GCC INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS AND TRADE Assignment Questions -
Assignment 1 -
Why do some industries become global while others remain local or regional?
Regional trading blocs, such as the EU and NAFTA, are growing in importance. What are the implications of these trading blocs for international businesses? Are they helpful or harmful? How may they affect a firm's investment decisions?
What options do firms have when caught in conflicts between home country and host country laws?
Describe the difference between high context and low context culture.
Describe the difference in pay systems between U.S. and Japanese firms. To what extent are these differences culturally determined?
Assume you have just been transferred by your firm to a new facility in a foreign location. How would you go about assess the country's culture along Hofstede's cultural dimensions? How would you incorporate your findings into conducting business there?
Assignment 2 -
Chapter 6, Review Question 2, Page 171. How do theories of absolute advantage and comparative advantage differ?
Chapter 6, Questions for Discussion 2 and 4, Page 171: In the public debate over ratification of the North American Free Trade Agreement, Ross Perot said he heard a "giant sucking sound" from U.S. jobs headed South because of low wage rates in Mexico. Using the theory of competitive advantage, discuss whether Perot's fears are valid.
Hyundai decided to build a new automobile assembly plant in Alabama.
a. What factors do you think Hyundai considered in selecting Alabama as the site for the factory?
b. Who benefits and who losesfrom the new plant in Alabama?
c. Is the firm's decision to build the new plant consistent with Dunning's eclectic theory?
Chapter 7, Review Questions, 7, Page 206. Describe the differences between a fixed exchange rate system and a flexible exchange rate system.
Chapter 7, Questions for Discussion 3 and 4, Page 206. Under what conditions might a country devalue its currency today?
Are there any circumstances under which a country might want to increase its currency's value? How are prices established in foreign exchange markets?
Discuss the major types of arbitrage activities that affect the foreign-exchange markets.
Suppose the spot pound and the 90-day forward pound are both selling for $1.65, while U.S. interest rates are 10% and British are 6%. Using the covered-interest arbitrage theory, describe what will happen to the spot price of the pound, interest rates in the U.S. and interest rates in U.K. when arbitrageurs enter this market.
Assignment 3 -
Chapter 9, Review Questions 1 What is fair trade? Who benefits from it?
Chapter 9, Questions for Discussion 4. Since 1992, Indonesia has imposed high export taxes on the export of raw wood and sawn timber. Why would it do this? Who is hurt by these high export taxes?
Chapter 9, Questions for Discussion 5. Should we worry if foreigners sell us goods cheaply?
Chapter 10 Review Question 2. Under what conditions can WTO members not use MFN when dealing with one another?
Chapter 10, Questions for Discussion 4. What strategies can North American and Asian firms adopt to ensure access to the enormous EU market?
Chapter 11, Review Questions 6. What are the steps in international strategy formulation? Are these likely to vary among firms?
Chapter 11, Questions for Discussion 5. How can a poor SWOT analysis affect strategic planning?
Chapter 11, Questions for Discussion 7. How are the components of international strategy (scope of operations, resource deployment, distinctive competence, and synergy) likely to vary across different types of corporate strategy (single-business, related diversification, and unrelated diversification)?
Chapter 12 Review Question 9. What are the three specialized entry modes for international business, and how do they work?
Assignment 4 -
Ch13-RQ5: What are the four common types of functional alliances? Briefly explain each. Ch13-RQ8: What are the three basic ways of managing a strategic al liance?
Ch13- D7: Why would a firm decide to enter a new market on its own rather than using a strategic alliance?
Ch14-Q6: What is the global matrix design? What are its strengths and weaknesses?
Ch14-D2: Do managers of international firms need to approach organizational design differently from their counterparts in domestic firms? Why or why not?
Ch16-RQ2: How do legal, cultural and economic factors influence product policy?
Ch16-RQ6: What are some of the fundamental issues that must be addressed in international marketing?
Ch16-D4: What are the pros and cons of trying to use a single brand name in different markets, as opposed to creating unique brand names for various markets?
Ch16-D5: What are the advantages and disadvantages of each pricing policy? Why do most international firms use market pricing?
Assignment 5.1 -
Ch17-Q4: What basic set of factors must a firm consider when selecting a location fora production facility?
Ch17-Q5: What basic factors must be addressed when managing international service operations? Ch17-D5: Why are services most closely associated with developed, industrialized economies?
Ch18-Q7: What is translation exposure? What effect does a balance sheet hedge have on translation exposure?
Ch18-Q9: What capital budgeting techniques are available to international businesses?
Ch18-D6: The government of Colefax and Fowler's home country (the UK) has chosen not to be a participant in the EU's single currency scheme. Will this put Colefax and Fowler at a disadvantage in competing for business in other EU countries? If so, is there anything the company can do to reduce its disadvantage?
Assignment 5.2 -
Consider a new business opportunity where a product is needed in your country. Develop a simple business case where you will import the product into your country. You have ample flexibility in many aspects of this new business. Be practical while considering all aspects of this course.
This paper is approximately 1500 words, following all APA formatting requirements and must have at least 2 peer reviewed articles for research support.
Attachment:- Assignment File.rar