standards, to meet local preferences.» Rationale
  • Benefiting from both global integration and local responsiveness and leveraging global competencies: “standardize where feasible; adapt where appropriate”.
  • Coordinate global competitive moves.
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11
Q

What are the problems with the

International Strategy and Localization Strategy

A

» An international (home replication) strategy may not be viable in the long term

- To survive, firms may need to shift to a global standardization strategy or a transnational strategy in advance of competitors

» Localization may give a firm a competitive edge, but if the firm is simultaneously facing aggressive competitors, the company will also have to reduce its cost structure

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12
Q

Internatinal Division

(Organigram aufzeichnen)

A
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13
Q

Geographic Area Structure

other Name: Global Area Division

(Organigram aufzeichnen)

A
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14
Q

Worldwide Functional Structure

other Name: Global Functional Divison

(Organigram aufzeichnen)

A
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15
Q

Global Product Strukture

other Name: Global Product Divison

(Organigram aufzeichen)

A
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16
Q

International Division

Suitable if?

A
  • foreign markets are to be exploited opportunistically
  • Foreign Sales / Total Sales is low -> start of the
    internationalization
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17
Q

Global Area Divison

Suitable if?

A
  • foreign markets are to be exploited systematically
  • regional markets differ strongly from each other
  • economies of scale are regional and even local
  • foreign sales / total sales are high
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18
Q

Global Functional Divisions

Suitable if?

A

− Integration and cost pressures are high
− pressures for local responsiveness are comparatively low
− Organization by functional activities (production,
marketing)

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19
Q

Global Product Divisions

Suitable if?

other Name: worldwide product structure

A

− Integration and cost pressures are high
− pressures for local responsiveness are
comparatively low
− Organization by major product line

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20
Q

Bullwhip effect causes (6)

A

Free Return Policies: they order much and then cancel

Lack of communication (beetween supply chain partners)

False Demand Information (w/o involvment of customer requirement)

Special discounts (order in great quantities)

Not place order to supplier in real time

Disorganisation (each supply chain link (glied))

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21
Q

SCM:

Snowball Effect

A


Common issue in businesses

Starts from the upstream side of the supply chain (suppliers)

Variability of supply quantities delays increase moving downstream
=> delay in delivery to retailers/ customers

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22
Q

Global Sourcing:

Captive Sourcing v. contract manufacturing

A

captive sourcing: (firmeneigen)

sourcing from company owned production facilities

contract manufacturing:(fremd)

contract with an independent supplier (defined specifications)

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23
Q

Global sourcing

A

Procurement of products and services , from suppliers or
company owned subsidiaries
, located abroad , for consumption
in the home country or a third country

–> captive sourcing or contract manufacturing

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24
Q

Value Chain

v

Supply Chain

A

Value Chain: Activites that add value to the product

–> value addition

Supply Chain: All activities involved in the procurement, logistics etc.

–> conveyance

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25
Q

Offshoring

vs.

Outsourcing

A

Offshoring
Relocation of a business process or entire manufacturing facility to a
foreign country

Outsourcing

Procurement of selected value adding activities , including
production of intermediate goods or finished products, from
independent suppliers

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26
Q

Business process outsourcing

A

Business process outsourcing (BPO)

Outsourcing of business service functions , such as accounting ,
human resource, travel services, IT services, customer service or
technical support to independent suppliers

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27
Q

Which value chain activites do firms usally internalize?

A

Firms usually internalize those value chain activities they consider a
part of their core competence , or which involve the use of proprietary
knowledge
and trade secrets theywant to control.

28
Q

Likelihood of internalize this activities rather than outsourcing those activities

R&D, Design

Marketing and Branding

Manufacturing

Sales and Distribution

Customer Service

A

R&D, Design (high)

Marketing and Branding (high)

–> keep in the company

Manufacturing (medium)

Sales and Distribution (medium)

Customer Service (medium)

Manufacturing of Parts and Components (low)

–> externalize

29
Q

Key Criteria for evaluating loctations for outsourcing

A


Availability of an appropriate labour force

Wage rates

Worker skill level

Language

Culture

Infrastructure

Legal system

Economic environment

Tariffs / Taxes

30
Q

Benefits of Global Sourcing

A

Cost efficiency

Faster corporate growth

Access to qualified personnel

Improved productivity and service

Increased speed to market

Access to new markets

Technological flexibility

31
Q

Risks of global sourcing

A


Lower than expected cost savings

Environmental factors

Weak legal environment

Inadequate or low skilled workers

Overreliance on suppliers

Risk of creating competitors

Erosion of morale and commitment among home country employees

32
Q

Global sourcing Mangement: Good Practices

A

Go offshore for the right reasons

Get employees on board .

Choose carefully: captive souring vs contract manufacturing

Choose suppliers carefully

Emphasize communications & collaboration with suppliers

Safeguard interests

33
Q

Difference

Facilitator

vs.

Distribution Channel intermediary

A

Facilitator
A firm or individual with special expertise in banking, legal advice, customs clearance or related
support services that assists focal firms in the performance of international business transactions.
 Freight forwarders = logistics provider for international shipping

Distribution channel intermediary
A specialist firm that provides various logistics and marketing services for focal firms as part of
international supply chains, both in the home country and abroad.

34
Q

Advances in Technology are the main drivers for international business

explain this four key words

  • Information Technology
  • Communications
  • Manufacturing
  • Transportation
A

Information Technology (IT)
Is the science and process of creating and using information resources.
Communications
The Internet, intranets, social media and e-mail, connect billions of people and companies. This can be used to promote services and products around the world. Has also opened the global marketplace
for SME and other firms that would lack the resources to do international business.
Manufacturing
Computer-aided design (CAD) of products, robotics and production lines have transformed manufacturing, mainly by reducing production costs. It also allows firms to adapt products more
efficiently to individual foreign markets.
Transportation
Firms consider the cost of transporting products when deciding either to export or manufacture abroad. The development of fuel-efficient jets and giant ocean-going freighters have greatly reduced shipping times and costs.

35
Q

Explain the expression

“Reshoring”

A

Sometimes firms engage in reshoring (the return of manufacturing and services to the home country)
due to increased wages abroad and the desire to locate closer to key customers.

36
Q

What are the main factors why Africa remains underdeveloped?

A
  • poor commercial infrastructure
  • lack of access to foreign capital
  • high illiteracy (unable to read or write)
  • government corruption
  • the spread of AIDS
  • wars
37
Q

Name the 4 key components of ethical behavior

A
  • sustainability
  • gorporate governance
  • corporate social responsibility (CSR)
  • Ethics
38
Q

Examples for unethical behaviour

A

 Falsify or misrepresent contracts or financial statements
 Pay or accept bribes or inappropriate gifts
 Sweatshop conditions or otherwise abuse of employees
 False advertising and other deceptive marketing practices
 Engage in discriminatory pricing
 Engage in harmful activities for the natural environment

39
Q

Ethic:

Relativism

vs

Normativism

A
  • *Relativism**
  • *Is the belief that ethical truths are not absolute but differ from group to group**. According to this perspective, a good rule is “When in Rom, do as the Romans do.” Thus, a Japanese firm being against bribery, would nevertheless pay bribes in countries where the practice is customary and acceptable.
  • *Normativism**
  • *The belief that** ethical behavioral standards are universal, and firms should seek to uphold them consistently around the world. According to this view the Japanese firm who believes bribery is wrong will enforce this standard everywhere in the world.
40
Q

Best Practice in Minimizing Currency Risk

(4)

A

 Centralize currency management with the MNE
 Monitor changes in key currencies
 Monitor long-term economic and regulatory trends
 Decide on the level of risk the company can tolerate

41
Q

Banks
Banks are important players in the global financial sector. They raise funds by attracting deposits, borrowing money in interbank markets, or issuing financial instruments in the global money market of securities market.

Name the 5 Bank Types

A
  • *Investment Bank** (underwrite stock and bond issues and advise on mergers)
  • *Merchant Bank** (provide capital to firms. Does not service general public. Specializes in international operations)
  • *Private Bank** (manages the assets of the very rich)
  • *Offshore Bank** (located in jurisdictions with low taxation and regulation, Bermuda, Panama)
  • *Commercial Bank** (deal mainly with corporations or are businesses)
42
Q

International Monetary Fund (IMF)

A

Governed today by 188 countries, the IMF stands ready to provide financial assistance in the form of loans and grants to support programs intended to correct macroeconomic problems. The IMF has established a reserve known as the Special Drawing Right (SDR) to help manage currency valuation worldwide. Central banks may use SDRs to purchase foreign currencies to manage the value of its currency on world markets. The IMF focuses on countries economic performance and gives short-term loans to stabilize
exchange-rates.

43
Q

the World Bank

A

Aims to reduce world poverty and is active in various development projects to bring water, electricity, and transportation infrastructure to poor countries. Is a specialized agency of the United Nations and is supported by some 187 member countries that are jointly responsible for how the institution is financed and how its money is spent. The World Bank emphasizes longer-term development and gives out long-term loans.

44
Q

Types of Country Risk produced by Political Systems

(4)

A
  • Government takeover of corporate Assets
  • Embargoes and Sanctions
  • Terrorism
  • War, Insurrection, and Violence
45
Q

What Culture is NOT

(3)

A

Not right or wrong: Culture is relative. People of different nationalities simply perceive the world differently.

Not about individual behavior: Culture is about groups. It refers to a collective phenomenon of shared values and meanings.

Not inherited (nicht geerbt): Culture comes from people’s social environment. No one is born with a shared set of values and attitudes.

46
Q

Culture

Socialization

vs.

Acculturation

A

Socialization: The process of learning the rules and behavioral patterns appropriate to one’s society. Each society has do’s, don’ts, expectations, etc. that guide behavior of children as they mature.

Acculturation: The process of adjusting and adapting to a culture other than one’s own. It is commonly experienced by people who live in other countries for extended periods.

47
Q

Visible Culture

vs.

Invisible Culture

Grafik

A
48
Q

Comparative Advantage Principle

A

States that it may be beneficial for two countries to trade with each other

as long as one is relatively more efficient at producing goods or services needed by the other. The principle behind this theory is
free trade. It implies that a nation need not be the first-, second-, or even third-best producer of a product to benefit from international trade. A country needs to be only relatively capable in producing varies types of goods.

49
Q

Multidomestic Strategy

Grafik

A
50
Q

Transnational Strategy

Grafik

A
51
Q

Global Strategy

Grafik

A
52
Q

Factors to consider

by choosing a Location for FDI

A
53
Q

Organisational Framework

for Marketing in the Global Firm

A
54
Q

Marketing

7P’s

A
55
Q

Marketing

Market Segmentation (1-3)

A
56
Q

Global Marketing Strategy Mix

A
57
Q

International Marketing

Adaption vs. Standartization

A
58
Q

Marketing

Factors that affect international Pricing:

(4)

A
  • Nature of the Market

(Income, local regulation, climate, infrastructure)

  • Nature of the Product or Industry

(Specialized/high-end vs. ordinary products)

  • Type of distribution system

(Distributers, FDI, direct sales)

  • Location of the production facility

(Low-cost labor countries, FX fluctuactions)

59
Q

Strategies to Combat International Price Escalation

A

1.
Shorten the distribution channel.
2.
Redesign product to remove costly features.
3.
Ship products unassable, as parts and components, to qualify for lower import tariffs

4.

Having products reclassified using different classification to qualify for lower tariffs

5.

Move production or sourcing to another country

60
Q

Marketing

Pricing Strategies

(3)

A
61
Q

Pricing Strategies (3)

A

- Rigid cost-plus pricing

fixed price for all export markets by adding a flat percentage to the domestic price to compensate for added cost for doing business abroad

- Flexible cost-plus pricing

set price to accomodate local market conditions, such as cusotmer purchasing power, demand, and competitor prices.

- Incremental pricing

set price to cover only variable costs (fixed costs are already paid form sales in the home or other countries)

62
Q

Transferpricing

(explain)

A

Intra-corporate pricing

  • pricing of intermediate or finished products exchanged among subsidiaries located in different countries
  • may be used to shift profits from countries that restrict MNES from taking their earnings out of the country
  • shift profits to low corporate tax country
63
Q

Transfer Pricing: Characteristics of a Favored Subsidiary

A
64
Q

International Marketing Communication/Promotion

Grafik

A
65
Q

Marketing, Distribution

Which two approaches are the most common to international distribution

A
  1. Exporting Approach (distribution via independent firms)
  2. FDI based Approach (distribution via subsidiaries)
66
Q

Free Market

Definition

A
  • A free market is one where voluntary exchange and the laws of supply and demand provide the sole basis for the economic system, without government intervention