Steps in Conducting a Foreign Market Analysis

International businesses have the fundamental goals of expanding market share, revenues, and profits. They often achieve these goals by entering new markets or by introducing new products into markets in which they already have a presence. A firm’s ability to do this effectively hinges on its developing a through understanding of a given geographical or product market. To successfully increase market share, revenue, and profits, firms must normally follow three steps, Assess alternative markets Evaluate the respective costs, benefits, and risks of entering each, and Select those that hold the most potential for entry or expansion. 1. Assessing Alternative Foreign Markets In assessing alternative foreign market a firm must consider a variety of factor including the current and potential sizes of the markets, the levels of competition the firm will face, their legal and political environment, and socio-cultural   factors that may affect the firm’s operations and performance. Information about Continue reading

Types of Marine Insurance Policies

Marine insurance is a contract by which the insurer, in consideration of payment by the insured of a specified premium determined under tariff rates or otherwise, agree to indemnify the latter against any loss incurred by him in respect of the merchandise exposed to the perils of the sea or to the particular perils insured against. In a c.i.f. contract, marine insurance is obligatory, and the policy must be one which is usual in the trade and is in a negotiable form. The policy must be stamped  and bear a date not later than that of the bill of lading; and if the export is under a letter of credit, it must conform to the terms and conditions laid down in it. Types of Marine Insurance Policies 1. Single Cargo Risk / Open or Blanket Policy A marine insurance policy may be a “single cargo risk” policy, i.e., a policy Continue reading

Types of Packing Credit (Pre-Shipment Credit)

Packing Credit is a pre-shipment credit extended to the exporters to facilitate him for meeting several financial requirements such as purchase of raw materials and its processing, packing, storing and shipping of goods. It is a short term credit available to all exporters. Hence, this is called pre-shipment credit which is essentially working capital finance made available to the exporters to arrange for goods as per the export. It is generally granted in the form of loans or cash credits. It may also be granted in the form of overdraft facilities. The exporter who wants to avail the pre-shipment credit facility should make a formal application to his bank along with the firm contract with the buyer or a copy of the export order or a copy of the letter of credit. Major  Types of Packing Credit Pre-shipment finance is available in various forms. Important types of packing credit are Continue reading

Decentralized Decision Making in Multinational Enterprises

Where does the decision making power in Multinational Enterprises (MNEs) rests? Is the decision power vested with the parent’s headquarters or with the subsidiary? Decisions made at the foreign-subsidiary level may be considered decentralized, while those made above the foreign-subsidiary level, that is the parent level, are considered centralized. The location of decision making power may vary within the same company over time as well as by product, function, and country. In addition, actual decision making is seldom as one-sided as it may appear. A manager who has decision-making authority may consult other managers before exercising that authority. Centralized decision making is a global strategy while decentralized decision making is a multi-domestic strategy. A combination of the two is called a transnational strategy. The reason for choosing one over the other is partly a function of companies’ attitudes. For example, an ethnocentric attitude would influence a company to develop competencies, Continue reading

Competitiveness for Globalization – Country and Company Competitiveness

Strategic management of a global company requires an understanding and analysis of international business environment in order to assess opportunities and threats. The management has to formulate alternative strategies to exploit the opportunities provided by the environment by using company strengths. Many MNCs having the strength of technology and the environment of developing countries provide the opportunities of high quality and low priced products. Therefore, it is necessary to study the competitiveness of global business. The comparative cost theory concludes that the countries can specialize in producing certain products in which they have the competitive advantage of producing goods at low cost. It means that the customers in all the countries can have the goods at low price. Comparative cost theory also indicates that the countries which have the advantage of raw materials, labor, natural resources in producing particular goods can produce the goods at low cost with good quality. Continue reading

How Do Firms Internationalize?

The simple facts remains that firm internationalize for many reasons or the other; be it, profit motive, the expansion to new horizon, exploring and tapping new markets or for reasons less known, that is to say for competitive advantage or labor mobilization and last but not the least, the cost factors. Moreover, by going international, firm can also take center stage to reaps the benefits of global exposure, and the opportunity cost that can be reaped from international business is also rather more in a sense that diversity is also exemplified, plus the means that internationalization provides towards new markets beyond national boundaries is also what’s excites and interest organizations in going international. Add to it, supply chain and its management is also more broadened when firm indulge themselves in international business. Thus, the above mentioned facts in brief list some of the factors and the notion as to why Continue reading