Go to Toyota Motor Company's world wide web site at ( http://www.toyota.com) By investigating the material that you find on their web pages, construct evidence that would support your contention that Toyota (1)standardizes or (2) adapts its world wide products.
Using either the Internet Guide to Export Trade Leads (http://www.ita.doc.gov/how_to_export/leads.html) or the Export Process Assistant http://venture.cob.ohiostate.edu:1111/tutorial/openingscr.html) web sites, investigate the export process. What types of information can be obtained from these free sites? Could a small business person begin an export process by using information found on these sources? If not, what would be necessary?
Go to the International Trade Administration (US Dept. of Commerce) web site ( http://www.ita.doc.gov/itahome.html) Find an announcement or a trade article that you think might be interesting to bring to class. Download the material, abstract it if necessary, and discuss the material in class. Besides articles and news flashes, what other information can be obtained from this site?
Go to the following Web sites and determine which of the following firms would be classified as multinationals. Please explain what information you obtained led you to that conclusion. Remember this appraisal should be based on what you found not what you think (or previously thought).
a. Aetna ( http://www.aetna.com)
b. British Telecom ( http://www.btglobal.com)
c. Caliber System ( http://www.calibersys.com)
d. Fujitsu ( http://www.fujitsu.com)
e. U.S. Robotics ( http://www.ust.com)
Using the Web site for The Economist find an article about trade blocs or multinationals and their effect on the world economy. Summarize the material and give a brief overview to the class. The Web site is ( http://www.economist.com)
Go to the Web site for The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. This site will provide information on how the office classifies information, facts about international intellectual property, and publication lists. In addition, there is information on how to protect your intellectual property. Using this information, formulate a strategy for protecting intellectual property (you may choose from a movie, a piece of music, software, or a creative idea or patent). Relate your strategy to the class. The Web site address is ( http://www.uspto.gov)
Go to Welcome to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) site at ( http://www.imf.org) This site provides country reports, working papers, and information on briefings and happenings at the IMF. Pick one of these reports and abstract the data. Give a brief report to the class from your abstract.
An interesting Web site to visit is The World Bank Web site. The Web site address is ( http://www.worldbank.org) Go to the site and find the latest news about happenings at the World Bank. Pick a news story and abstract the material. Give a brief report to the class concerning the events from your abstracted article.
Two interesting Web sites to visit are the GNN/Koblas Currency Converter and the Daily Foreign Exchange Converter. Go to either (or both) of these sites and convert the U.S. dollar to seven (7) different currencies. Try to pick at least one currency from all the major continents or trading bloc areas. After having gone through this process, what did you learn? Bring list of conversions to class for discussion. The Web addresses are as follows:
a. GNN/Koblas Currency Converter ( http://bin.gnn.com/cgi-bin/gnn/currency)
b. Daily Foreign Exchange Converter (http://www.asia1.com.sg/cgi-bin/bt/fxconv.pl)
Go to the following Web sites and determine if the companies are using any of the ³Elements of Culture² presented in the text in their marketing efforts. Make a determination of which elements are being used in each case and report your findings to the class with documentation of the usage. Use the addresses provided below:
a). Bavarian Ministry of Economic Affairs ( http://www.bayern.de)
b). Casio ( http://www.casio.com)
c). Hitachi ( http://www.hitachi.com)
d). Zurich-American ( http://www.zurichamerican.com)
Go to the Nomura Research Institute site at ( http://www.nri.co.jp) This site is ideal for anyone researching Japanese companies. By using the site, find a Japanese company and report on the following:
a). Values and corporate philosophy
b). Products
c). Markets
d). Any relevant culture information.
One of the results of the recent peace efforts in the Middle East is a renewed interest in attracting international trade to the region. Using information from the chapter and the chapter Exhibits formulate a working paper on how to deal with the cultural barriers found in the Middle East. Write your paper as if you were a company trying to find a partner or a market to trade in. Israel might be one of your options. If is, go to Israel Trade and Investment Web page at ( http://world.std.com/~neicc) for further information on this region of the Middle East. Remember look for barriers to be overcome.
Visit The World Factbook 1996 (formerly known as the CIA Factbook) at ( http://www.odci.gov/cia/publications/nsolo) and observe the wealth of information provided by this recently declassified information source. Most country evaluations are about 3-6 pages in length. Pick a country and download the information. Prepare a brief for the class that identifies what you perceive to be the chief facts that a company would want to know if it were to be interested in establishing a new business venture in the country. What can you determine about the competition that you might meet there? What political situations might affect your proposed business venture?
Go to the Trademark Law Web site at ( http://www.law.cornell.edu/topics/trademark.html) At this site you can read the Lanham Act that describes United States trademark law and review recent Supreme Court decisions regarding this phase of intellectual property rights. Find an interesting article, download it, and describe the issue to the class. Try to find an issue that is related to the international area.
Go to the International Entertainment and Multimedia Law & Business Network. This site is located at ( http://www.laig.com/law) This site provides information related to U.S. federal statutes (includes information on international law) for intellectual property, copyrights, patents, and trademarks. The focus is entertainment and media. After exploring the site find an issue that is of interest to you and report your findings to the class.
As mentioned in the chapter, a comprehensive resource in gathering data in international marketing is the National Trade Data Bank (NTDB) found at ( http://www.stat-usa.gov) Go to the site and report on the forms of data that can be obtained. This listing of reference areas might be useful for other reports or projects assigned in this course.
Another valuable on-line resource is the International Business Resources Directory maintained by the CIBER center at Michigan State University found at ( http://ciber.bus.msu.edu/busres.htm) Go to the site and report on the forms of data that can be obtained. This listing of reference areas might be useful for other reports or projects assigned in this course.
A frequently used program for computers that is useful in conducting research (especially in the international area is) is SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences). Go to the SPSS Web site at ( http://www.spss.com) and explore the different statistical programs available that might be used for doing research as suggested in this chapter. Pick one of the packages and report on what it might be used for and how could you access it. This site can be very valuable as a reference listing for other reports and projects that might be assigned in this course.
Go to the following Web sites and describe what market segments are being pursued by the various companies. In addition, (if possible) describe what segmentation and/or positioning strategies are being used by the firms.
a). Apple Computer ( http://www.apple.com)
b). IBM ( http://www.ibm.com)
c). Compaq ( http://www.compaq.com)
d). Hewlett-Packard ( http://www.hp.com)
Go to the Advertising Research Foundation home page at ( http://www.arfsite.org) Conduct a research search for information regarding an international product of your choice (or another product cleared by your instructor). Cite the product you studied, indicate what type of information might be available, whether the information is free or must be paid for, what can be determined about the product itself, any information on the product's competitors, the product's position relative to competition, what can be determined about the mass media with respect to the chosen product, and whether you think that this is a good secondary resource site.
The world (especially in Asia) has caught Tamagotchi Fever. This virtual pet has swept Japan and is now beginning to spread to other markets. Bandai (makers of Tamagotchi and other toy products) has been swamped with orders. Go to their Web site at ( http://www.bandai.co.jp/eng/enghome.htm) Once there learn about the company, their other products, and Tamagotchi. Your assignment is to devise a product introduction strategy for this international product into the U.S. market. Consider steps that you would see as critical. Remember to include some form of plan for all of the marketing mix variables (product, price, promotion, and distribution). Be sure to designate which market segments would be the primary ones for your product introduction. Be sure to describe the segments and relate why that you think they would be prime prospects. How would you rate Tamagotchi's chances of success in the U.S. market?
Using the World Fact Book 1996 (formerly known as the CIA Factbook) at (http://www.odci.gov/cia/publications/nsolo), examine the component parts of the model presented in Exhibit 8-1 (Industry Globalization Drivers). Pick a country or region of the world and see what kind of information you can discover to answer the questions posed by the exhibit. From this data, could you build a competitive industry model that would help a company compete internationally? Whether you answer yes or no, what additional information would you need to make your model more useful? Where would you get that information? Prepare a report of your findings.
Take an international company of your choice and prepare a strategic business plan for the company. Be sure to include a SWOTs analysis. The length and detail depends on the preference of your instructor. Several Web sites that might be of some value in your research effort are:
a). ( http://www.sb.gov.bc.ca/smallbus/workshop/market/prepare/busplan.html)
b). ( http://www.kciLink.com/brc/bplan/)
One of the best sources for new information about competition among global firms is Business Week magazine. Go to the Business Week home page at ( http://www.businessweek.com) and identify three firms that you perceive to be in competition with one another. Once you have done this identify what you perceive to be their primary strategy or strategies to meet their competition. Be sure to remember the discussion used in your chapter on strategy formulation and types of strategies that might be used. Describe how you diagnosed their strategy formats. If necessary, you can limit your search to only one product line. Report your findings in a written format.
Using any of the recognized search engines (such as Yahoo at http://www.yahoo.com or Lycos at ( http://www.lycos.com) find information on international franchising opportunities. Once you have found a franchising opportunity, collect data and report your findings to the class. Would your chosen opportunity make a good investment? How difficult would it be to pursue the opportunity? Were you able to get all the information that you needed by using the Internet? What might be your chances of success with this opportunity?
Using any of the recognized search engines (such as Yahoo at http://www.yahoo.com or Lycos at ( http://www.lycos.com) find information about the Japanese keiretsu or the Korean chaebols as forms integrated structures. Based on the research that you performed describe the format of the structure, compare the structure to the joint venture and strategic alliance, present an example of the structure, and present your view as to your perception of the effectiveness of the structure.
Using the following Internet addresses determine which of the following organizations have recently engaged in franchising, joint ventures, merger, or acquisition at the international level. What information led you to your conclusion? Briefly report your findings to the class.
a. Caliber Systems ( http://www.calibersys.com)
b. British Telecom ( http://www.btglobal.com)
c. France Telecom ( http://www.francetelecom.com)
d. Texas Instruments ( http://www.ti.com)
e. Cisco Systems ( http://www.cisco.com)
f. Kinko's Corporate ( http://www.kinkos.com)
Go to the Web site entitled Integrated Supply Chain Management at ( http://www.ie.utoronto.ca/EIL/iscm-descr.html) and investigate the information available on issues related to the supply chain. What can you discover about sourcing from this data? Report your findings.
Go to the Web site entitled Manufacturing Information Net at ( http://www.mfginfo.com/home.htm) At this site you will find a variety of information about manufacturing related information, different products and services. Try to get information about sourcing and companies that use this method. Report your findings.
An interesting site to visit is the Web site entitled Managing Supplier Relationships. Information about this site can be found at ( http://www.dbisna.com/dbis/purchase/vpurchas.html) The site offers some interesting tips on managing supplier relationships. What are the tips? Which might be used to manage sourcing situations in the international arena? Report your findings.
Go to Microsoft's home page at ( http://www.microsoft.com) and determine what new products the company currently has to offer. Which of these are currently or can be marketed internationally? Pick one product and prepare a brief outline of how you believe that it can be marketed internationally.
Go to any of the following home Web pages, pick a product and design a product strategy for the product. Be sure to detail your strategy. Once you have done this go to the Strategic Options found at the beginning of the chapter, pick one and incorporate it into your strategy. Prepare a short report describing your strategy and the option you picked.
a. AT&T ( http://www.att.com)
b. Lotus ( http://www.lotus.com)
c. Okidata ( http://www.okidata.com)
d. NCR ( http://www.ncr.com)
Go to the Charles Schwab (or other investment home pages from other brokers) and determine what type of free research you can do on new products. If this proves to be too difficult go to Yahoo or other search engines and attempt the process. Once you have found a method to research new products, pick one and write about its progress in development and market acceptability.
Charles Schwab web site ( http://www.schwab.com)
Yahoo ( http://www.yahoo.com)
Among the newest global brands are the video game companies. Go to the following four Web sites and investigate the new products offered by these leading game makers. What strategies can you suggest for the companies to protect their products from piracy? Do the companies make any statements themselves about intellectual property on their Web sites?
a). Sega ( http://www.sega.com) b). Sony ( http://www.sony.com) c). Nintendo ( http://www.nintendo.com) d). Atari ( http://www.atari.com)
Go to the Mercedes-Benz site at ( http://www.usa.mercedes-benz.com) and investigate the company's branding strategy. Notice that they have just begun new plants in the United States. In addition, they have recently purchased significant publicity space in 1997s high profile summer movies. What comments can you make about this strategy for brand acceptance? Write a report on your conclusions about the branding strategies of Mercedes-Benz.
Go to the following Web sites and determine how these service companies might proceed with global expansion. After reading the material in your text, what advice could you give to these entities about global expansion?
a). Arthur Andersen ( http://www.ArthurAndersen.com) b). Andersen Consulting ( http://www.ac.com) c). Royal Insurance ( http://www.royal-usa.com) d). GE Information Services ( http://www.geis.com)
Go to the Web site for the World Trade Organization (http://www.wto.org/). Examine issues that relate to international pricing. Pick one that relates to the subjects cover in this chapter and report your findings to the class.
Go to one of the standard search engines such as Yahoo ( http://www.yahoo.com) or Lycos ( http://www.lycos.com) and research the subject of dumping. Find an article about dumping. Report your findings to the class. Explain your feelings about the dumping issue.
Go to any of the following sites and review procedures, policies, or ideas on international pricing. Report your findings.
a. Enron ( http://www.ENRON.com) b. Canon USA ( http://www.usa.canon.com) c. GTE ( http://www.gte.com) d. MCI ( http://www.MCI.com) e. Subaru ( http://www.subaru.com)
Go to the Web address for Advertising Age at ( http://www.adage.com) Find a recent article about international advertising. Download its contents. Write a short report that abstracts the article. Report your findings on the content of the article to the class or instructor.
Go to the Web address for Advertising Age at ( http://www.adage.com) Find the last report available about award winning international commercials (these may be from any of the media forms--note that these awards occur at different times of the year). After examining the commercials and their reported content, comment on why you think they might have won (or been designated as being award winning). Was there anything that the commercials had in common? Did the commercials seem to be standardized or adapted? If many commercials are listed, you pick a sampling for purposes of your report. Report the results of your findings to the class or to your instructor.
Go to the Advertising Research Foundation's home page at ( http://www.arfsite.org) Examine what type of information might be available to the advertiser that wishes to study international advertising or advertising in other countries. Comment on the number of areas that you find. Pick one of the areas, go to it, and report on the type of data (in more detail than the original request above) that is present. Do you believe that this site can be a valuable site for those wishing to pursue international advertising?
Pick a country of your choice. Your assignment is to do research on that country and its markets so you can develop a cultural ³must know² list for your company. Your list will be used to acquaint your company's managers with facts before they enter the country and attempt to sell in its markets (if you need to make certain assumptions because of the nature of your product or service, you may do so). Using the Yahoo ( http://www.yahoo.com) or Lycos ( http://www.lycos.com) search engines, find the cultural data that will help you to design your list. Report your findings to the class or your instructor.
One of the more interesting magazines to review about current trends in American culture is American Demographics magazine. Go to ( http://www.marketingtools.com) search the site, locate the aforementioned magazine, and research contemporary trends that might help the sales force from a Japanese, German, and Russian company do business and find markets in the United States. You specialize your search in any way that you choose. Be creative. Report your findings.
Take the following four firms and identify what you perceive to be their corporate culture from information provided on their Web sites. Once you have identified their culture be sure to designate why you think your identification is correct and how did your assessment.
a. Honda ( http://www.honda.com) b. UPS ( http://www.ups.com) c. Toshiba America Information Systems ( http://www.computers.toshiba.com) d. Oracle Corporation ( http://www.oracle.com)
Go to the Links to NAFTA sites ( http://europa.eu.int/en/comm/dg01/link12.htm) This site has various articles on NAFTA and international trade in general. Look for an article on logistics and international distribution. Abstract the article and report your findings.
Go to the Web site entitled Why is Mexico a Big Emerging Market? at ( http://www.stat-usa.gov/bems/bemsmex/bemsmex.html) Find information on the Maquiladora Operation in Mexico. Report your findings.
Go to the Web site entitled International Logistics at ( http://www.commerce2000.com/logistics/loglink.htm) Examine the wealth of information available on this site. Examples of information that can be obtained is information on roads, ships, ports, rail facilities, agencies that regulate and aid transportation and logistical endeavors, and much much more. If you were a logistical planner seeking to go abroad with your company's products, what could you use from this site? Draw a profile of the material that might be useful to you. You may assume a specific products or service and assume that the product or service might be going to a specific country if it makes your research any easier. Report your findings to the class or to your instructor.
A great contemporary research site is CNN news found at ( http://www.cnn.com) Go to this site and research the field of exporting and/or importing. Find a contemporary story. Abstract the material and report your findings to the class.
Go to The Federal Web Locator at ( http://www.law.vill.edu/Fed-Agency) and find information on the Exim Bank as described in your chapter. Once you have discovered how to access the information on the Exim Bank, do a short report on a subject of your choice from the list of data that you have observed.
Go to the Web site for the World Trade Center at ( http://www.unicc.org/untpdc/incubator/wtca/welcome.html) Observe the Trade Points being hosted by the World Trade Centers Association. Do a short report on the activities of the trade center and how an exporter or an importer might use this service.
Go to the home page for the journal entitled Studies in Cultures, Organization, and Societies. Find an article on organizational change or design, abstract the article, and report the findings (if this search cannot be accomplished, use on of the search engines mentioned in other projects from previous chapters [Yahoo or Lycos] to accomplish the same task). The Web site for the above journal is ( http://www.ucalgary.ca/~cancomm/studies.html)
Several noted Washington decision makers have expressed comments on how organizational structure might be transformed to meet the challenges of the next century. The comments are carried in The National Performance Review. Go to this government site, explore the material, and develop an opinion about the changes that might be coming in the next century with respect to organizational structure and design. The site is located at ( http://www.npr.gov/)
Take the following organizations, go to their Web sites, and make a determination about their organizational format and design. You may use the classification in the chapter or may use creative combinations to describe your observations. If you cannot find adequate data on their Web sites you might also do traditional library research to give your answers. Be sure to document your opinion as to why you selected a particular organizational format for the organizations.
a. Siemens ( http://www.siemens.com)
b. IBM ( http://www.ibm.com)
c. Toyota Motors ( http://www.toyota.com)
d. Raytheon ( http://www.raytheon.com)
e. U.S. Robotics ( http://www.ust.com)
