Module Overview:
This module brings together some of the foundations that we have reviewed in earlier modules to assess global business opportunities and initiatives as well as to provide insights into modes of entry for these global opportunities.
A three-step approach to the assessment of the initiatives can be structured to include the identification of the basic appeal of the initiative, analysis of the national business environment in which the initiative will be started, and the measurement of the potential market for a product or a site assessment.
Clearly, our prior examinations of international business issues and environments will serve us well in completing this three-step assessment.
The module is also about introducing the different types of entry modes for actualizing the initiative. Three modes are reasonable to consider:
1. Exporting, importing, and countertrade;
2. Contractual entry; and
3. Investment entry.
The export approach is the least risky as much of the operations will remain in the home country.
A contractual entry approach has advantages of potentially making use of local business contacts in the foreign country through licensing, franchising, or management contracts.
Finally, investment approach can include joint ventures or various types of strategic alliances or complete ownership.
Module Readings and Assignment:
Complete the following readings early in the module:
Module online lectures
From the textbook, International business: The challenges of globalization, 8th, please read the following:
International strategy and organization
Analyzing international opportunities
Selecting and managing entry modes
Course Project Overview:
For the course project, you will select a country (Japan) of interest and assess the international business potential of that country and compare its characteristics to the characteristics of the United States. You will write a 15- to 20-page paper based on your research.
Include the following sections in the paper:
Executive summary
Macroeconomic condition
Political and cultural environment
Operations, Marketing, and Human Resource considerations
Overall recommendations and risk assessment for making business investments into this country
The following organizations gather and publish data relevant to your course project. Use these resources for research.
United Nations
World Bank
International Monetary Fund
European Union
Asian Development Bank
Central Intelligence Agency
Trade Information Center
Japanese External Trade Organization
Lexis-Nexis
Ernst & Young
International Trade Centre
Dow Jones
DIALOG
Your course project tasks are:
Task 1: Review of Web resources and available information; selection of the country (Japan)for the course project
Task 2: Check-in: Cultural and political characteristics of the selected country and comparison with the U.S., with statistical data
Task 3: Check-in: Macroeconomic characteristics of the selected country and comparison with the U.S., with specific and documented data and graphic support material
Task 4: Rough Draft: The draft paper in a 10- to 12-page Word document need not include the executive summary or the final recommendations section.
Task 5: Assignment, Course Project Final Paper: Complete paper finalize for grading The project paper should have the following structure:
Executive summary
Macroeconomic condition
Political and cultural environment
Operations, Marketing, and Human Resource considerations
Overall recommendation and risk assessment for making business investments into this country
Instructions
Assignment: Course Project Final Paper
Based on your facilitator's feedback from rough draft , revise your paper. Revise the executive summary and add the risk assessment and recommendations section.
Submit your work in a 15- to 20-page Word document.