BUSINESS

Question # 1: Another theme we studied this semester focused on global market opportunity assessment, the geography dimension in the firm's internationalization process. In this context, we argued that for effective opportunity assessment, firms need to conduct formalized analyses of the macroeconomic, microeconomic, and cultural environments in which they aim to operate.

In this context, we discussed macro, micro, and cultural analyses, underscoring Porter's, Hofstede's, Inglehart's, and Schwartz's approaches to market analysis and learned about how these might be applied to evaluating the attractiveness of various markets for the firm's entry. Given our class discussions on this topic:

(a) discuss macro, micro, and any two of Porter's, Hofstede's, Inglehart's, and Schwartz's approaches to cultural analysis comparing and contrasting these in terms of their merits and weaknesses; and

(b) explain how you might go about applying these to the marketing of a product/service with which you are familiar.

You are welcome to use any of the cases we discussed in class or any product or service with which you are familiar in answering this question.

Question # 2: The last theme we studied this semester focused on ownership issues (ie, modes of foreign market entry and the firm's desire for control vs autonomy) in the internationalizing firm. In this context, we studied export, contractual, and investment modes and focused our class discussions on international alliances and joint ventures. In light of these discussions, cases, and readings:

(a) choose any two entry modes we discussed (for instance, licensing and direct exporting, but you are welcome to pick any two) and describe their advantages and disadvantages as entry modes, and

(b) compare and contrast the learning race (competitive collaboration) and the resource based (social exchange) perspectives on international alliances.

(c) Address why firms choose to collaborate, what roles firm and national cultures might play in the formation, continuation and dissolution of international alliances and

(d) what the importance of alliance experience is in achieving alliance success.