Download MBA-IB (International Business) (Master of Business Administration) 3rd Semester Global Marketing Management Notes
UNIT I
OBJECTIVES
To give a broader understanding of the Global marketing management
concepts and main issues of Global business. This unit gives students
an understanding of the factors that how the international trade system
and the economic, political, legal and cultural environments affect a
company`s international marketing decisions.
The main objectives of the chapter are:
to provide an overview of strategic concept of marketing with
the major principles of global market
to analyse the driving forces and various complexities of
international marketing
to evaluate the various entry strategies to international
market
to identify the essentials of international market in the
context of economic development of less developed countries
STRUCTURE
1.
Introduction
1.1
Meaning of Marketing
1.2
Meaning of Global Marketing
1.3
The Strategic Concept of Marketing
1.4
The Three Principles of Marketing
1.5
Transition from Domestic to International Marketing
1.6
Driving Forces for International Market
1.7
Complexities in International Marketing
1.8
Significance of International Marketing and Economic
Development
1.9
The Global Marketing Environment
1.10 Fundamental Different between International Trade and
Interregional Trade
1.11 Why Global Market is Imperative
1.12 A Successful Global Marketing Plan
1.13 International Market Orientation ? FPRG
1.14 International Market Entry Strategies
1.15 Summary
1.16 Self-Assessment Questions
1. INTRODUCTION
This unit is about GLOBAL MARKETING which we define as the
process of focusing the resources (i.e. people, money, and physical
assets) and objectives of an organization on global market opportunities
and threats. Two decades ago, the term global marketing did not even
exist. Today, global marketing is essential not only for the realization
of the full success potential of a business, but even more critically for
the survival of a business. A company which fails to go global is in
longer of losing it`s domestic business to competitors with lower costs,
greater experience, better products and in a nutshell, more value for the
customer.
The importance of going global to ensure company survival is a more
powerful motive for many companies than the attraction of opportunity
abroad. Industries that were entirely national in scope only a few years
ago are dominated today by a handful of global companies. This unit
concentrate on the major dimensions of global marketing namely
meaning and the strategic concept of marketing, the principles of
marketing, transition from the domestic to transactional marketing,
driving forces and complexities in Inter national Marketing, Global
Marketing Imperative, Global Marketing plan, International market
orientation (EPRA) and International Market Entry Strategies.
1.1. MEANING OF MARKETING
Marketing is essentially a creative corporate activity involving the
planning and execution of the conception, pricing, promotion, and
distribution of ideas, products, and services in an exchange that not
only satisfies customers` current needs but also anticipates and creates
their future needs at a profit. Marketing is not only much broader than
selling, it also encompasses the entire company`s market orientation
toward customer satisfaction in a competitive environment. In other
words, marketing strategy requires close attention to both customers
and competitors.
1.2. MEANING OF GLOBAL MARKETING
Global marketing refers to marketing activities by companies that
emphasize the following:
1. Reduction of cost inefficiencies and duplication of efforts among
their national and regional subsidiaries
2. Opportunities for the transfer of products, brands, and other ideas
across subsidiaries
3. Emergence of global customers
4. Improved linkages among national marketing infrastructures leading to the
development of a global marketing infrastructure.
Although Levitt`s view that global marketing does not necessarily mean
standardization of products, promotion, pricing, and distribution
worldwide, but rather, it is a company`s proactive willingness to adopt
a global perspective instead of a country-by-country or region-by-
region perspective in developing a marketing strategy.
1.3 The Strategic Concept of Marketing
During the past three decades the concept of marketing has changed
dramatically. The marketing concept has evolved from the original
concept, which focused marketing on the product. The objectiv e was
profit, and the means to achieving the objective was selling, or
persuading the potential customer to exchange his or her money for the
company`s product. (refer Table 1.1)
Table 1-1 Changing Concept of Marketing
Old
New
Strategic
Era
Pre-1960
1960-1990
1990
Focus
Product
Customer
Way of Doing
Business
Means
Telling
and Integrated
Knowledge and
Selling
Marketing Mix
Experience
End
Profit
Value
Mutually
Beneficial
Relationship
Marketing is.. Selling
A Function
Everything
The new concept of marketing, which appeared about 1960, shifted
the focus of marketing from the product to the customer. The objective
was still profit, but the means of achieving the objective expanded to
include the entire marketing mix, or the four Ps as they became
known: product, price, promotion, and place (channels of distribution).
By 1990 it was clear that the consumer concept of marketing was
updated and that the times demanded a strategic concept. The strategic
concept of marketing, a major evolution in the history of marketing
thought, shifted the focus of marketing from the customer or the
product to the customer in the context of the broader external
environment. Knowing everything there is to know about the customer
is not enough. To succeed, marketers must know the customer in a
context including the competition, government policy and regulation,
and broader economic, social, and political macro forces that shape the
evolution of markets. In global marketing this may mean working
closely with home-country government trade negotiators and other
officials and industry competitors to gain access to a target country
market.
Another revolutionary change in the shift to the strategic concept of
marketing is in the marketing objective-from profit to stakeholder
benefits. Stakeholders are individuals or groups who have an interest in
the activity of a company. They include the employees and management,
customers, society, and government, to mention only the most prominent.
There is a growing recognition that profits are a reward for performance
(defined as satisfying customers in a socially responsible or acceptable
way). To compete in today`s market, it is necessary to have an employee
team committed to continuing innovation and to producing quality
products. In other words, marketing must focus on the customer in context
and deliver value by creating stakeholder benefits for both customers and
employees.
Profitability is not forgotten in the strategic concept. Indeed, it is a
critical means to the end of creat ing stakeholder benefits. The means of
the strategic marketing concept is strategic management, which
integrates marketing with the other management functions. One of the
tasks of strategic management is to make a profit, which can be a
source of funds for investing in the business and for rewarding
shareholders and management. Thus, profit is still a critical objective
and measure of marketing success, but it is not an end in itself. The aim
of marketing is to create value for stakeholders, and the key
stakeholder is the customer.
Finally, the strategic concept of marketing has shifted the focus of
Marketing
Customer Needs and
R&D
Engineering
Manufacturing
Customer Value
Wants
marketing from a microeconomic maximization paradigm to a focus of
managing strategic partnerships and positioning the firm between
vendors and customers in the value chain with the aim and purpose of
creating value for customers. This expanded concept of marketing was
termed boundaryless marketing. The notion of boundaryless marketing
is shown in Figure 1-1.
1.4 THE THREE PRINCIPLES OF MARKETING
The essence of marketing can be summarized in three great principles.
The first is customer value, the second is competitive advantage and the
third principle is concentration of customer need.
1. The Principle of Customer Value
The essence of marketing is creating customer value that is greater than
the value created by competitors. Value for the customer can be
increased by expanding or improving product and or service benefits,
by reducing the price, or by a combination of these elements.
Companies that use price as a competitive weapon must have a strategic
cost advantage in order to create a sustainable competitive advantage.
This might come from cheap labor or access to cheap raw materials, or
it might come from manufacturing scale or efficiency or more efficient
management. Knowledge of the customer combined with innovation
and creativity can lead to product improvements and service that matter
to customers. If the benefits are strong enough and valued enough by
customers, a company does not need to be the low-price competitor in
order to win customers.
2. The Principle of Competitive advantage
The second great principle of marketing is competitive advantage. A
competitive advantage is a total offer, vis-z-vis relevant competition,
that is more attractive to customers. The advantage could exist in any
element of the company`s offer: the product, the price, the advertising
and point-of-sale promotion, and the distribution of the products. The
total offer must be more attractive than that of the competition in order
to create a competitive advantage. A company might have a product
that is equivalent in quality to that of the competition but no better. If it
offers this product at a significantly lower price, and if it can get
customers to believe that the quality of the company`s product is equal
to that of the competition, the price advantage will give the company a
competitive advantage. The competitive advantage must exist relative
to relevant competitors. If the company is in a local industry, these
competitors will be local. In national industry, they will be national,
and in a global industry, they will be global.
3. The Principle of Concentration of customer need:
The third marketing principle is focus, or the concentration of
attention. Focus is required to succeed in the task of creating customer
value at a competitive advantage. All great enterprises, large and small,
are successful because they have understood and applied this great
principle. IBM succeeded because it was more clearly focused on
customer needs and wants than any other company in the emerging data
processing industry. One of the reasons that IBM found itself in crisis
in the early 1990s was because its competitors had become much more
clearly focused on customer needs and wants. Dell and Compaq were
giving customers computing power and low prices IBM was offering
the same computing power with higher prices. In earlier days, the IBM
name was worth the difference today, in the maturing computer market,
the value of the IBM name is simply not worth much as compared to a
name like Compaq or Dell.
A clear focus on customer needs and wants and on the competitive offer
is needed to mobilize the effort needed to maintain a differential
advantage. This can be accomplished only by focusing or conce ntrating
resources and efforts on customer needs and wants and on how to
deliver a product that will meet those needs and wants.
1.5. TRANSITION FROM DOMESTIC TO TRANSNATIONAL MARKET
This section outlines the differences between domestic, export,
international, multinational, global, and transnational marketing.
1. Domestic Marketing
Marketing that is targeted exclusively on the homes -country market is
called domestic marketing. A company engaged in domestic marketing
may be doing this consciously as a strategic choice or it may be
unconsciously focusing on the domestic market in order to avoid the
challenge of learning how to market outside the home country.
2. Export Marketing
Export marketing is the first stage of addressing market opportunities
outside the home country. The export marketer targets markets outside
the home country and relies upon home-country production to supply
product for these markets. The focus in this stage is upon leveraging
home-country products and experience. A export marketer will study
target markets and adapt products to meet the specific needs of
customers in each country.
3. International Marketing
The international marketer goes beyond the export marketer and
becomes more involved in the marketing environment in the countrie s
in which it is doing business. For example, the international marketer is
prepared to source product outside the home country in order to gain
greater competitive advantage. The international marketer is less likely
to rely upon intermediaries and is mor e likely to establish direct
representation to coordinate the marketing effort in target markets.
4. Multinational Marketing
The international marketing organization begins by focusing on
leveraging a company`s experience and products. As it focuses upon
this task, it becomes aware of the differences and unique circumstances
in the country, and establishes a new role for itself adapting the
company`s marketing to the unique needs and wants of customers in the
country. The multinational marketing organization would develop a
unique communication program for its market.
5. Global/Transnational Marketing
Global/transnational marketing focuses upon leveraging a company`s
assets, experience, and products globally and upon adapting to what is
truly unique and different in each country. It recognizes cultural
universals and unique market differences. Instead of an international
company approach of applying the communications campaign
developed for the home country, or a multinational approach of
creating a unique campaign in each country, the global/transnational
company would distinguish between what was global and universal and
what was country specific and unique. For example, it might conclude
based upon in-depth research that it should develop a global creative
platform for a product where sampling was a key success factor in
gaining market penetration. The task of each country marketing team in
this case would be to develop a unique national sampling plan. The
country marketing team would draw upon global creat ive and combine
that with national sampling.
Global marketing does not mean entering every country in the world.
The decision to enter markets outside the home country depends upon a
company`s resources and the nature of opportunities and threats. Coke
and IBM operate in over 100 countries because they began their
international expansion over 50 years ago and they have had the
resources to establish themselves wherever there is opportunity.
1.6. DRIVING FORCES FOR INTERNATIONAL MARKETING
The following are the forces that are contributing to the growth of
international marketing.
1. Market Needs and Effort
There is a common element in human nature and in the human psyche that
is the underlying basis for the opportunity to create and serve global
markets. Most global markets do not exist in nature. They must be created
by marketing effort. For example, soft drinks, one of the biggest successful
global industries, are not needed by anyone and yet today in some countries
soft-drink consumption per capita exceeds the consumption of water.
Marketing has driven this change in behavior.
Advanced global companies have discovered that the same basic segment
need can be met with a global approach in selected product markets.
Successful global strategies are based on performing a global function or
serving a global need. Any industry which addresses these universals is a
candidate for globalization. The advertising campaign for a global product
may be a global appeal which is adapted to each national culture.
2. Technology
A powerful force drives the world toward a converging commonality,
and that force is technology. Technology is a universal, uniform,
consistent factor across national and cultural boundaries. There are no
cultural boundaries limiting the application of technology. Once a
technology is developed, it immediately becomes available everywhere
in the world. If a company knows how to manage a technology in one
country, it has experience that is relevant for the rest of the world.
3. Cost
The pressure for globalization is intense when new products involve
major investments and long periods of development. This is true for
pharmaceuticals, where new product typically cost $50 million to $100
million to develop over a period of six to ten years. The enormous cost
and risk of new product development must be recovered in the global
marketplace, as no single national market is large enough to support
investments of this size.
4. Quality
Global volume generates greater revenue and greater operating margins
to support design and manufacturing quality. A global and a local
company may each spend 5 percent of sales on research and
development, but the global company may have two, three, or even ten
times the total revenue of the local. With the same percentage of sales
spent on research and development, the global will outspend the local
by a factor of two, three, or ten times, as the case may be.
5. Communications and Transportation
The information revolution contributes toward the emergence of global
markets. Everybody wants the best, latest, and most modern expression
of a products. In regional markets such as Europe, the increasing
overlap of advertising across national boundaries and the mobility of
consumers have created a pressure on marketers to align product
positioning and strategy in adjacent markets. You see this in companies
like Nestle who have a tradition of decentralized country marketing
efforts and who operate in markets where local tastes have developed
over centuries. Even this combination of local prefere nces and
decentralized marketing is subject to the pressure of overlapping
communications and travel.
6. Leverage
One of the unique advantages of a global company is an opportunity to
develop leverage and advantages that it has because it operates
simultaneously in more than one national market. A global can develop
five types of leverage.
i) Experience Transfers: A global company can leverage its experience
in any market in the world. It can draw upon strategies, products,
advertising appeals, sales management practices, promotional ideas,
and so on that have been tested in actual markets and apply them in
other comparable markets.
ii) Systems Transfers: A global company can refine its planning,
analysis, research control, and other system and apply the
refinements worldwide. The leveraging of systems improvements
also makes it possible for company staff to communicate with each
other.
iii) Scale Economies: In manufacturing, the global company can take
advantage of its greater volume to obtain the traditional single -plant
scale advantages and it can also combine into finished product
components manufactured in scale efficient plants in different
countries.
iv) Resource Utilization: A major strength of the global company is its
ability to scan the entire world to identify people, money, and
materials will enable it to compete most effectively in world
markets.
v) Global Strategy: The global company`s greatest single advantage is
its global strategy. A global strategy is based on scanning the world
business environment to ident ify opportunities, threats, trends, and
resources. The global company searches the world for markets that
will provide an opportunity to apply its skills and resources to
create value for customers that is greater than the value created by
its competitors. The global strategy is a design to create a winning
offering on a global scale. This takes great discipline, great
creativity, and constant effort, but the reward is not just success-it`s
survival.
1.7. COMPLEXITIES IN INTERNATIONAL MARKETING
This section outlines the various complexity in international marketing.
1. Market Differences
In every product category, differences are still great enough across
national and cultural boundaries to require adoption of at least some
elements of the marketing mix (product, price, advertising and
promotion, and channels of distribution). Global marketing does not
work without a strong local team who can adapt the product to local
conditions.
2. Brand History
Even in cases where the product itself may be a good candidate for
globalization, a brand`s history may require a distinct and different
marketing strategy and positioning in each country. This is true even
for high-potential products such as the image-driven brands. If a brand
has an established identity in national markets, it may not be possible
to achieve a single global position and strategy.
3. Management Myopia
In many cases, products and categories are candidates for globalization,
but management does not seize the opportunity. A good example of
management myopia is any company that does not maintain leadership
in creating customer value in an expanding geographical territory. A
company that looks backward will not expand geographically.
4. Organizational Culture
The successful global companies are marketers w ho have learned how
to integrate global vision and perspective with local market initiative
and input.
5. National Controls/Barriers to Entry
Every country protects local enterprise and interests by maintaining
control over market access and entry. Today, tariff barriers have been
largely removed in the high-income countries. The significant barriers
are the so-called non-traiff barriers that make it difficult for foreign
companies to gain access to a domestic market. The worldwide
movement toward deregulation and privatization, by breaking the link
between government and enterprise, is an initiative that will lead to a
significant opening up of formerly closed markets.
1.8. SIGNIFICANCE OF INTERNATIONAL MARKETING AND
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
The role of foreign trade in economic development is considerable. The
classical and neo-classical economists attached so much importance to
international trade in a country`s development that they regarded it as
an engine of growth. We shall discuss how international trade helps
economic development towards the progress of less developed
countries. (LDCs)
This section focus on direct and indirect benefits on foreign trade to
LDCs
International trade possesses great importance for LDCs.
It provides the urge to develop the knowledge and experience that make
development possible, and the means to accomplish it. Herberlier
opines, My overall conclusion is that international trade has made a
tremendous contribution to the development of less developed countries
in the 19th and 20th centuries and can be expected to make an equally
big contribution in the future.... And that substantial free trade with
marginal, insubstantial correction and deviations, is the best policy
from the point of view of economic development.
When a country specializes in the production of a few goods due to
international trade and division of labour, it exports those commodities
which it produces cheaper in exchange for what others can produce at a
lower cost. It gains from trade and there is increase in national income
which, in turn, raises the level of output and the growth rate of
economy. Thus the higher level of output through trade tends to break
the vicious circle of poverty and promotes economic development.
An LDC is hampered by the small size of its domestic market which
fails to absorb sufficient volume of output. This leads to low
inducement to investment. The size of the market is also small because
of low per capita income and of purchasing power. International trade
widens the market and increases the inducement to invest income and
saving through more efficient resource allocation.
Myint has applied Smith`s vent for surplus theory to the LDCs for
measuring the effects of gains from international trade. The introducing
of foreign trade opens the possibility of a vent for surplus (or
potential surplus) in the primary producing LDCs. Since land and
labour are underutilized in the traditional subsistence sector in such a
country, its opening up to foreign trade provides larger opportunities to
produce more primary products in exchange for imports of
manufactured products which it cannot itself produce. Thus it benefit
from international trade.
The vent for surplus theory, as applied to an LDC, is explained in
Fig.1.2. Before trade with under utilised resources, the country is
producing and consuming OX1 of primary products and X1E of
manufactured products at point E inside the production possibilit y
curve AB. With the opening up of foreign trade, the production point
shifts from E to D on the production possibility curve AB. Now the
utilisation of formerly underutilised land and labour enables the
country to increase its production of primary exportables from OX 1 to
OX2 without any sacrifice in the production of other goods and
services. Given the international terms of trade line PP`, the country
exchanges ED (=X1X2) more of primary exportable against EC larger
manufactured importables.
P
C
e
l
b A
a
t
r
o
p
m
I
D
E
P`
Fig 1.2
O
X1
X2
B
Exportable
Moreover, many underdeveloped countries specialize in the production of
one or two staple commodities. If efforts are made to export them, they
tend to widen the market. The existing resources are employed more
productively and the resources allocation becomes more efficient with given
production functions.
As a result, unemployment and underemployment are reduced; domestic
saving and investment increase; there is a larger inflow of factor inputs
into the expanding export sector; and greater backward and forward
linkages with other sectors of the economy. This is known as the
staple theory of economic growth, associated with Watkins. Foreign
trade also helps to transform the subsistence sector into the monetized
sector by providing markets for farm produce and raises the income and
the standards of living of the peasantry. The expansion of the market
leads to a number of internal and external economies, and hence to
reduction in cost of production. These are the direct or static gains from
international trade.
Let us study the following indirect benefits of foreign trade to under
developed countries in detail.
First, foreign trade helps to exchange domestic goods having low
growth potential for foreign goods with high growth potential. The
staple commodities of underdeveloped countries are exchanged for
machinery, capital goods, raw materials, and semi-finished products
required for economic development. Being deficient in capital goods
and materials, they are able to quicken the pace of development by
importing them from developed countries, and establishing social and
economic overheads and directly productive activities. Thus larger
exports enlarge the volume of imports of equipment that can be
financed without endangering the balance of payments and the greater
degree of freedom makes it easier to plan domestic investment for
development.
Second, foreign trade possesses an educative effect. Underdeveloped
countries lack in critical skills, which are a greater hindrance to
development than is the scarcity of capital goods. Foreign trade tends
to overcome this weakness.
Third, foreign trade provides the basis for the importation of foreign
capital in LDCs. If there were no foreign trade, foreign capital would
not flow from the rich to the poor countries. The volume of foreign
capital depends, among other factors, on the volume of t rade. The
larger the volume of trade, the greater will be the ease with which a
country can pay back interest and principal. It is, however, much easier
to get foreign capital for export-increasing industries than for import
substitution and public utility industries. But from the point of view of
the importing country, the use of foreign capital for import substitution,
public utilities and manufacturing industries is more beneficial for
accelerating development than merely for export promotion. Foreign
capital not only helps in increasing employment, output and income but
also smoothens the balance of payments and inflationary pressures.
Further; it provides machines, equipments, know-how, skills, ideas, and
trains native labour.
Lastly, foreign trade benefits an LDC indirectly by fostering healthy
competition and checking inefficient monopolies. Healthy competition
is essential for the development of the export sector of such economies
and for checking inefficient exploitative monopolies that are usually
established on the grounds of infant industry protection.
1.9. THE GLOBAL MARKETING ENVIRONMENT
1. Demographic Environment
Demography is the study of human populations in terms of size,
density, location, age, gender, race, occupation, and other statistics .
The demographic environment is of major interest to marketers because
it involves people, and people make up markets.
The world population is growing at an explosive rate. It now totals
more than 5.9 billion and will exceed 7.9 billion by the year 2025. the
explosive world population growth has major implications for business.
A growing population means growing human needs to satisfy.
Depending on purchasing power, it may also mean growing market
opportunities.
The world`s large and highly diverse populat ion poses both
opportunities and challenges. Thus, marketers keep close track of
demographic trends and developments in their markets, both at home
and abroad. They track changing age and family structures, geographic
population shifts, educational charact eristics, and population diversity.
2. Economic Environment
The economic environment consists of factors that affect consumer
purchasing power and spending patterns. Nations vary greatly in their
levels and distribution of income. Some countries have subs istence
economies they consume most of their own agricultural and industrial
output. These countries offer few market opportunities. At the other
extreme are industrial economies, which constitute rich markets for
many different kinds of goods. Marketers must pay close attention to
major trends and consumer spending patterns both across and within
their world markets.
Marketers should pay attention to income distribution as well as
average income. Income distribution in the still very poor. At the top
are upper-class consumers, whose spending patterns are not affected by
current economic events and who are a major market for luxury goods.
There is a comfortable middle class that is some what careful about its
spending but can still afford the good life some of the time. The
working class must stick close to the basics of food, clothing, and
shelter and must try hard to save. Finally, the poor class must count
their pennies when making even the most basic purchases. Over the
past three decades, the rich have grown richer, the middle class has
shrunk, and the poor have remained poor.
3. Natural Environment
The natural environment involves the natural resources that are needed
as inputs by marketers or that are affected by marketing activities.
Marketers should be aware of several trends in the natural environment.
The first involves growing shortages of raw materials. Air and water
may seem to be infinite resources, but some group see long-run
dangers. Air pollution chokes many of the world`s large cities and
water shortages are already a big problem in some parts of the world.
Renewable resources, such as forests and food, also have to be used
wisely. Nonrenewable resources, such as oil, coal, and various
minerals, pose a serious problem. Firms making resources, such as oil,
coal, and various minerals, pose a serious problem. Firms making
products that require these scarce resources face large cost increases,
even if the materials do remain available.
A second environmental trend is increased pollution. Industry will
almost always damage the quality of the natural environment. Consider
the disposal of chemical and nuclear wastes; the dangerous mercury
levels in the ocean; the quantity of chemical pollutants in the soil and
food supply; and the littering of the environment with non-
biodegradable bottles, plastics, and other packaging materials.
A third trend is increased government intervention in natural resource
management. The governments of different countries vary in their
concern and efforts to promote a clean environment.
4. Technological Environment
The technological environment is perhaps the most dramatic force now
shaping our destiny. Technology has released such wonders as
antibiotics, organ transplants, computers, and the Internet. It also has
released such horrors as nuclear missiles, chemical weapons, and
assault rifles. It has released such mixed blessing as the automobile,
television, and credit cards.
New technologies create new markets and opportunities. However,
every new technology replaces an o lder technology. Transistors hurt the
vacuum-tube industry, xerography hurt the carbon-paper business, the
auto hurt the railroads, and compact disks hurt phonograph records.
When old industries fought or ignored new technologies, their
businesses declined. Thus, marketers should watch the technological
environment closely. Companies that do not keep up with technological
change soon will find their products outdated. And they will miss new
product and market opportunities.
4. Political Environment
Marketing decisions are strongly affected by developments in the political
environment. The political environment consists of laws, government
agencies, and pressure groups that influence and limit various organizations
and individuals in a given society.
Even the most liberal advocates of free-market economies agree that
the system works best with at least some regulation. Well-conceived
regulation can encourage competition and ensure fair markets for goods
and services. Thus, governments develop public policy to guide
commerce-sets of laws and regulations that limit business for the good
of society as a whole. Almost every marketing activity is subject to a
wide range of laws and regulations.
Legislation affecting business around the world has increased steadily
over the years. The States has many laws covering issues such as
competition, fair trade practices, environmental protection, product
safety, truth in advertising, packaging and labeling, pricing, and other
important areas. The European Commission has been active in
establishing a new framework of laws covering competitive behavior,
product standards, product liability, and commercial transactions for
the nations of the European Union. Several countries have gone father
than the United States in passing stro ng consumerism legislation. For
example, Norway bans several forms of sales promotion trading stamps,
contests, and premiums as being inappropriate or unfair ways of
promoting products. Thailand requires food processors selling national
brands to market low-price brands also, so that low-income consumers
can find economy brands on the shelves. In India, food companies must
obtain special approval to launch brands that duplicate those already
existing on the market.
5. Cultural Environment
The cultural environment is made up of institutions and other forces
that affect a society`s basic values, perceptions, preferences, and
behaviors. People grow up in a particular society that shapes their basic
beliefs and values. They absorb a world view that defines the ir
relationships with others.
People in a given society hold many beliefs and values. Their core
beliefs and values have a high degree of persistence. For example, most
Indians believe in working, getting married, giving to charity, and
being honest. These beliefs shape more-specific attitudes and behaviors
found in everyday life. Core beliefs and values are passed on from
parents to children and are reinforced by schools, churches, business,
and government. The notion of various environmental forces to glo bal
company is shown in figure 1.3.
ographic Economic Natural Technological Political Cultu
pany's Macro Environm
r
a
Dem
e
l
n
Forces Forces Forces Forces Forces Forces
t
Com
Fig. 1.3 Environmental Forces to Global Company
1.10. INTERNATIONAL TRADE IS FUNDAMENTALLY DIFFERENT
FROM INTERREGIONAL TRADE :
Interregional trade refers to trade between regions within a country. It
is what Ohlin calls inter-local trade. Thus interregional trade is
domestic or internal trade. International trade, on the other hand, is
trade between two nations or countries. A controversy has been going
on among economists whether there is any difference between
interregional or domestic trade and international trade. The classical
economists held that there were certain fundamental differences
between interregional trade and international trade. Accordingly, they
propounded a separate theory of international trade which is known as
the theory of comparative costs. But modern economists like Bertil
Ohlin and Haberler contest this view and opine that the differences
between interregional and international trade are of degree rather than
of kind
There are several reasons to believe the classical view that interna tional
trade is fundamentally differ from interregional trade as following
manner.
1. Factor ? Immobility: The classical economists advocated a separate
theory of international trade on the ground that factors of production are
freely mobile within each region as between places and occupations and
immobile between countries entering into international trade. Labour and
capital are regarded as immobile between countries while they are
perfectly mobile within a country. There is complete adjustment to wage
differences and factor-price disparities within a country with quick and
easy movement of labour and other factors from low return to high return
sectors. But no such movements are possible internationally. The reasons
for international immobility of labour are differences in languages,
customs, occupational skills, unwillingness to leave familiar surroundings,
and family ties, the high traveling expenses to the foreign country, and
restrictions imposed by the foreign country on labour immigration. The
international mobility of capital is restricted not by transport costs but by
the difficulties of legal redress, political uncertainty, ignorance of the
prospects of investment in a foreign country, imperfections of the banking
system, instability of foreign currencies, mistrust of the foreigner, etc.
Thus widespread legal and other restrictions exist in the movement of
labour and capital between countries. But such problems do not arise in
the case of interregional trade.
2. Differences in Natural Resources : Different countries are endowed
with different types of natural resources. Hence they tend to specialize
in the production of those commodities in which they are richly
endowed and trade them with others where such resources are scarce. In
Australia, land is in abundance but labour and capital are relatively
scarce. On the contrary, capital is relatively abundant and cheap in
England while land is scarce and dear there. Thus commodities
requiring more capital, such as manufactures, can be produced in
England; while such commodities as wool, mutton, wheat etc. requiring
more land can be produced in Australia. Thus both countries can trades
each other commodities on the basis of comparative cost differences in
the production of different commodities.
3. Geographical and Climate Differences : Every country cannot
produce all commodities due to geographical and climatic conditions,
except at possibly prohibitive costs. For instance, Brazil has favourable
climate and geographical conditions for the production of co ffee,
Bangladesh for jute, Cuba for beet sugar, etc. So countries having
climatic and geographical advantages specialize in the production of
particular commodities and trade them with others.
4. Different Market : International markets are separated by di fferences
in language, usage, habit, taste, etc. Even the systems of weights and
measures and pattern and styles in machinery and equipment differ
from country to country. For instance, British railway engines and
freight cars are basically different from those in France or in the United
States. Thus goods which may be traded within regions may not be sold
in other countries. That is why, in great many cases products to be sold
in foreign countries are especially designed to confirm to the national
characteristics of that country.
5. Different Currencies : The principle difference between interregional
and international trade lies in the use of different currencies in foreign
trade but the same currency in domestic trade. Rupee is accepted
throughout India. But if we cross over to Nepal or Pakistan, we must
convert our rupee into their rupee to buy good and services there.
It is not the differences in currencies alone that are important in
international trade, but changes in their relative values. Every time a
change occurs in the value of one currency in terms of another, a
number of economic problems arise. Calculation and execution of
monetary exchange transactions incident to international trading
constitute costs and risks of a kind that are not ordinarily involved in
domestic trade. Further currencies of some countries like the American
dollar, the British pound, the German mark and the Japanese yen, are
more widely used in international transactions, while others are almost
inconvertible. Such tendencies tend to create more economic problems
at the international market.
6. Problem of Balance of Payment : Another important point which
distinguishes international trade from interregional trade is the problem
of balance of payments. The problem of balance o f payment is
perpetual in international trade while regions within a country have no
such problem. This is because there is greater mobility of capital within
regions than between countries. Further, the policies which a country
chooses to correct its disequilibrium in the balance of payments may
give rise to a number of other problems. If it adopts deflation or
devaluation or restrictions on imports or the movement of currency,
they create further problems. But such problems do not arise in the case
of interregional trade.
7. Transport Cost : Trade between countries involves high transport
costs as against interregionally within a country because of
geographical distances.
8. Different Political Groups : A significant distinction between
interregional and international trade is that all regions within a country
belong to one political unit while different countries have different political
units. Interregional trade is among people belonging to the same country
even though they may differ on the basis of castes, creeds, religions, tastes
or customs. They have a sense of belonging to one nation and their loyalty
to the region is secondary. The government is also interested more in the
welfare of its nationals belonging to different regions. But in international
trade there is no cohension among nations and every country trades with
other countries in its own interests and often to the detriment of others.
9. Different National Policies: Another difference between
interregional and international trade arises fr om the fact that policies
relating to commerce, trade, taxation, etc. are the same within a
country. But in international trade there are artificial barriers in the
form of quotas, import duties, tariffs, exchange controls, etc. on the
movement of goods and services from one country to another. Such
restrictions are not found in interregional trade to impede the flow of
goods between regions.
Therefore the classical economists asserted on the basis of the above
arguments that international trade was fundamentally different from
domestic or interregional trade. Hence, they evolved a separate theory
for international trade based on the principle of comparative cost
differences.
1.11. WHY GLOBAL MAKETING IS IMPERATIVE
In this section, we focus on reasons for global market as imperative
concept.
First and fundamentally, domestic-market saturation in the
industrialized parts of the world forced many companies to look for
marketing opportunities beyond their national boundaries. The
economic and population growths in developing countries also, gave
those companies an additional incentive to venture abroad. Now
companies from emerging economies, such as Korea`s Samsung and
Hyundai and Mexico`s Cemex and Grupo Modelo, have made inroads
into the developed markets around the world.
Second, there is a strong competition around the world. About twenty years
ago, the world`s greatest automobile manufacturers were General Motors,
Ford, and Chrysler. Today, companies like Toyota, Honda, BMW, and
DaimlerChrysler (a recent merger of Daimler-Benz and Chrysler), among
others, stand out as competitive nameplates in the automobile market.
Similarly, personal computer was almost synonymous with IBM, which
dominated the PC business worldwide. Today, the computer market is
crowded with Dell and Compaq from the United States, Toshiba and NEC
from Japan, Acer from Taiwan, and so on. Color TVs were invented in the
United States, but today it is almost impossible to find a color TV made by
U.S. companies. Instead, foreign brands such as Sony, Panasonic, and
Magnavox are in most home in the United States. Even RCA and Zenith
television are made overseas. Nike is a U.S. company with a truly all-
American shoe brand, but its shoes are all made in foreign countries and
exported to the United States. Burger King and Pillsbury (known for its
Haagen-Dazs ice cream brand) are two American institutions owned and
managed across the Atlantic Ocean by Diageo, a newly created company as
a result of the merger of Britain`s Grand Metropolitan PLC and Guinness
PLC.
Third, another profound change in the last decade is the proliferation of
the Internet and electronic commerce, or e-commerce. The Internet opened
the gates for companies to sell direct-to-consumers easily across national
bondaries. Many argue that e-commerce is less intimate than face-to-face
retail, but it could actually provide more targeted demographic and
psychographic information. Manufacturers that traditionally sell through
the retail channel may benefit the most from e-commerce. Furthermore,
customer information no longer is held hostage by the retail channel. Most
important, the data allow for the development of relevant marketing
messages aimed at important customers and loyal relationships on a global
basis.
An examination of the top one hundred largest companies in the world
also vividly illustrates the profound changes in competitive milieu that
we have seen in the past thirty years (see Table 1.2). Of the top
hundred largest industrial companies in the world, sixty-four were from
the United States in 1970 in 1980 the number declined to forty-five
companies. The latest figure came down to twenty four in 1997 (not
shown) and went back up to thirty-five in 1999.
The number of Japanese companies in the top hundred has increased
from eight in 1970 to twenty-four in 1999, almost a threefold increase.
A similar increase has also been observed with French companies, from
three in 1970 to ten in 1997. The relative decline in the number of U.S.
companies in the top is reflected in the banking, insu rance, and other
services sectors, as well as in the manufacturing sectors. The current
world economy has changed drastically from what it was merely a
decade ago.
The changes observed in the past thirty years simply reflect that
companies from other parts of the world have grown in size relative to
those of the United States. In other words, today`s environment is
characterized by much more competition from around the world than in
the past. As a result, many U.S. executives are feeling much more
competitive urgency in product development, materials procurement,
manufacturing, and marketing around the world.
The competition is not the only force shaping global business today.
Particularly in the past several years, many political and economic
events have affected the nature of global business. The demise of the
Soviet Union, the establishment of the European Union and the North
American Free Trade Agreement, deregulation, and privatization of
state-owned industries have also changed the market environments
around the world. Furthermore, the emerging markets of Eastern
Europe and the rapidly re-emerging markets of Southeast Asia
contribute to an international climate.
Table 1.2
CHANGE IN THE WORLD`S 100 LARGEST COMPANIES AND
THEIR NATIONALITIES
Country
1970
1980
1990
1999*
United States
64
45
33
35
Japan
8
8
16
24
Germany
8
13
12
13
France
3
12
10
10
Switzerland
2
3
3
5
Netherlands
4
5
3
5
Britain
9
7
8
5
Italy
3
4
4
3
Belgium
0
1
1
1
Venezuela
0
1
1
0
China
0
0
0
1
South Korea
0
0
2
0
Spain
0
0
2
0
Sweden
0
0
2
0
Brazil
0
1
1
0
Mexico
0
1
1
0
Austria
0
0
1
0
Finland
0
0
1
0
South Africa
0
0
1
0
Canada
0
2
0
0
Australia
1
0
0
0
Total
102
103
102
102**
Source: Fortune, various issues up to 2000.
*Fortune 500 criteria changed to include ser vices firm (including
retailing and trading)
**Includes joint nationality of firms (joint nationality, has been
counted for both the countries), so the total may exceed 100.
The fluid nature of global markets and competition makes the study of
global marketing not only interesting but also challenging and
rewarding. The term global epitomizes both the competitive pressure
and the expanding market opportunities all over the world.
1.12. REQUIRMENTS FOR A SUCCESSFUL GLOBAL MARKETING
PLAN
The successful global plan is an integrated set of effective national
marketing plans. Each national marketing plan should be based upon
three foundations:
1. Knowledge of the market and the marketing environment -especially
of customers, competitors, and the government.
2. Knowledge of the product-the formal product, its technology, and
its core benefit.
3. knowledge of the marketing function and discipline.
A global/transnational company must decide how it will obtain these
three key types of knowledge on a global basis. It must a lso decide how
it will assign responsibility for formulating a marketing plan. If plan
formulation is assigned to national subsidiaries, the global headquarters
must ensure that the subsidiary planners are fully informed on the
technical and engineering characteristics of the product as well as up to
date in their functional skills. One of the ways of doing this is to
involve headquarters marketing staff specialists in the planning process
so that they can ensure that the highest standard of product and
functional knowledge is associated with the local marketing staff`s
market knowledge.
Thus, the global/transnational plan is neither the product of the
subsidiary nor the product of headquarters. It is neither top down nor
bottom up but rather an interact ive product that combines inputs from
both the global and the local perspective. This balance is essential if
the plan is to approximate the objective of global optimization as
opposed to national suboptimizaiton.
The global/transnational plan should be initiated by a global overview
that assesses the broad nature of opportunity and threat on a global
basis and breaks down this assessment on a country-by-country basis
with an indication of sales and earnings targets for each country. These
targets are proposed by headquarters as guidance to each national
organization for the formulation of country plans. Guidance at this
stage of the process should be guidance, and not a directive. The
national organization should come up with its own target, and compare
that to the target suggested by world headquarters. If there is a
difference between the country target and the national organization
target, this should openly challenge headquarters, and the challenge
should produce a dialogue that searches for the realistic target. After
receiving guidance from headquarters, country units need to develop
programs that will achieve the targets specified by the guidance. After
preparing their plans, headquarters and subsidiaries come together to
negotiate an agreement. Headquarters is seeking to performance from
each company unit and the integration of its global plan. If a country
unit is a supplier for home-country and third-country markets,
production schedules and transfer prices must be agreed upon. If a
country unit is to market a product produced elsewhere in the company,
the sales and delivery plans must be coordinated.
The following section explains three types of global marketing plan.
1. Standardized global marketing plan
A standardized global marketing plan offer s a number of advantages.
First, there are significant cost savings if standardization is practiced.
A company that limits the number of models and variants of its product
can achieve longer production runs and greater economies of scale.
This is elementary and has been demonstrated in actual practice
thousands of times over. Henry Ford was probably the first industrialist
to demonstrate the potential of mass production for achieving scale
economies and creating a national market. Similarly, the Italian
appliance industry during the 1960s achieved remarkable cost reduction
through standardization and long production runs and in the process
took a leadership position in Europe. Of course, cost savings can be
achieved not only in production but also in packa ging, in distribution,
and in the creation of advertising materials. There are other benefits of
standardization. In an increasingly mobile world a standardized product
is the same in every national market and is therefore uniform for
increasing numbers of customers who travel across national boundaries.
There are pressures today to standardize products so that the customer
can develop standardized programs in its operations. Another benefit of
standardization is that it extends successful products and good ideas
into all markets. There are, however, a number of obstacles to
standardization. Market characteristics may be so different in so many
major ways that it is impossible to offer a standardized product. There
was, for example, simply no significant mar ket in Europe (or Japan and
many other countries) for the 3,500-4,000-1b, 120 wheel-base U.S.
automobile. It was too big to fit in the streets, it consumed too much
gasoline, it cost too much to license, and it did not appeal to the taste
of automobile buyers outside the United States. American automobile
manufactures who wish to compete in more than a very minor segment
of the world market must adapt their product or develop products to
suit market preferences in the rest of the world.
2. Decentralized Global Marketing Plan
Many companies have followed a decentralized planning approach
either because of poor results using the standardized approach or after
nothing the many differences from country to country in market
environments. This approach has received perhaps more support in
marketing than any other functional area. An executive of a major
international company expressed this view as follows. Marketing is
conspicuous by its absence from the functions which can be planned at
the corporate headquarters level. It is in this phase of overseas business
activity that the variations in social patterns and the subtlety of local
conditions have the most pronounced effect on basic business strategy
and tactics. For this reason, the responsibility for marketing planning
must be carried out by those overseas executives who are most familiar
with the local environment.
A common feature of both the standardized and the decentralized
approaches is the absence of responsibility for analysis and planning at
the headquarters level for multicountry marketing programs. In the
standardized case such activities are assumed to be unnecessary. Once
the marketing problem is solved for the home country, it is solved for
the world. In the decentralized company the need for ana lysis and
planning to respond to local conditions is recognized, but it is assumed
that knowledgeable efforts can only be attempted at the country level
and that there is no opportunity for effective supranational participation
in these activities.
3. Interactive Global Marketing Plan
A third approach to formulating a global marketing plan is the
interactive, or integrated, approach. This is superior to either the
standardized or the local plan because it draws on the strengths of each
of these approaches in planning to formulate a synthesis. Under the
interactive marketing planning approach, subsidiaries are responsible
for identifying the unique characteristics of their market and ensuring
that the marketing plan responds to local characteristics.
Headquarters, both global and regional, is responsible for establishing a
broad strategic framework for planning in such matters as deciding on
major goals and objectives and on where to allocate resources. In
addition, headquarters must coordinate and rationaliz e the product
design, advertising, pricing, and distribution activities of each
subsidiary operation. Headquarters must constantly be alert to the
trade-off of concentrating staff activities at headquarters location in an
attempt to achieve a high level of performance versus the advantages of
decentralizing staff activities and assigning people directly to
subsidiaries.
Each decision must stand on its own merit, but there are significant
opportunities for the improvement of performance and cost saving by
concentrating certain activities at one location. For example, many
companies have successfully centralized the preparation of advertising
appeals at world or regional headquarters. Another activity that can be
done in one location is product design. Information and design criteria
need to come from the world, but the design itself can be done by one
design team in a single location.
1.13. INTERNATIONAL MARKET ORIENTATION ? EPRG
FRAMEWORK:
Dr. Howard Perlmutter of the University of Pennsylvania first observe d
that there were three basic orientations guiding the work of
international executives: ethnocentric, polycentric, and geocentric. This
was later expanded to include a regional orientation and became an
EPRG
schema
(ethnocentrism,
polycentrism,
regioncent rism,
geocentrism). This typology, summarized in Figure 1.4, is the basis for
the stages of corporate development framework.
The ethnocentric orientation is an assumption that the home country is
superior. It believes that the products and practices that succeed in the
home country are superior and, therefore, should be used everywhere.
In the ethnocentric company, overseas operations are viewed as being
secondary to domestic and primarily as a means of disposing of surplus
domestic production. Plans for o verseas markets are developed in the
home office utilizing policies and procedures identical to those
employed at home. There is no systematic marketing research
conducted overseas, there are no major modifications to products, and
there is no real attention to consumer needs in foreign markets.
Polycentric
Each Host
Country is Unique
Ethnocentric :
Sees Differences
Home Country
in Foreign
is Superior,
Countries
Sees Similarities
in Foreign Countries
Regocentric :
Sees Similarities
Geocentric
and Differences
World View
in a World Region
Sees Similarities
is Ethnocentric or Polycentric
and Differences in
in its Views of
Home and Host Countries
the Rest of the World
Figure 1.4 : EPRG Frame work
The polycentric orientation is the opposite. This is the unconscious
belief that each host country is unique and different and that the way to
succeed in each country is to adapt to each country`s unique
differences. In the polycentric stage, subsidiaries are establish ed in
overseas markets. Each subsidiary operates independently of the others
and establishes its own marketing objectives and plans. Marketing is
organized on a country-by-country basis, with each country having its
own unique marketing policy.
In the regiocentric and geocentric phases, the company views the region or
entire world as a market and seeks to develop integrated regional or world
market strategies. The geocentric orientation is a synthesis of the
ethnocentric and the polycentric orientation. The regiocentric or regional
orientation is a geocentric orientation that is limited to a region; that is,
management will have a world view toward its region, but will regard the
rest of the world with either an ethonocentric or a polycentric orientation,
or a combination of the two. The ethnocentric company is centralized in
its marketing management, the polycentric company is decentralized, and
the regiocentric and geocentric companies are integrated.
The ethnocentric orientation is based on a belief in ho me-country
superiority. This leads to an extension of home country products,
polices, and programs. The assumption of the polycentric approach is
that there are so many differences in cultural, economic, and market
conditions in each of the countries of the world that it is impossible to
attempt to introduce any product, policy, or program from outside or to
integrate any country`s program in a regional or world context.
To implement the geocentric orientations, experienced international
management and a great deal of commitment are required. For
companies with limited experience, it may be wiser to adopt a
centralized or a decentralized strategy and wait until experience
accumulates before attempting to design and implement integrated
marketing programs.
1.14. INTERNATIONAL MARKET ENTRY STRATEGIES
Entry decision of global market will heavily influence the firm`s other
marketing-mix decisions. Several decision need to be made. The firm has
to decide on (1) the target product/market, (2) the goals of target markets,
(3) the mode of entry, (4) the time of entry, (5) a marketing-mix plan, and
(6) a control system to monitor the performance in the entered market. This
section will cover the major decisions that constitute market entry
strategies.
A crucial step in developing a global expansion strategy is the selection
of potential target markets. Companies adopt many different approaches to
pick target markets. A flowchart for one of the approaches is given in
figure 1.5. A four step procedure as given belo w may explain the
initial screening process.
Step 1: Select indicators and collect data.
First, you need to pick a set of socioeconomic and political
indicators you believe are critical. The indicators that a
company selects are, to a large degree, driven by the strategic
objectives spelled out in the company`s global mission.
Colgate-Palmolive, for instance, views per capita purchasing
power as a major driver behind market opportunities. Coca-Cola
looks at per capita income and the number of minutes that it
would take somebody to work to be able to afford a Coca-Cola
product. McDonald`s starts with countries that are similar to the
United States in lifestyle, with a large proportion of women
working, and shorter hours for lunch. Information on these
country indicators can easily be gathered from publicly
available data sources. Typically, countries that do well on one
indictor (say, market size) rate poorly on other indicators (say,
market growth). Somehow, we need to combine our information
to come up with an overall measure of market attractiveness for
43
these candidate markets.
No
Do we have products that can
Probably be marketed abroad?
Yes
No
Should we investigate foreign
markets?
Yes
Does preliminary screening
No
indicate potential target
country markets?
Yes
Does
secondary
data
analysis
No
Continue to
indicate
a
country
with
high
exploit home
sales
potential?
market only
Yes
Do primary (field data
No
Support secondary data
Yes
Redesign
Is our entry mode the most
No
entry
appropriate mode, given
mode
external factors and our
objectives?
Yes
Redesign
No
Is our marketing plan the
marketing
most appropriate one, given
plan
our resources and objectives?
Yes
No
Delay
Should we enter the foreign
entry
market now?
Yes
Operations
No
No
Redesign
Is
our
performance
satisfactory?
Withdraw
strategy
Yes
Yes
No
Should we investigate other
Stay
with
markets?
single
Figure 1.5 Logical Flow Model of the Entry Decision Process
marke
Step 2 : Determine importance of country indicators.
The second step is to determine the importance weights of each
of the different country indicators identified in the previous
step. One common method is the constant-sum allocation
technique. Here, you simply allocate one hundred points across
the set of indicators according to their importance in achieving
the company`s goals (e.g., market share). So, the more critical
the indicator, the higher the number of points it gets allocated.
The total number of points should add up to 100.
Step 3 : Rate the countries in the pool on each indicator.
Next, you give each country a score on each of the indicators.
For instance, you could use a 7-point scale (1 meaning very
unfavorable; 7 meaning very favorable). The better the
country does on a particular indicator, the higher the score.
Step 4 : Compute overall score for each country.
The final step is to derive an overall score for each prospect
country. To that end, you simply sum up the weighted scores
that the country obtained on each indicator. The weights are
the importance weights that were assigned to the indic ators in
the second step. Countries with the highest overall scores are
the ones that are most attractive. An example of this four -step
procedure is given in Table 1.3.
Sometimes, the company might desire to weed out countries that
do not meet a cut-off for criteria that are of paramount importance to
the company.
Table 1.3
METHOD FOR PRE-SCREENING MARKET OPPORTUNITIES:
EXAMPLE
Country
Per
Population Competition Political
Score
Capita
Risk
Income
A
50
25
30
40
3400*
B
20
50
40
10
3600
C
60
30
10
70
3650
D
20
20
70
80
3850
Weights
25
40
25
10
*(25 x 50) + (40 x 25) + (30 x 35) + (40 x 10) = 3400.
For instance Wrigley, the U.S. chewing gum maker, was not interested
in Latin America until recently because many of the local governments
imposed ownership restrictions. In that case, the four-step procedure
would be done only for the countries that stay in the pool.
CHOOSING THE MODE OF ENTRY
Several decision criteria will influence the choice of entry mode. In general,
two classes of decision criteria can be distinguished. 1. internal (firm-
specific) criteria 2. external (environment -specific) criteria. Let us first
consider the major external criteria.
1. Market Size and Growth: The key determinant of entry choice decision
is the size of the market. Large markets justify major resource
commitments in the form of joint ventures or wholly owned
subsidiaries. Market potential can relate to the current size of the
market. However, future market potential as measured via the growth
rate is often even more critical, especially when the target markets
include emerging markets.
2. Risk: Another major concern when choosing entry modes is the risk
factor. Risk relates to the instability in the political and economic
environment that may impact the company`s business prosp ects.
Generally speaking, the greater the risk factor, the less eager
companies are to make major resource commitments to the country
(or region) concerned. Evidently, the level of country risk changes
over time. For instance, the peace process in the Midd le East and
the abolishment of the apartheid regime in South Africa have lured
many MNCs to these regions. Many companies opt to start their
presence with a liaison office in markets that are high-risk but, at
the same time, look very appealing because of their size or growth
potential. For instance, MetLife, the insurance company, opened a
liaison office in Shanghai and Beijing while it is waiting for
permission from the Chinese government to start operations. A
liaison office functions then as a low-cost listening post to gather
market intelligence and establish contacts with potential distributors.
3. Government Regulation: Government requirements are also a major
consideration in entry mode choices. In scores of countries,
government regulations heavily constrain the set of available
options. Trade barriers of all different kinds restrict the entry choice
decision. In the car industry, local content requirements in countries
such as France and Italy played a major role behind the decision of
Japanese car makers like Toyota and Nissan to build up a local
manufacturing presence in Europe.
4. Competitive Environment: The nature of the competitive situation in
the local market is another driver. The dominance of Kellogg Co. as
a global player in the ready-to-eat cereal market was a key
motivation for the creation in the early 1990s of Cereal Partners
Worldwide, a joint venture between Nestle and General Mills. The
partnership gained some market share (compared to the combined
share of Nestle and General Mills prior to the linkup) in some of the
markets, though mostly at the expense of lesser players like Quaker
Oats and Ralston Purina.
5. Local Infrastructure: The physical infrastructure of a market refers
to the country`s distribution system, transportation network, and
communication system. In general, the poorer the local
infrastructure, the more reluctant the company is to commit major
resources (monetary or human).
All these factors combined determine the overall market attractiveness
of the countries being considered. Markets can be classified in five
types of countries based on their respective market attractiveness.
Platform countries can be used to gather intelligence and establish a
network. Example include Singapore and Hong Kong.
Emerging countries include Vietnam and the Philippines. Here the
major goal is to build up an initial presence for instance via a
liaison office.
Growth countries such as China and India can offer early mover
advantages. These often encourage companies to build up a
significant presence in order to capitalize on future market
opportunities.
Maturing and established countries include South Korea, Taiwan,
and Japan. These countries have far fewer growth prospects than the
other types of markets.
We now given on overview of the key internal criteria:
1. Company Objectives. Corporate objectives are a key influence in
choosing entry modes. Firms that have limited aspirations will
typically prefer entry options that entail a minimum amount of
commitment (e.g., licensing). Proactive companies w ith ambitious
strategic objectives, on the other hand, will usually pick entry
modes that give them the flexibility and control they need to
achieve their goals. Bridgestone, the Japanese tire maker, needed a
strong foothold in the U.S. market to become a leading firm in the
tire industry. To that end, Bridgestone entered into a bidding war
with Pirelli to acquire Firestone. More recently, the company is
setting up factories in Central Europe and China and a joint venture
in India with Tata, a major truck company, to achieve its goal of a
20 percent market share of the global tire market.
2. Need for Control. Most MNCs would like to possess a certain
amount of control over their foreign operations. Control may be
desirable for any element of the marketing-mix plan: positioning,
pricing, advertising, product design, branding, and so forth,
Caterpillar, for instance, prefers to stay in complete control of its
overseas operations to protect its proprietary know-how. For that
reason, Caterpillar avoids joint ventures. To a large degree, the
level of control is strongly correlated with the amount of resource
commitment: the smaller the commitment, the lower the control. So,
most firms face a trade-off between the degree of control over their
foreign operations and the level of resource commitment they are
willing to take.
3. Internal Resources, Assets, and Capabilities. Companies with tight
resources (human and/or financial) or limited assets are constrained to
low commitment entry modes such as exporting and licensing that are
not too demanding on their resources. Even large companies should
carefully consider how to allocate their resources between their different
markets, including the home market. In some cases, major resource
commitments to a given target market might be premature given the
amount of risk. On the other hand, if a firm is overly reluctant with
committing resources, the firm might miss the boat by sacrificing major
market opportunities. Internal competencies also influence the choice-
of-entry strategy. When the firm lacks certain skills that are critical for
the success of its global expansion strategy, the company can try to fill
the gap by forming a strategic alliance.
4. Flexibility. An entry mode that looks very appealing today is not
necessarily attractive five or ten years down the road. The local
environment changes constantly. New market segments emerge.
Local customers become more demanding or more price conscious.
Local competitors become more sophisticate. To cope with these
environmental changes, global players need a certain amount of
flexibility. The flexibility offered by the different entry-mode
alternatives varies a great deal. Given their very nature, contractual
arrangements like joint ventures or licensing tend to provide very
little flexibility. When major exit barriers exist, wholly owned
subsidiaries are hard to divest, and, therefore offer very little
flexibility compared to other entry alternatives.
A Transaction Cost Explanation For Mode-Of-Entry Choice
The different modes of entry can be classified according to the degree
of control they offer to the entrant from low-control (e.g., indirect
exporting) to high control modes (e.g., wholly owned subsidiary,
majority stake partnerships). To some extent, the appropriate entry-
mode decision boils down to the issue of how much control is
desirable, Ideally, the entrant would like to have as much control as
possible. However, entry modes that offer a large degree of control also
entail substantial resource commitments and huge amounts of risk.
Therefore, the entrant faces a trade-off between the benefits of
increased control and the costs of resource commitment and risk.
One useful framework to resolve this dilemma is the so -called
transaction-cost analysis (TCA) perspective. A given task can be
looked at as a make-or-buy decision: either the firm contracts the
task out to outside agents or partners (low-control modes) or the job
can be done internally (high control modes). TCA argues that the
desirable governance structure (high- versus low-control mode) will
depend on the comparative transaction costs that is, the cost of running
the operation.
The TCA approach begins with the premise that markets are
competitive. Therefore, market pressure minimizes the need for control.
Under this utopian scenario, low-control modes are preferable since the
competitive pressure force the outside partner to comply with his
contractual duties. When the market mechanism fails, high-control
entry modes become more desirable. From the TCA angle, market
failure typically happens when transaction-specific assets become
valuable. These are assets that are only valuable for a very narrow
range of applications. Examples include brand equity, proprietary
technology, and know-how. When these types of assets become very
important, the firm might be better off to adopt a high-control entry
mode in order to protect the value of these assets against opportunitistic
behaviors and uncertainty.
An empirical study of entry decisions made by the 180 largest MNCs
over a fifteen-year period found that MNCs are most likely to enter
with wholly owned subsidiaries when one of the following conditions
holds.
The entry involves an R & D-intensive line of business
The entry involves an advertising-intensive line of business (high
brand-equity)
The MNC has accumulated a substantial amount of experience with
foreign entries.
On the other hand, MNCs are most likely to prefer a partnership
when one of these holds:
The entry is in a highly risky country
The entry is in a socioculturally distant country
There are legal restrictions on foreign ownership of assets.
Merits and Demerits of Different Modes of Entry
1. Exporting: Most companies start their international expansion with
exporting. For many small businesses, exporting is very often the sole
alternative for selling their goods in foreign markets. A fair number of
Fortune 500 companies, such as Boeing and Caterpillar, also generate a
major part of their global revenues via export sales. In 1998 Caterpillar`s
exports from the United States were about $6 billion ? this translates into
$400,000 per Caterpillar job in the United States.
Companies that plan to engage in exporting have choice between three
broad options: indirect, co-operative, and direct exporting. Indirect
exporting means that the firm uses a middleman based in its home
market to do the exporting. With cooperative exporting, the firm enters
into an agreement with another company (local or foreign) where the
partner will use its distribution network to sell the exporter` s goods.
Direct exporting means that the company sets up its own export
organization within the company and relies on a middleman based in a
foreign market (e.g., a foreign distributor).
Indirect exporting happens when the firm sells its products in the foreign
market via an intermediary located in the firm`s home country. The
middleman could be an export management company (EMC), a trading
house, or simply a broker. Indirect exporting offers several advantages to
the exporting company compared to other entry modes. The firm gets
instant foreign market expertise. Very little risk is involved. Generally
speaking, no major resource commitments are required.
There are some downsides with indirect exporting. The company has
little or no control over the way its product is marketed in the foreign
country. Lack of adequate sales support, wrong pricing decisions, or
poor distribution channels will inevitably lead to poor sales.
Companies that are not willing to commit the resources to set up their
own distribution organization but still want to have some control over
their foreign operations should consider cooperative exporting. One of
the most popular forms of cooperative exporting is piggyback
exporting. With piggybacking, the company uses the overseas
distribution network of another company (local or foreign) for selling
its goods in the foreign market.
Under direct exporting, the firm sets up its own exporting department
and sells its products via a middleman located in the foreign market.
Once the international sales potential becomes substantial, direct
exporting often looks far more appealing than indirect exporting. To
some degree, the choice between indirect and direct exporting is a
make-or-buy decision.
2. Licensing : Companies can also penetrate foreign markets via a
licensing strategy. Licensing is a contractual transaction where the
firm-the licensor-offers some proprietary assets to a foreign company-
the licensee-in exchange for royalty fees. Examples of assets that can
be part of a licensing agreement include trademarks, technology know-
how, production processes, and patents. Royalty rates range between
one-eight of 1 percent and 15 percent of sales revenue. For instance,
Tokyo Disneyland is owned and operated by Oriental Land Company
under license from Disney. In return for being able to use the Disney
name, Oriental Land Company pays royalties to Disney. In some
industries, companies cross-licensing agreements are fairly common.
For many companies, licensing has proven to be a very profitable
means for penetrating foreign markets. In most cases, licensing is not
very demanding on the company`s resources. Therefore, it is especially
appealing to small companies that lack the resources and the
wherewithal to invest in foreign facilities. One licensing expert notes
that overseas licensing account for up to one third of the profits of
some small companies. Compared to exporting, another low -
commitment entry mode, licensing allows the licensor to navigate
around import barriers or get access to markets that are completely
closed to imports. For instance, several foreign tobacco companies in
China use licensing agreements to avoid the 240 percent import tax
levied on imported cigarettes. Local governments may also favor
licensing over other entry modes.
Companies that use licensing as part of their global expansion strategy
lower their exposure to political or economic instabilities in their
foreign markets. The only volatility that the licensor faces are the ups
and downs in the royalty income stream. Other risks are absorbed by
the licensee.
In high-tech industries, technology licensing has two further appeals. In
highly competitive environments, rapid penetration of global markets
allows the licensor of define the leading technology standard and to
rapidly amortize R & D expenditures. A case in point is Motorola`s
licensing of proprietary microprocessor technology to Toshiba.
3. Franchising : Scores of service industry companies use franchising as
a means for capturing opportunities in the global marketpla ce. For
instance, of the 8,000 Tricon restaurants around the world, about 4,400
are franchised. Franchising is to some degree a cousin of licensing: it
is an arrangement whereby the franchisor gives the franchisee the right
to use the franchisor`s trade names, trademarks, business models,
and/or know-how in given territory for a specific time period, normally
ten years. In exchange, the franchisor gets royalty payment and other
fees. The package might include the marketing plan, operating manuals,
standards, training and quality monitoring.
To snap up opportunities in foreign markets, the method of choice is
often master franchising. With this system, the franchisor gives a
master franchise to a local entrepreneur, who will, in turn, sell local
franchises within his territory. The territory could be a certain region
within a country or a group of countries (e.g., Greater China). Usually,
the master franchise holder agrees to establish a certain number of
outlets over a given time horizon.
The benefits of franchising are clear. First and foremost, companies can
capitalize on a winning business formula by expanding overseas with a
minimum of investment. Just as with licensing, political risks for the rights-
owner are very limited. Further, since the franchisees` profits are directly
tied to their efforts, franchisees are usually highly motivated. Finally, the
franchisor can also capitalize on the local franchisees` knowledge of the
local market place. They usually have a much better understanding of local
customs and laws than the foreign firm.
4. Contract Manufacturing : With contract manufacturing, the company
arranges with a local manufacturer to manufacture parts of the product
or even the entire product. Marketing the products is still the
responsibility of the international firm.
Numerous companies have become very successful by specializing in
contract manufacturing. NatSteel Electronics (NEL) is one of the
leading global electronics contract manufacturers. The company, based
in Singapore, has facilities in countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia,
Chinna, and Mexico. Its customers include Fortune 500 companies such
as Compaq, IBM, Apple, and Hewlett-Packard.
Cost savings are the prime motivation behind contract manufacturing.
Significant cost savings can be achieved for labor-intensive production
processes by sourcing the product in a low-wage country. Typically, the
countries of choice are places that have a substantial comparative labor
cost advantage. Labor cost savings are not the only factor. Savings ca n
also be achieved via taxation benefits, lower energy costs, raw
materials costs, or overhead.
Contract manufacturing is not without drawbacks though. The nurture -
a-future-competitor concern raised for licensing and franchising also
applies here. Because of this risk, many companies prefer to make
high-value items or products that involve proprietary design features
in-house. A fixation with low labor costs can often have painful
consequences. Low-labor-cost countries typically have very low labor
productivity. Some of these countries, such as India and South Korea,
also have a long tradition of bad labor relation. Too much reliance on
low-cost labor could also create a backlash in the company`s home -
market among its employees and customers. Monitoring of quality and
production levels is a must especially during the start -up phase when
teething problems are not uncommon.
5. Joint Ventures : For many MNCs who want to expand their global
operations, joint ventures prove to be the most viable way to enter
foreign markets, especially in emerging markets. With a joint venture,
the foreign company agrees to share equity and other resources with
other partners to establish a new entity in the target country. The
partners typically are local companies, but they c an also be local
government authorities, other foreign companies, or a mixture of local
and foreign players. Depending on the equity stake, three forms of
partnerships can be distinguished: majority (more than 50 percent
ownership), fifty-fifty, and minority (50 percent or less ownership)
ventures. Huge infrastructure or high-tech projects that demand a large
amount of expertise and money often involve multiple foreign and local
partners. Another distinction is between cooperative and equity joint
ventures. A cooperative joint venture is an agreement to collaborate
between the partners that does not involve any equity investments.
For instance, one partner might contribute manufacturing technology
whereas the other partner provides access to distribution channels.
Cooperative joint ventures are quite common for partnerships between
well-heeled MNCs and local players in emerging markets. A good
example of the collaborative approach is Cisco`s sales strategy in Asia,
Instead of investing in its own sales force, Cisco builds up partnerships
with hardware vendors (e.g., IBM), consulting agencies (e.g., KPMG),
or systems integators (e.g., Singapore based Datacraft). These partners
in essence act as front people for Cisco. They are the ones that sell and
install Cisco`s routers and swiches. An equity joint venture goes one
step further. It is an arrangement where the partners agree to raise
capital in proportion to the equity stakes agreed upon. A typical example is
the entry strategy of Cable & Wireless (C&W), a British
telecommunications firm, in Japan. To gain credibility with the Japanese
government, C&W set up a partnership with big Japanese corporations. The
three major stakeholders ? C& A Toyota, and C.Itoh-each hold roughly
17 percent. The other partners share the balance. The alliance has
gained a 16 percent market share of Japan`s international
telecommunication market.
A major advantage of joint ventures, compared to lesser forms of
resource commitment such as licensing, is the return potential. With
licensing, for instance, the company solely gets royalty payment instead
of a share of the profits. Joint ventures also entail much more control
over the operations that most of the previous entry modes we have
discussed so far. MNCs that like to maximize their degree of control
prefer full ownership. However, in many instances, local governments
(e.g., China) discourage or even forbid wholly owned ventures in
certain industries. Under such circumstances, partnerships are a second -
best or temporary solution.
Apart from the benefits listed above, the synergy argument is another
compelling reason for setting up a joint venture. Partnerships not only
mean a sharing of capital and risk. Possible contributions brought in by
the local partner include: land, raw materials, expertise on the local
environment (culture, legal, political), access to a distribution network,
personal contacts with suppliers, government officials, and so on.
Combined with the skills and resources owned by the foreign partner,
these inputs offer the key to successful market entry. A recent fifty-fifty
joint venture between Canada`s Sun Life Assurance and China
Everbright Group, a large financial conglomerate, is one example. Sun
Life, which got approval to sell life insurance in China in April 19 99,
chose China Everbright because it can provide the ventures access to a
large distribution network and local contacts.
6. Wholly Owned Subsidiaries : Multinational companies often prefer
to enter new markets with 100 percent ownership. Ownership strate gies
in foreign markets can essentially take two routes: acquisitions, where
the MNC buys up existing companies, or Greenfield operations that are
started from scratch. As with the other entry modes, full ownership
entry entails certain benefits to the MNC but also carries risks.
Wholly owned subsidiaries give MNCs full control of their operations. It
is often the ideal solution for companies that do not want to be saddled
with all the risks and anxieties associated with partnerships like joint
venturing. Full ownership means that all the profits go to the company.
Fully owned enterprises allow the investor to manage and control its own
processes and tasks in term of marketing, production, and sourcing
decisions. Setting up fully owned subsidiaries also sends a strong
commitment signal to the local market. In some market China, for
example wholly owned subsidiaries can be erected much faster than joint
ventures with local companies, which may consume years of negotiations
before their final take-off. The latter point is especially important when
there are substantial advantages to being an early entrant in the target
market.
Despite the advantages of 100 percent ownership, many MNCs are
quite reluctant to choose this particular mode of entry. The risks of fu ll
ownership cannot be easily discounted. Complete ownership means that
the parent company will have to carry the full burden of possible
losses. Developing a foreign presence without the support of a third
party is also very demanding on the firm`s resources. Obviously, apart
from the market-related risks, substantial political risks (e.g.
nationalization) must be factored in.
Companies that enter via a wholly owned enterprise are sometimes also
perceived as a threat to the cultural and/or economic sovereignty of the
host country. Shortly after Daewoo`s initially successful bid for the
multimedia arm of the French group Thomson-CSF in the fall of 1996,
the deal sparked controversy among French trade unions and the media.
In the end, the French government vetoed the sale of the Thomson
group following the negative opinion of the French privatization
commission.
7. Acquisitions and Mergers : Companies such as Sara Lee have built up
strong global competitive positions via cleverly planned and finely
executed acquisition strategies. MNCs choose acquisition entry to expand
globally for a number of reasons. First and foremost, when contrasted with
Greenfield operations, acquisitions provide a rapid means to get access to
the local market. For relative latecomers in an industry, acquisitions are
also a viable option to obtain well-established brand names, instant access
to distribution outlets, or technology. In recent years, some of the South
Korean chaebols have used acquisition entries in foreign markets to gain a
foothold in high-tech industries. Highly visible examples include
Samsung`s acquisition of the American computer maker AST and LG
Electronics` takeover of Zenith. LG would have needed to invest more than
$1 billion to build up a strong global TV brand from scratch.
Sara Lee, a U.S. conglomerate, has been extremely successful in
building up growth via well-chosen acquisitions. Instead of milking the
acquired local brands and replacing them with a global brand, Sara Lee
heavily invest in its local brand assets in the hope that one day they can
be converted into prestigious regional or even global brand names.
Success stories of local brands that became leading European brands
include Douwe Egberts in coffee, Pickwick in tea, and Dim in hosiery.
Sara Lee is also following the acquisition path in emergin markets, with
an equal amount of success.
Expansion via acquisitions or mergers carries substantial risks, though.
Differences in the corporate culture of the two companies between
managers are often extremely hard to bridge. A well-publicized
example of a company that has been plagued with corporate culture
disease is Pharmacia & Upjohn, a pharmaceutical company that was
formed in 1995 via the merger of Sweden-based pharmacia AB and the
American drug firm Upjohn. Swedish managers were stunned by the
hard driving, mission-oriented approach of Upjohn executives. Their
U.S. counterparts were shocked about European vacation habits.
8. Greenfield Operations: Greenfield operations offer the company
more flexibility than acquisitions in areas such as human resources,
suppliers, logistics, plant layout, or manufacturing technology.
Greenfield investments also avoid the costs of integrating the
acquisition into the parent company. Another motivation is the
package of goodies (e.g. tax holidays) that host government sometimes
offer to whet the appetite of foreign investors. The down side of
greenfield operations is that they require enormous investments of time
and capital.
1.15 SUMMARY
Global marketing is a proactive response to the intertwined nature of
business opportunities and competition that know no political
boundaries. Global marketing does not necessarily mean that
companies should market the same product in the same way around the
world as world markets are converging. Global marketing is a
company`s willingness to adopt a global perspective instead of a
country-by-country or region-by-region perspective in developing a
marketing strategy for growth and profit. The six forces making up the
company`s macro-global environment include demographic, economic,
natural, technological, political and cultural forces. These forces shape
opportunities and pose threats to the company. Global market
possesses great importance of less developed countries (LDCs) It
provides all urge to develop knowledge and experience that make
development possible in LDC`s. The remarkable growth of the global
economy over the post 50 years has occurred because of many driving
forces contributing to the growth of international business , namely,
market needs, modern technology, minimum cost application, higher
quality, information revolution and leverage advantages. Several
restraining forces also occurred in international trade in the form of
tariff barriers and non-tariff barriers.
There are four identifiable stages in the evolution of marketing across
national boundaries. These are known as Ethnocentrism, poly centrism,
regiocentrism and geocentrism. Companies have the plan of entry
strategy choices to implement their global expansio n efforts. Each
alternative has its pros and cons. Global companies often adopt a
phased entry strategy. They start off with a minimal risk strategy.
Once the perceived risk declines, they switch to higher commitment
mode. It is made clear that, a broad range of variables impact the entry
mode choice. The three major dimensions include the resource
commitment a firm is willing to make, the amount of risk the firm is
willing to take and the degree of control that is desirable.
1.16 SELF-ASSESSMENT QUESTIONS
1. How is global marketing different from international marketing?
2. Discuss how companies can react to the marketing environment.
3. Why do some MNCs prefer to enter certain markets with a
liaison office first?
4. Discuss the reasons why international business is much more
complex today than it was twenty years ago.
5. What are the three basic principles of marketing? Select a
company that you know and assess how well the company is
applying these principles?
Reference Books
1. International Economics ? ML Jhingan
2. Marketing ? An Introduction ? Philips Kotler
3. Global Marketing Management Warren J. Keegan
4. Global Marketing Management Masaaki Kotabe, Kristiaan Helsen
UNIT ? II
INTERNATIONAL MARKETING ENVIRONMENT
This unit is divided into 4 lessons. First lesson contains an introduction about the
International Marketing Environment along with an analysis of Internal
Environment and External Environment. The second lesson explains the
Geographical and Demographic Environment of International Marketing.
Lesson 3 contains the Economic and Socio-cultural Environment. The last
lesson analyses the Political and Legal Environment along with the Impact of
Environment on International Marketing Decisions.
Lesson ? I International Marketing Environment: Internal Environment ?
External Environment
Learning Objectives: By the end of this lesson you should be able to: 1.
understand and describe the meaning of international marketing, the task of an
international marketer, the types of environment ? Internal and External 2.
explain microenvironment and macro environment (controllable environment
and uncontrollable environment). 3. describe the environmental forces that
affect the company`s ability to serve its customers
1.1. International Marketing Environment
Marketing does not operate in a vacuum but it occurs in a complex and changing
environment. Other actors in this environment ? suppliers, intermediaries,
customers, competitors, publics and others ? may work with or against the
company. Major environmental forces ? demographic, economic, political and
cultural ? shape marketing opportunities, pose threats, and affect the company`s
ability to serve its customers and develop lasting relationships with them. To
understand marketing and to develop effective marketing strategies, we must
first understand the context in which marketing operates. Many companies view
the marketing environment as an uncontrollable element to which they must
adapt. Other companies take an environmental management perspective in
which the firm takes aggressive actions to affect the publics and forces in its
marketing environment.
International Marketing is the performance of business activities - flow of a
company`s goods and services to consumers in more than one nation for profit.
The only difference between domestic marketing and international marketing is
that the marketing activities take place in more than one country. There is no
difference in concepts of marketing but there is difference in the environment
within which marketing plans are to be implemented. In the case of foreign
marketing there are unfamiliar problems and hence different strategies are
necessary to cope with the different levels of uncertainty. Hence, although,
marketing principles and concepts are universally applicable, the environment
within which the marketer must implement marketing plan can change
dramatically from country to country. The difficulties created by different
environments are the international marketers primary concern.
1.2. Marketing Environment
As we know, marketing functions are to be carried out in a given environment.
A company`s marketing environment consists of the factors and forces outside
marketing that affect marketing management`s ability to develop and maintain
successful transactions with its target customers. Thus, environment consists of
those factors and forces, which affect the company`s working and decision-
making ability. Even the marketing opportunity has to be scanned and identified
carefully by observing the environment. The marketing mix i.e. product, price,
physical distribution and promotion is also decided in the context of a given
marketing environment. Though marketing managers are not capable of
controlling the environmental factors, they must take them into account while
taking marketing decisions. While formulating the market strategies, the
marketer must keep on strict vigil on the environment in which the enterprise is
functioning.
The international environment is very important from the point of view of
certain categories of business. It is particularly important for industries directly
depending on imports or exports and import competing industries. For example,
a recession in foreign markets, or the adoption of protectionist policies by
foreign nations, may create difficulties for industries depending on exports. On
the other hand, a boom in the export market or a relaxation of the protectionist
policies may help the export oriented industries. A liberalisation may help some
industries, which use imported items, but may adversely affect import
competing industries. It has been observed that major international
developments have their spread effects on domestic business. The Great
Depression in the United States sent its shock waves to a number of other
countries. Oil price hikes have seriously affected a number of economies. These
hikes have increased the cost of production and the prices of certain products,
such as fertilizers, synthetic fibres, etc. The high oil price has led to an increase
in the demand for automobile models that economise energy consumption. The
oil crisis also promoted some companies to resort to de-marketing --the process
of cutting consumer demand for a product back to level that the firm can supply.
Hence, developments like oil crisis affect the demand, consumption and
investment pattern.
A good export market enables a firm to develop a more profitable product mix
and to consolidate its position in the domestic market. Many companies now
plan production and investment taking into account also the foreign markets.
Export marketing facilitates the attainment of optimum capacity utilisation; a
company may be able to mitigate the effects of domestic recession by exporting.
However, a company, which depends on the export market to a considerable
extent, has also to face the impact of adverse developments in foreign markets.
The world is shrinking rapidly with the advent of faster communication,
transportation and financial flows. Products developed in one country are
finding acceptance in other countries. We would not be surprised to hear about
a German businessman wearing an Italian Suit meeting an English friend at a
Japanese restaurant who later returns home to drink Russian Vodka.
International trade is booming and global competition is intensifying. Few
industries are now free from foreign competition. Hence, for companies to
compete is to continuously improve their products at home and expand into
foreign markets.
All marketing activities occur within in the framework of legal, economic,
cultural, political and other environments to which strategies and policies are to
be related. Each country has its own legal system, culture, socio economic
infrastructure and so on. The problem in international marketing is that the
environments confronted are vastly more complex and extensive than for
domestic operations.
1.3. The International Marketing Task
The international marketer`s task is more complicated than that of the domestic
markets. The international marketer must deal with at least 2 levels of
uncontrollable uncertainty compared to one by a domestic marketer. Uncertainty
is created by the uncontrollable elements of all business environments, but
foreign country in which a company operates adds its own unique set of
uncontrollable. Figure 2.1 illustrates the total environment of an international
marketer. The inner circle depicts the controllable elements that constitute a
marketer`s decision area. The second circle encompasses those environmental
elements at home that have some effect on foreign operation decisions. The
outer circles represent the elements of the foreign environment for each foreign
market within which the marketer operates. As the outer circles show, each
foreign market in which the company does business can present separate
problems involving some or all of the uncontrollable elements. Thus, the more
foreign markets in which a company operates, the greater the possible variety of
foreign environmental uncontrollables with which to contend. Often a solution
to a problem in country market A is not applicable to a problem in country
market B.
Figure 2.1
The International Marketing Task
Marketing Controllables
The successful manager constructs a marketing program designed for optional
adjustment to the uncertainty of the business climate.
The inner circle in figure 2.1 represents the area under control of the marketing
manager. Assuming the necessary overall corporate resources, the marketing
manager blend price, product, promotion, and channels of distribution activities
to capitalization anticipated demand. The controllable elements can be altered to
adjust to changing market conditions or corporate objectives.
Domestic Uncontrollables
The second circle (figure 2-1) includes home country elements that can have a
direct effect on the success of a foreign venture, political forces, legal structure
and economic climate. A political decision involving domestic foreign policy
can have a direct effect on a firm`s international marketing success. For
example, the U.S government imposed restrictions on sales of computers and
computer software to South Africa to protest apartheid and hence was restricted
by domestic uncontrollables. Conversely, positive effects occur when there are
changes in foreign policies and countries are given favoured treatment.
The domestic economic climate is another important home-based uncontrollable
variable with far reaching effects on company`s competitive position in foreign
markets. The capacity to invest in plants and facilities either in domestic or
foreign markets is to a large extent a function of domestic economic vitality.
Currency value is another influence the home environment economy has on the
marketer`s task. e.g. the relative strength of the dollar in world markets.
Foreign Uncontrollables
In addition to uncontrollable domestic elements, a significant source of
uncertainty is the number of uncontrollable foreign business environments.
(Figure 2-1 outer circles). The process of evaluating the uncontrollable elements
in an international marketing program involves substantial doses of cultural,
political, and economic shock. A business operating in a number of foreign
countries might find polar extremes in political stability, class structure, and
economic climate ? critical elements in business decisions. For example, The
Soviet Union-a single market that divided into 15 independent republics, 11 of
which re-formed as the common wealth of independent states (CIS), self-
investors uncertain about the future. This is an example for the uncertainties of
the uncontrollable political factors of international business.
Thus, international marketers face many challenges in understanding how the
economic environment will affect the decisions and which global markets to
enter and how.
The more significant elements in the uncontrollable international environment
(shown in the outer circles of fig 2-1) include: 1. Political/legal forces, 2.
Economic forces, 3. Competitive forces, 4. Level of technology, 5. Structure of
distribution, 6. Geography and infrastructure, 7. Cultural forces. Thus, these
forces constitute the principal elements of uncertainty an international marketer
must cope with in designing a marketing program. The uncertainty of different
foreign business environments creates the need for a close study of the operating
environment within each new country. Different solutions to fundamentally
identical marketing tasks are often in order and are generally the result of
changes in the environment of the market. Thus, a strategy successful in one
country can be rendered ineffective in another by differences in political climate,
stages of economic development, level of technology, or other cultural variation.
1.3.1. Environmental Adjustment to Foreign Uncontrollables
To adjust and adapt a marketing program to foreign markets, marketers must be
able to interpret effectively the influence and impact of each of the
uncontrollable environmental elements on the marketing plan for each foreign
market in which they hope to do business. In a broad sense, the uncontrollable
elements constitute the culture; the difficulty facing the marketer in adjusting to
the culture (i.e., uncontrollable elements of the market place) lies in recognizing
their impact. The task of cultural adjustment is the most challenging and
important one confronting international marketers. They must adjust their
marketing efforts to cultures to which they are not attuned. In dealing with
unfamiliar markets, marketers must be aware of the frames of reference they are
using in making their decisions of a market. The key to successful international
marketing is adaptation to the environmental differences from one market to
another. Adaptation is a conscious effort on the part of the international
marketer to anticipate the influences of both the foreign and domestic
uncontrollable environments on a marketing mix, and then to adjust the
marketing mix to minimize the effects.
1.4. Adapting to the Environmental Change
Marketing environment is dynamic, technology, taste and preferences of the
people, competitive situations changes, demographic factors, including
population size changes, attitude and value system changes, economic factors
like income, government policies and regulations also change to cope with the
changing environment. Hence marketing policy should be adaptable to the
changing environment. Although an exact prediction of the future event is
difficult, reliable forecasts are possible in many areas. For example, if relevant
data are available, it is possible to forecasts the demand for a product. Similarly,
forecasts can be made of such other factors as demographic factors, income
levels, technological etc. Such forecasts of the changing marketing environment
facilitate the formulation of appropriate marketing strategies. The marketing
environment is fast changing all over the world.
Successful companies take an outside-inside view of their business. They
recognise that the marketing environment is constantly presenting new
opportunities and threats, and they understand the importance of continuously
monitoring and adapting to that environment. Many companies fail to see
change as opportunity. They ignore or resist changes until it is too late. Their
strategies, structures, systems, and organisational culture grow increasingly
obsolete and disfunctional. Corporations as mighty as General Motors, IBM, and
Sears have passed through difficult times because they ignored. The major
responsibility for identifying significant changes falls to the company`s
marketers. Marketers have marketing intelligence and marketing research for
collecting information about the marketing environment. They also spend more
time with customers and in watching competitors.
Procedures are needed for the identification of fresh market opportunities
resulting from environmental change. For this the firm should predict the
external changes that might occur and then it should analyse how they would
affect the organization and how it should respond. The firm should list the
major functions of businesses followed by an outline of all environmental
factors likely to affect these functions. The most important external variables
that might affect a firms operation are:
1.4.1. Internal Environment
An organisations internal marketing system is largely controllable by the
management. An outline of the important internal factors (organisational) is
given below.
Value System
The value system of the founders and those at the helps of affairs has important
bearing on the choice of business, the mission and objectives of the organisation,
business policies and practices.
Mission and objectives
The business domain of the company, priorities, direction of development,
business philosophy, business policy etc. are guided by the mission and
objectives of the company.
Management structure and Nature
The organisational structure, the composition of the Board of Directors, extent
of professionalisation of management etc are important factors influencing
business decisions.
Internal Power Relationship
Factors like the amount of support the top management enjoys from lower levels
and workers, shareholders and Board of Directors have important influence on
the decisions and their implementation. The relationship between the members
of the Board of Directors is also a critical factor.
Human Resources
The characteristics of the human resources like skill, quality, morale,
commitment attitudes etc. could contribute the strength or weakness of an
organisation. Some organisational find it difficult to carry out restricting or
modernisation because of resistance by employees whereas they are smoothly
done in some others.
Company Image
The image of the company matters while raising finance, forming joint ventures
or other alliances, soliciting marketing intermediaries, entering purchase or sale
contracts, launching new products. etc.
Other factors
In addition to the factors mentioned above, there are other internal factors,
which contribute to business success/failure or influence the decision-making.
They are: the production capacity, technology and efficiency, the productive
apparatus etc. These factors influence the competitiveness of a firm. Research
and Development, the organisation for marketing, quality of the marketing men,
distribution network etc. has direct bearing on the marketing efficiency. The
financial policies, financial position and capital structure are also important
internal environment affecting business performance, strategies and decisions.
1.4.2. External Environment
The external environment of a company may be broadly divided into two
categories: Microenvironment and Macro environment.
1.4.2.a. External Micro Environment
The microenvironment consists of the forces close to the company that affects
its ability to serve its customers. These forces are external but are a part of a
company`s marketing system. These forces include suppliers, intermediaries,
competitors, customers and publics. While they are generally uncontrollable,
these external forces can be influenced. We will explain these factors in a little
detail.
Suppliers
For production of goods or service, a company requires a variety of inputs. The
individuals or firms who supply these inputs are known as suppliers. They
provide resources needed by the company. For this purpose, the company should
go for developing specifications, searching the potential suppliers, identifying
and analysing the suppliers and thereafter choosing the suppliers who can supply
the best mix of quality, quantity, reliability, credit facility, warranties and low
price. The suppliers are critical to company`s marketing success. Supply
shortages or delays can adversely affect sales and damage company goodwill in
the long-inn. Marketing manages should also monitor the price trends of their
inputs and negotiate terms and conditions with the suppliers. The most suitable
suppliers have to be clearly identified and listed.
Customers
The customers of a company may be of five kinds. They are i. Ultimate
consumers: - They may be individuals and householders. ii. Industrial
consumers: - Industrial consumers are organisations, which buy goods and
services for producing other goods and services for the purpose of either earning
profits or fulfilling other objectives. iii). Resellers: - These are intermediaries
who purchase goods with a view to resell them at a profit. These may be
wholesalers, retailers, distributors etc. iv. Government customers: - They include
government office or agencies that buy goods and services in order to produce
public service or transfer the goods and service to others who need them. v).
International customers: - These are individuals and organisations of other
countries that buy goods and services either for consumption or for industrial
use. Such buyers may be consumers, producers, resellers and governments. It
may be noted that each market type has special characteristics, which should be
carefully studied by the marketer, and he should be fully acquainted with the art
of persuading and selling to these customers. It should be remembered that the
satisfaction of customers and consumer is the main motto of every business
firm.
Competitors
A firm`s competitors include not only the other firms, which market the same or
similar products, but also all those who compete for the income of the
consumers. E.g. The competition for a company`s televisions may come not
only from other TV manufacturers but also from two wheelers, refrigerators, CD
from firms offering savings and investment schemes like banks, company`s
accepting deposits etc. As a consequence, marketers must continually monitor
competitors marketing activities their products, channel prices and promotional
efforts. They must also gain strategic advantage by positioning their products
and services strongly against those of their competitors, in the minds of the
consumers. The competitive environment consists of certain basic things which
every marketing manager must take note of. According to Philip Kotler, the
best way for a company to grasp the full range of its competition is to take the
viewpoint of a buyer what does a buyer think about that which eventually leads
to purchasing something. Kotler has also explained 4 basic type of competition
(Desire, Generic, Form and Brand Competition). He also pointed out four basic
dimensions, which a company must have in mind. These may be called the four
C`s of marketing positioning. The company must consider the nature of
customers, channels, competitors and its own characteristics.
Marketing Intermediaries
Marketing intermediaries are independent business organisations or firms that
directly help the company to promote, sell and distribute its goods and services
to the final buyers. There are 2 types of intermediaries a) Middlemen and b)
Facilitating organisations (Physical distribution firms)
Middlemen (wholesalers and retailers and agents)
These are distribution channels that help the company in finding customers or in
making sales to them. They are often called resellers`.
Various Facilitating Organisations
Various Facilitating Organisations that provide necessary marketing facilities
such as physical distribution, marketing service, and financial help. The physical
distribution firms help to company to stock goods and move them from their
point of origin to their destinations. These firms include warehouses and
transportations firms. Marketing services agencies or firms include marketing
research firms, advertising agencies media firms and marketing constancy firms
which help the company in targeting and promoting its products to the right
market. The financial intermediaries include banks, credit companies, insurance
companies and other firms who aid the company in financial transactions or
insuring against the trade risks. Marketing intermediaries are vital links between
the company and the final consumers. A dislocation or disturbance of this link,
or a wrong choice of the links, may cost the company very heavily.
Publics
A Public` means any group that has an actual or potential (future) interest in or
impact on the company`s ability to achieve its objectives. Kotler and Armstrong
describe seven types of public as follows:
Financial Publics
They influence the company`s ability to obtain funds. E.g. banks, investment
houses and shareholders.
Media Publics
They are consisted of those mechanism or devices that carry news, features of
editorial opinion. e.g.; Newspapers, magazines, Radio and TV s.
Government Publics
Management must take Government developments into account. Marketers must
often consult two company`s lawyers on issues of product safety, truth in
advertising and other matters.
Citizen - Action Public
Consumer organisations, environmental groups, minority groups and others may
question a company`s marketing decisions. Its public relations department can
help it stay in touch with consumer and citizen groups.
Local Publics
Every company`s has local publics such as neighbourhood residents and
community organisations.
General Publics
A company needs be concerned about the general publics attitude towards its
product and activities. The public image of the company affects it`s buying.
Internal Publics
A company`s internal publics include its workers, managers, volunteers and the
board of directors. Large company`s use newsletters and other means to inform
and motivate their internal publics. When employees feel good about their
company, this positive attitude spills over to external publics.
1.4.2.a. External Macro Environment
The macro forces are more uncontrollable than the micro forces. Macro
environment refer to those factors, which are not concerned to the immediate
environment. These factors are external to the company and are quite
uncontrollable. These factors do not affect the marketing ability of the concern
directly but it indirectly influences marketing decisions of the company. A
company may be able to influence these forces to some extent. The macro
environment consists of the larger societal forces that affect the
microenvironment- demographic, economic, natural, technological, political and
cultural forces.
Demographic Forces
Demography is the study of human populations in terms of size, density,
location, age, gender, race, occupation, and other statistics. The demographic
environment is of major interest to marketers because it involves people, and
people make up markets. A rapidly growing population indicates a rising
demand for products. When population characteristics change, the nature of
demand also changes. For example, when both husband and wife go for jobs, the
demand for fast foods, electronic home appliances and the need for cr?ches
increase. Rapid growth of population also results in increased labour supply.
The changing life styles, habits and tastes of the population have potential for
marketers.
Economic Forces
The purchasing power of people in a country is a crucial factor in determining
the demand for products. Marketers must pay close attention to major trends in
income and consumer spending patterns. In short, the economic conditions of a
country ? the nature of the economy, the stage of development of the economy,
economic resources, the level and distribution of income, etc. are all very
important factors in marketing. Further economic factors like inflation,
productivity, shortages, unemployment etc have a tremendous impact on prices
and incomes. Hence, marketers must incorporate these factors while preparing
marketing programmes.
Natural Forces
The deterioration of the natural environment is a major global problem. In many
cities, air and water pollution have reached dangerous levels. The natural
environment involves the natural resources that are needed as inputs by
marketers or that are affected by marketing activities. Marketers should be
aware of several trends in the natural environment. There are growing shortages
of raw materials. Moreover, although air and water may seem to be infinite
resources, air pollution and water shortages have become already a big problem
in many countries of the world. Owing to these factors, governments in many
courtiers have started controlling the use of natural resources. Concern for the
natural environment has resulted in the so-called green movement. Marketers
shall have to take all these factors into consideration while formulating their
marketing policies.
Technological Forces
One of the most dramatic forces shaping people`s lives is technology.
Technological developments are uncontrollable environmental factors that are
important to the marketers. Technology has tremendous impact on our life
styles. Technological progress creates new opportunities to some companies
whereas it is a threat to some other companies. As an opportunity, technology is
a source of new and improved product. As a threat, technological development
may result in loss of markets. The technological changes result in changes in
consumption pattern and marketing systems. A new technology may improve
our lives in one area while creating environmental and social problem in another
area. The marketers should monitor the following trends in technology: the pace
of change, the opportunities for innovation, varying research and development
budgets, and increased regulation. He should watch the trends in technology and
adopt the latest technology so as to stay alive in the field.
Political Forces
Marketing decisions are strongly affected by developments in the political
environment. The political environment consists of laws, government agencies,
and pressure groups that influence various organisations and individuals in the
group. Well-conceived regulation can encourage competition and ensure fair
markets for goods and services. Thus, governments develop public policy to
guide commerce-sets of laws and regulations that limit business for the good of
the society as a whole. Business legislations are made to protect the comps from
each other, to protect consumers from unfair business practices, to protect the
interests of society against unrestrained business practices. Almost every
marketing activity is subject to a wide range of laws and regulations. Certain
changes in government policies such as fiscal policy, tariff policy, industrial
policy etc. may have its impact on marketing. Some policy developments create
opportunities as well as threats. The political system spans all of the other
systems. Governments undertake many specific functions that involve the other
systems, which, as they have expanded, have passed beyond the individuals
control in many respects.
Cultural Forces
The cultural environment is made up of institutions and other forces that affect a
society`s basic values, perceptions, preferences, and behaviours. People grew up
in a particular society that shapes their basic beliefs and values. People absorb a
worldview that defines their relationships to themselves, to others, to
organisations, to society, to nature, and to the universe. People differ in the
relative emphasis they place on self-satisfaction. Marketers must recognize that
there are many different groups with different views of themselves. People also
vary in their attitudes towards corporations, government agencies, trade unions,
and other organisations. People also vary in their attitude toward society. They
also vary in their attitude toward nature. People also vary in their beliefs about
the origin of the universe. Marketers should also take into account the cultural
characteristics of the people.
Summary
International Marketing is the marketing of goods and services in more than one
country. The marketing activities are carried out in a complex and changing
environment. Marketing environment consists of the factors and forces outside
marketing that affect marketing management`s ability to develop and maintain
successful transactions with its target customers. Marketing environment can be
broadly divided in to two. They are internal environment and external
environment. The internal factors, which influence the strategy and decisions of
a company, are the value system, the mission and objectives, the organisation
structure, the internal power relationship, and the characteristics of human
resources etc. External environment consists of microenvironment and
macroenvironment. Microenvironment consists of the forces close to the
company that affects its ability to serve its customers like suppliers,
intermediaries, competitors, customers and publics. The macro environment
consists of the larger societal forces that affect the microenvironment-
demographic, economic, natural, technological, political and cultural forces.
Marketing environment can also be classified into controllable and
uncontrollable forces. Controllable forces consist of marketing policies and
strategies framed by the company. Uncontrollable forces are those forces, which
are beyond the control of the company. Uncontrollables may be again classified
into domestic uncontrollables and foreign uncontrollables. Domestic
uncontrollables include home country elements that can have a direct effect on
the success of a firm like political forces, legal structure and economic climate.
Foreign uncontrollables are a significant source of uncertainty in foreign
business environments. The most important among them are geographical,
economic, socio-cultural, political and legal environment. A business operating
in a number of foreign countries might find polar extremes in political stability,
class structure, and economic climate, which are crucial in business decisions.
While they are generally uncontrollable, these external forces can be influenced.
Successful companies realize that the marketing environment presents a never-
ending series of opportunities and threats. The major responsibility for
identifying significant changes in the macro environment falls to a company`s
marketers. Marketing managers must be the trend trackers and opportunity
seekers. Many opportunities are found by identifying trends (major social,
economic, political). Within the rapidly growing global picture, marketers must
monitor major environmental forces: demographic, economic, political-legal and
social cultural. Companies can passively accept the marketing environment as
an uncontrollable element to which they must adapt, avoiding threats and taking
advantage of opportunities as they arise. Or they can take an environmental
management perspective, proactively working to change the environment rather
than simply reacting to it. Whenever possible, companies should try to be
proactive rather than reactive.
Self -Assessment Questions (Sass)
1. Describe the environmental forces that affect the company`s ability to serve
its customers.
Marketing operations are carried out in a complex and changing environment.
The company`s environment consists of micro and macroenvironments. The
microenvironment consists of actors close to the company. The actors in this
environment are suppliers, intermediaries, customers, competitors, publics and
others. These actors may work with or against the company. The
macroenvironment consist of larger societal forces affecting the environment.
They are demographic, technological, economic, political and cultural forces.
These forces may shape marketing opportunities and may pose threats, and
affect the company`s ability to save customers. To understand marketing, and to
develop effective marketing strategies, a marketer must understand the context
in which marketing operates. Many companies view the marketing environment
as an uncontrollable element to which they must adapt. Other companies take an
environmental management perspective in which the firm takes aggressive
actions to affect the publics and its marketing environment.
2. Explain the factors and forces of Internal environment that affect the
company`s ability to serve its customers?
The internal marketing environment is largely controllable by the management.
The internal environmental factors that affect the company are value system of
the founders, the mission and objectives of the company, the organisational
structure, the composition of the board of directors, and the extent of
professionalisation of management, the amount of support the top management
enjoys from lower levels and workers, shareholders and Board of Directors, the
characteristics of the human resources like skill, quality, morale, commitment
etc. could contribute the strength or weakness of an organisation. Thus,
company image, location, production, finance, human resource, research and
development, ability and skill of marketing managers are the most important
internal forces that affect the company`s ability to serve its customers.
3. Explain the meaning of External environment and how it affects the
company`s ability to serve its customers.
The external environment of a company may be microenvironment or macro
environment. The forces close to the company are microenvironment and these
include suppliers, intermediaries, competitors, customers and publics.
Although, they are uncontrollable, the company can influence these forces. The
success of marketing depends up on the supply or resources and shortages or
delays in it can unfavorably affect sales and damage company. There are various
kinds of customers and the marketers should cautiously take this factor while
selling products to these customers. Marketers should also keep an eye on
competitors marketing behavior. The wholesalers and retailers in the distribution
channels and public are all important micro environmental factors that should be
taken care of by the marketer. The major external macro environmental forces
affecting the company are demographic, economic, natural, technological,
political and cultural forces.
Key words
Cultural environment
Demography
Domestic Uncontrollables
Economic environment
Environmental Adjustment
Foreign Uncontrollables
International Marketing Task
Macroenvironment
Marketing Controllables
Marketing environment
Marketing intermediaries
Microenvironment Natural environment
Political environment
Public
Technological environment
Lesson II
Lesson II explains the Geographical and Demographic Environment of
International marketing.
Learning Objectives: After studying this chapter you should be able to:
1.understand the importance of geography in international marketing. 2. the
effects of topography and climate on products, population, transportation, and
economic growth 3. the need for conservation of the world`s natural resources.
4. explain the importance of demographic changes in international marketing.
1. Geographical and Demographic Environment of International Marketing
Geographical environment of foreign marketing should be understood and must
be included in foreign marketing plans to a degree commensurate with their
influence on marketing effort. Understanding of a country`s geography is
essential if a marketer is to interpret a society`s behaviour and fundamental
attitudes. Knowledge about the geographical characteristics by an international
marketer is also essential for the understanding a country`s culture and to adapt
to it`s culture. An international marketer should be familiar with the world ? its
climate, and topographic differences. If not, the important marketing
characteristics of geography could be completely overlooked when marketing in
another country. Without a historical understanding of a culture, the attitudes
within the market place may not be understood. Similarly, every marketer is
interested in the demographic environment of a country as people make the
markets. For marketing decisions, various population characteristics like size of
the world`s population, its geographical distributions, density, mobility
trends, age distribution, birth, death and marriage rates and racial, ethnic and
religious structure, etc are all important to marketers. These factors have a larger
impact on marketing decisions of a company. Demographic data helps marketers
in preparing their sectoral plans according to the life styles, habits and tastes of
the population. This lesson concentrates on the important geographic
characteristics that affect markets and the need to consider these while
examining the environmental aspects of marketing in another country. The
reader is taken to the broad scope of world markets and the effects of geographic
diversity on the economic profiles of various nations. It also provides an
awareness of the world`s complexities and diversities that can mean the
difference between success and failure in marketing ventures. The important
demographic characteristics that are important to an international marketer are
briefly discussed in this lesson.
2.1. Geographical Perspectives on International Marketing
The Globalization of business has made geography indispensable for the study
of international marketing. Without significant attention to the study of
geography, critical ideas and information about the world in which business
occurs will be missing. Geography answers questions related to the location of
different kinds of economic activity and the transactions that flow across
national boundaries. It provides insights into the natural and human factors that
influence patterns of production and consumption in different parts of the world.
It explains why patterns of trade and exchange evolve over time. In recent
decades, however, geography has become more familiar and more relevant to
many people because emphasis has been placed on location, place, interaction,
movement and region.
Geography studies the earth`s surface, climate, continents, countries, peoples,
industries, and resources. It is an uncontrollable environment that confronts
every marketer although very little attention is paid to this factor. There is a
tendency to study climate, topography, and available resources as isolated
entities rather than as important causal agents in the marketing environment. The
physical character of a nation is the principal determinant of the characteristics
of a society and the means by which that society undertakes to supply its needs.
Thus the study of geography is important for the student of marketing when
evaluating marketing and its environment. Climate and topography are the two
important facets of geography. Also the earth`s resources and population are
important factors in world markets along with the world trade routes presented
in geography.
2.1.1. Social Responsibility of Environmental Management
The 1990s have been called the decade of the environment. The nations,
companies, and people are attaching utmost priority to environmental protection
and accepted that it is essential for doing business. The Governments, the Green
activists, media and businesses are focusing on ways to stem the tide of
pollution and to clean up their environment. Many view the problem as a global
issue rather than a national issue and one that poses common threats to mankind.
These are issue that cannot be addressed by nations in isolation. Companies
looking to build manufacturing plants in countries with more liberal pollution
regulations are finding that regulations are becoming strictor. Governments all
over the world are drafting new regulations and are strictly enforcing the
existing ones. Toxic substances pollute Rivers, lakes, and reservoirs and the
disposal of hazardous waste is a critical issue affecting the world environment.
The export of hazardous waste by developed countries to less developed
countries has ethical implications and environmental consequences.
Governments, organisations, and businesses are increasingly concerned with the
social responsibility and ethical issues surrounding the problem of generating
and disposing of wastes.
Climate, Topography, Location and Place
Climate and topography are important environmental considerations when
appraising the market. The effect of these geographical features on marketing
ranges from the obvious influences on product adaptation to more profound
influences on the development of marketing system. Altitude, humidity and
temperature extremes are climatic features that affect the uses and functions of
products and equipment. Products that perform well in temperature zones may
require special cooling to function in tropical zones. Within even a single
national market, climate can be sufficiently diverse to require major
adjustments. South America is an excellent example of the importance of
geography in marketing considerations. The social and economic systems can be
explained in terms of the geographical characteristics of the area. It consists of
natural barriers inhibiting national growth, trade, and communication. It is a vast
land area with population concentrations on the outer periphery and an isolated
and uninhabited interior. National unity and balanced development are hardly
possible when inadequate roads and poor communications separate major cities
from each other. Many citizens of South America are so isolated that they do not
recognise themselves as part of the nation that claims their citizenship.
Geography has always separated South America into secluded communities.
There are many other regions of the world that have extreme topographic and
climatic variations as well. China, the former Soviet Union, India and Canada
each have formidable physical or climatic conditions within their trading
regions. This statement also highlights the importance of locations for
international marketing. Learning the location and characteristics other places
has always been important to those interested in conducting business outside
their local areas. The drive to learn about other kinds of places, and especially
their resources and potential as markets has stimulated geographic exploration
throughout history. An understanding of the location influences business and
therefore is critical for the international marketing executive. Without clear
knowledge of an enterprise`s location relative to its suppliers, to its market, and
to its competitors, an executive operates like the captain of fog-bound vessel that
has lost all navigational instruments and is heading for danger. Climate is
another natural feature that has profound impact on economic activity within a
place. Many activities are directly affected by climate. Agricultural production
is also influenced by climate. The average daily and evening temperatures, the
amount and timing of precipitation, the timing of frosts and freezing weather,
and the variability of weather from one year to the next all influence the kinds of
crops grown in an area. Variations in soils have a profound impact on
agricultural production. In addition to its location, each place has a diverse set of
characteristics. The characteristics of places-both natural and human-
profoundly influence the ways that business executives in different places
participate in international economic transactions.
Geographic hurdles must be recognised as having a direct effect on marketing
and the related activities of communications and distribution. The effect of
natural barriers on market development is also important. Because of the ease of
distribution, coastal cities or cities situated on navigable waterways are more
likely to be trading centres than are land locked cities. Road condition is also an
important factor affecting marketing.
Natural Features and Resources
The location, quality, and availability of resources are all vital factors in
international marketing, as these will affect the pattern of world development
and trade. International marketers in making worldwide international investment
decisions must weigh this factor. In addition to the raw materials of
industrialization, there must be sufficient supply of economically feasible energy
to transform resources into usable products. Because of the disparity in the
location of the earth`s resources, there is world trade between those who do not
have all they need and those who have more than they need and are willing to
sell.
Many of the characteristics of a place relate to its natural attributes. Geologic
characteristics can be especially important, as the presence of critical minerals or
energy resources may make a place a world-renowned supplier of valuable
products. Gold and diamonds make South Africa`s economy the most
prosperous on that continent. Because of abundant pools of petroleum beneath
desert sands, standards of living in Saudi Arabia and nearby nations have risen
rapidly to be among the highest in the world. The geology of places also shapes
its terrain. Terrain also plays a critical role in focusing and inhibiting the
movement of people and goods. The terrain of a place is related to its
hydrology. Rivers, lakes, and other bodies of water influence the kinds of
economic activities that occur in a place. In general, abundant supplies of water
boost economic development, because water is necessary for the sustenance of
people and for both agricultural an industrial production.
Human Features/ World Population Trends
The physical features of a place provide natural resources and influence the
types of economic activities in which people engage, but its human
characteristics also are critical. The population of a place is important because
farm production may require intensive labor to be successful, as is true in rice-
growing areas of eastern Asia. The skills and qualifications of the population
also play a role in determining how a place fits into global economic affairs. The
number of people is a significant determinant of potential consumer demand.
Current population, rates of growth, age levels, and rural/urban population
distribution are closely related to today`s demand for various categories of
goods. Changes in the composition and distribution of population among the
world`s countries will strongly affect future demand.
Rural/Urban Shifts
There is a marked shift of the world`s population from rural to urban areas.
Migration from rural to urban areas is largely a result of a desire for greater
access to sources of education, health care, and improved job opportunities.
Once The trends of increasing population in the developing world with
substantial shifts from rural to urban areas, and declining birthrates in the
industrialised world, will have profound effects on the state of world business
and world economic conditions. In spite of an increase in world population,
multinational firms are experiencing a decrease in world markets on a relative
basis owing to the factor that moneyed world is loosing numbers and poor
nations are gaining numbers. Population size is vital in marketing, but people
must have a means to buy to be an effective demand.
Movement/ World Trade Routes
International marketing exists because movement permits the transportation of
people and goods and communication of information and ideas among different
places. The location and character of transportation and communication systems
long have had powerful influences on the economic standing of places. Many
ports have become prosperous cities because they channeled the movement of
goods on people between ocean and inland waterways. Business also has
succeeded at well-situated places along overland routs. Places where transfers
from one mode of transportation to another were required often were chosen as
sites for manufacturing activities. Favourable location along transportation lines
is beneficial for a place. Conversely an absence of good transportation severely
limits the potential for firms to succeed in a specific place. Transportation
patterns change over time, however, and so does their impact on places. The
role of advanced technology and its effect on international marketing is even
more apparent with respect to advances in communications systems.
Sophisticated forms of telecommunication that began more than 150 years ago
with the telegraph have advanced through the telephone to facsimile
transmissions and electronic mail networks. As a result, distance has practically
ceased to be a consideration with respect to the transmission of information.
Whereas information once moved only as rapidly as the person carrying the
paper on which the information was written, data and ideas now can be sent
instantaneously almost anywhere in the world. These communication advances
have had a staggering impact on the way that international marketing is
conducted. They have fostered the growth of multinational corporations, which
operate in diverse sites around the globe while maintaining effective links with
headquarters and regional control centers. International financial operations also
have been transformed because of communication advances. Major world trade
routes have developed among the most industrialised countries of the world ?
Europe, North America, and Japan. It might be said that trade routes bind the
world together, minimizing distance, natural barriers, and the fundamental
differences between peoples and economies. Early trade routes were overland,
later came sea routes and, finally, air routes to connect countries. Trade routes
represent the attempts of countries to overcome economic and social imbalances
created in part by the influence of geography.
Interaction and Region
The international marketing professional seeking to take advantage of
opportunities present in different places learns not to view each place separately.
The way a place function depends not only on the presence and form of certain
characteristics but also on interactions among those characteristics. Growing
concerns about environmental quality have led many people in more
economically advanced nations to call for changes in economic systems that
harm the natural environment. Like so many other geographical relationships,
the nature of human-environmental interaction changes over time. With
technological advances, people have been able to modify and adapt to natural
features in increasingly sophisticated ways. The development of air
conditioning has permitted people to function more effectively in hot tropical
environments. Advanced irrigation systems now permit crops to be grown in
places such as the southwestern United States, Northern Africa, and Israel. A
region is a set of places that share certain characteristics. Many regions are
defined by characteristics that all of the places in the group have in common.
Agricultural region include areas where certain farm products dominate.
2.2. Demographic Environment of International Marketing
Demography is the study of the characteristics of human populations. Today`s
demographic environment shows a changing age structure, shifting family profiles,
geographic population shits, a better-educated and more white-collar population,
and increasing diversity. Marketers are interested in population data because people
make the markets. Demographic data helps marketers in preparing their sectoral
plans. In the demographic environment, marketers must be aware of world wide
population growth; changing mixes of age, ethnic composition, and educational
levels; the rise of non-traditional families; large geographical shifts in population;
the size and growth rate of population in cities, regions, and nations; household
patterns; and regional characteristics and movements and the move to micro
marketing and away from mass marketing. These factors have a larger impact on
marketing decisions of a company. The world population is showing explosive
growth: it totaled 6.1 billion in 2000 and will exceed 7.9 billion by the year 2025.
Explosive population has major implications for business. A growing population
does not mean growing markets unless these markets have sufficient purchasing
power. However, companies that carefully analyse their markets can find major
opportunities. For example, to control rapid growth of population, the Chinese
government has passed regulations limiting families to one child. One consequence
of these regulations is these children are spoiled and fussed over as never before.
Known in China as little emperors, Chinese children are being showered with
everything from candy to computers as a result of the six pocket syndrome. As
many six adults ? parents, grandparent, great grand parents, and aunts and uncles-
may be indulging the whims of each child. This trend has encouraged toy companies
such as Japan`s Bandi Company, Denmark`s Lego Group to enter the Chinese
market.
Population Age Mix
National populations vary in their age mix. At one extreme is Mexico, a country
with a very young population and rapid population growth. At the other extreme is
Japan, a country with one of the world`s oldest populations. Milk, school suppliers,
and toys would be important products in Mexico. Japan`s population would
consume many more adult products. A population can be subdivided into six age
groups: preschool, school-age children, teens, young adults age 25-40, middle-aged
adults age 40-65, and older adults age 65 and up. For marketers, the most populous
age groups shape the marketing environment.
Ethnic and other markets
Countries also vary in ethnic and racial makeup. At one extreme is Japan, where
almost everyone is Japanese; at the other is the United States, where people
come virtually all nations. Each group has certain specific wants and buying
habits. Several food, clothing, and furniture companies have directed their
products and promotions to one or more of these groups. Within each ethnic
group, there are consumers who are quite different from each other. Diversity
goes beyond ethnic and racial markets.
Educational Groups
The population in different countries differs in their achieved educational level.
For example in Japan, 99 percent of the population is literate, whereas the
United States has one of the world`s highest percentages of college-educated
citizens, around 36 percent. The high number of educated people in the United
States spells a high demand for quality books, magazines, and travel, and a high
supply of skills.
Household Patterns
The traditional household consists of a husband, wife, and children. Yet, in the
United States today, one out of eight households is diverse or non-
traditional, and includes single live-alones, adult live-together of one or both
sexes, single parent families, childless married couples, and others. More people
are divorcing, choosing not to marry, marrying later, or marrying without the
intention to have children. Each group has a distinctive set of needs and buying
habits. For example, in the single, separated, widowed, divorced (SSWD) group
need smaller apartments; inexpensive and smaller appliances, furniture, and
furnishings; and smaller size food packages. Marketers must increasingly
consider the special needs of nontraditional households, because they are now
growing more rapidly than traditional households.
Shifts in Population
This is a period of great migratory movements between and within
countries. Forward-looking companies and entrepreneurs are taking
advantage of the growth in immigrant populations and marketing their
goods specifically to these new members of the population. Population
movement also occurs as people migrate from rural to urban areas, and
then to suburban areas changing the demand for products. There is
little excuse for a company for being suddenly surprised by
demographic developments.
Summary
Geography is the study of the earth`s surface, climate, continents, countries,
people, industries, resources etc. A prospective international marketer should be
familiar with the world, its climate, and topographic differences. Otherwise, the
important marketing characteristics of geography will be completely overlooked
when marketing in another country. Location, place, interaction, movement, and
region are all important geographical factors in international marketing. There
are complex geographical influences on the development of the general
economy and society of a country. The need for studying geography is to
provide the marketer with an understanding of why a country has developed.
Geography is one of the important environments of foreign marketing that
should be understood and that must be included in foreign marketing plans to
the extent they influence on marketing effort.
Climate and topography demands product adaptation. Products that are fit in
temperature zones may be unfit in cold zones. There are differences even in a
single national market, as climate may be so diverse that require major
adjustments. The socio-economic characteristics of the people in a country also
depend upon geography. Other vital factors in geography affecting international
marketing are the location, quality, and availability of resources. Water
availability is an important factor affecting the economic activity of a region or
place. The qualifications of the population, the number of people, changes in
the composition and distribution of population among the world`s countries are
all important in demand.
Demography deals with population characteristics like size, rate of growth,
density, location, age, gender, race, occupation, and other statistics. Today`s
demographic environment shows a changing age structure, shifting family
profiles, geographical shifts in population, and a better-educated population.
Changes in the population characteristics will have its impact on the
international marketing decisions. Data on demographic characteristics help
marketers to produce goods according to the specific requirements of population
and household characteristics. The population in different countries differs in
their achieved educational level and this will have its implications on the
demand. Changes in household patterns also change the demand for products.
Self Assessment Questions (SAQs)
1. Describe the importance geography in understanding the international
markets?
Geography is the study of earth`s surface, climate people, resources etc.
Globalisation of business has made geography very important in
international marketing. The physical character of a nation is crucial in
determining the character of a society. There should variations in products
and equipments according to the climate. There are natural barriers, which
inhibit national growth trade and communication. Geographic hurdles must
be recognised as having a direct impact on marketing. Availability of
resources, world population trends, rural urban migration and trade routes
are vital factors affecting production and marketing and demand.
2. Examine the effects of topography and climate on products, population,
transportation, and economic growth?
The location and climate of a country are important environmental
considerations to an international marketer. It influences production and
development of marketing systems. There are many regions of the world that
have extreme topographic and climatic variations. For example,
manufacturers found that construction equipment used in the United States
required extensive modifications to cope with the intense heat and dust of
the Sahara Desert. Locational and climatical differences will result in
variations in production and marketing. Even within a nation there are
locational and climatical differences which demand variations in product and
marketing. There are natural barriers on market development and these are to
be recognised as vital factors in international marketing.
3. Explain how changes in the demographic environments affect marketing
decisions?
Demographic factors like the size, growth rate, age composition, sex
composition of population and family size, educational levels, religion etc. is all
factors, which are relevant to business. Hence, the marketers must be aware of
changes in demographic factors like worldwide population growth, age
composition, ethnic composition, and educational levels, the rise of non
traditional families; large geographic shifts in population, and the move to micro
marketing and away from macro marketing. For the marketers, the most
populous age groups shape the marketing environment. The level of education is
an important factor affecting marketing. For example, the high number of
educated people in the United States has resulted in a high demand for quality
books, magazines etc. There are rapid changes in the household patterns from
traditional to non-traditional and marketers must meet the special needs of
nontraditional households, who are growing rapidly than traditional
households.
Key Words
Demography
Environmental damage
Topography and Climate
Rural urban shifts
World population trends
World Trade routes
Lesson III
Economic and Socio-Cultural Environment
Learning Objectives: By the end of this lesson you should be able to: 1. provide
an overview of the world economic environment- micro and macro and explain
the economic variables affecting international marketing 2. explain differences
among nations in the levels of economic development 4. the impact of
economic environment on international marketing strategy 5. explain soico-
cultural elements most relevant to marketing 6. describe the influence of socio-
cultural factors on people`s lifestyles, behaviour patterns and in market place.
3. Economic and Socio-cultural Environments
The economic conditions, economic policies and economic systems are
important factors affecting international business. The economic
environment of the world is fast changing and economic reforms are
carried out in almost all countries of the world. These changes will
have vital implications to international marketing. Similarly, the socio-
cultural factors are very important in international marketing. This
lesson examines the influence of economic and socio-cultural
environments on international marketing. This lesson describes the
meaning of culture; explore the profound effect of culture on
marketing along with the various elements of culture. The need for
cultural adaptation overseas is explored. An attempt is also made to
analyse the impact of foreign business on local culture is examined.
3.1. Economic Environment
The economic environment is of critical importance to marketers because
business cycles and other economic environment such as inflation,
productivity, shortages, unemployment, resource availability, etc. have a
tremendous impact on marketing. This affects consumer`s real purchasing power
as well as their confidence in purchasing. Economic changes may affect
different organisations in unequal ways. Hence, they have to prepare the
marketing programmes and strategies according to their individual requirements.
Key factors in the economic environment of a country in which a firm is doing
business are the nature and the extent of competition, growth rates and living
standards, tax regimes, import controls and market opportunities as a whole.
The balance of payment is also an important economic factor affecting
international marketing.
3.1.1 Economic Differences in Standards of Living
Many variations in marketing systems originate in straightforward economic
differences- they are due to differences in standards of living found around the
world. The significant differences are those between low, moderate and high-
income societies.
Low Income Countries
Low-income countries are those with percapita national incomes of less than
$400 per year. The marketing in these societies is relatively simple. A large
proportion of population live by subsistence farming, producing most of the
food, housing, clothing, and other goods they need with their own labour. They
engage in a small amount of selling in order to buy a few manufactured goods.
A marketing system exists to accomplish this exchange, but the volume is small
and the variety of goods involved is very limited. Hence, the volume of goods
limits the marketing process. The channels of distribution are simple. Sales
promotion is practices, but typically at a low level of development.
The Moderate-Income Category: The important distinction between moderate-
income countries and low-income countries is that with the ability to purchase
many items beyond the bare subsistence level, appreciable discretionary buying
power emerges in moderate income countries. The magnitude of the marketing
system is greater and therefore, different types of distribution channels appear,
and the advertising and sales-promotion process develops as sellers seek to steer
the discretionary buying power in one direction or another.
High Income Societies:
The United States is an excellent example for high-income societies and differs
from moderate-income group of societies as the large part of societies in U.S.
could achieve an adequate level of income by prevailing social standards. In
high-income societies, most people can afford many luxury items of a good life.
The marketing system in these societies show increased complexity because of
the greater volume of goods handled. But the most important characteristic is the
high degree to which their distribution and sales promotion systems are geared
to influence the buyer because they must not only guide but also generate
demand.
3.1.2. Element of Dynamism
The second aspect of the economic dimension in marketing systems is the
element of change. A society that is stagnant is quite different for marketing
purposes from one that is moving ahead. We have seen many of the low-income
countries move from stagnation to rapid progress. In a stagnant society,
consumption pattern tend to become set, and the whole marketing process
becomes a routine supply operation. In contrast, in a dynamic society,
consumption patterns are changing and the marketing system must organise
itself to the new patterns and it has to influence the process of change through
distribution methods and promotion. For example, in Germany, in 1953, 92
percent of the average family`s income went for necessities, by 1967, income
had roughly doubled and the portion going for luxuries had jumped from 8
percent to 33 percent.
3.1.3. Geography
The third aspect of the economic dimension is geography. The most important
elements in this category are natural resources, climate, and conditions that
affect transportation. Some of the effects of geography are of simple nature-such
as the greater need for clothing and shelter in harsh climates. Others are more
complex and influence the character of an economy. For example, some
countries because of their rich natural resources have developed a much greater
money economy than is typical of others in their vicinity ? Venezuela and Saudi
Arabia, to cite two cases in point. Other countries, weak in natural resources, but
favoured by good transportation conditions, have prospered by importing raw
materials, manufacturing and exporting finished goods- England and Japan
being the classic examples. These characteristics are most important in the
development of international marketing plans.
The economic environment can be viewed from two different angles - the micro
view and the macro view. According to the macro view, people` s wants, needs
and economic policy of a country establish market scope and economic outlook.
A micro environmental view focuses on a firm`s ability to compete within a
market.
3.1a. Macroeconomic Environment
The most important macroeconomic environmental factors are population and
income, concept of economic advancement, structure of consumption in addition
to other economic indicators like economic systems and mutual economic
dependence.
Population and income
The aggregate consuming capacity depends upon total population as well as
percapita income. The consumption rate can be satisfied either domestically or
through imports. The reason for the concentration of U.S. multinationals in
Western Europe, Japan and Canada are due to their high percapita income. In
contrast, despite a large population, India does not offer a huge market potential.
Concept of Economic Advancement
Economic advancement is characterized by such factors as relatively small
allocation of labour force to agriculture: energy available in large amounts at
low cost; high level of output and income; high level of percapita consumption;
relatively low rates of population growth etc.
Structure of Consumption
Consumption in most advanced countries is characterized by a higher proportion
of expenditures devoted to capital goods than consumption goods against poor
countries, where substantially more is spent on consumer goods. The structural
differences with regard to expenditures among nations can be explained by a
theory propounded by the German Statistician Engel. The law of consumption
(Engel`s Law) states that poorer families and societies tend to spend a greater
proportion of their incomes on food than well to ?do people.
Other Economic Indicators
In addition to population, income, and expenditures, there are many other
aspects of economic environment that are important to an international marketer.
Raw materials ? natural and industrial, production of food stuffs, prices, supply
of electricity, finance etc are all important as far as international marketing is
concerned. A marketer need not gather information about all these indicators.
The purpose of the project determines the economic indicators to be examined at
a particular time.
Economic Systems
The economic system of a country - Capitalism, Socialism, Communism and
Mixed Economy are other economic factors that a marketer must understand.
The nature of economic systems affects the political/regulatory control of the
economy.
Thus, when performing an economic analysis, an international marketer needs to
consider the economic perspectives of the overall world economy, particularly
those of its major trading partners and the host country.
3.1b. Microeconomic Environment
Microeconomic environment refers to the environment surrounding a product or
market of interest to a company. An examination of microenvironment indicates
whether the company can successfully enter the market. Essentially the
microeconomic environment concerns competition.
Sources of Competition
A company may face competition in an international market from three different
sources: local business, other companies of the home country and other foreign
companies. Different competitors may satisfy different types of demand:
existing demand, latent demand and incipient demand. Existing demand refers to
a product bought to satisfy a particular need. Latent demand applies in a
situation where a particular need has been recognized, but no products have
been offered. Incipient demand describes a projected need that will emerge
when customers become aware of it some time in future. Competition can also
be analysed by the characteristics of products. Three product categories are in
use and they are breakthrough product ? a unique innovation that is mainly
technical in nature, such as a digital watch, a colour television etc., a
competitive product - one of many brands currently available in the market and
has no special advantage over the competing products, and an improved product
- not unique but is generally superior to many existing brands.
The nature of the competition that a company faces in entering an overseas
market can be determined by relating the three types of products to the three
types of demand. After examining the competition, a company should be able to
ascertain which product/market is most suitable to the company.
3.2. Socio-cultural Environment
Cultural differences deeply affect market behaviour. International marketers,
therefore, need to be familiar with the cultural traits of any country they want to
do business with. International business literature is full of instances where
stereotyped notions of countries` cultures have led to insurmountable problems.
Practically international marketing decisions are culture bound. To understand
the ways in which marketing differs among countries, one should look the role
of marketing in the structure of society. The simple social systems of the
primitive tribe have progressed in to a proliferation of organisations including
the social, religions, family, educational, and work groups as well as other units
like fraternal societies that are primarily social in purpose. Since the early days
of subsistence production, the process by making goods and getting them from
producer to consumer has expanded into our extensive economic structure of
which the marketing system is a central component. Religion plays a major role
in family systems, and much education is accomplished. within work units. We
must therefore consider marketing not only in its direct role as the physical
process by which goods move to the consumer, but also in its relation to the
other systems of society. Material goods and marketing process contribute to the
satisfaction of the other needs of man. Probably the most significant effects are
in the social area, for the marketing system often satisfies a sizeable part of a
person`s social needs.
The influences of the religious, family, educational, and social systems of a
society on the marketing system comprise the cultural dimension of our picture.
The cultural attitudes vary among countries and it is difficult to find a general
pattern. To determine the cultural aspects of markets, we must analyse each
society by itself without the benefit of guiding generalizations. Religion, Family
systems, social and educational systems are some of the common threads that
run through the cultures of groups of countries.
Religion
A few major religions have spread over large areas. Religion has much to do
with the types of products people buy, the way they buy them, and the way they
manage businesses. Roman Catholicism dominates a large segment of the world,
notably Latin America and the southern European countries. Islam covers
another large area stretching across northern Africa, through the Middle East,
and on as far as Indonesia. These religions have a number of specific marketing
effects, such as the Moslem prohibition of liquor etc. Religions are a major
determinant of the moral and ethical standards that play a large part in the
marketing process. Religions are a major determinant of the moral and ethical
standards that play a large part in the marketing process.
Family System
Family system differs widely among countries. It differs in placing subordinate
or equal role to wife, rights and control over the affairs of the family.
Educational System
There are also differences in educational methods common to large areas. The
differences in educational system have its effects on marketing management and
market research.
Social Relationships
We know that the value systems of people are strongly influenced by their quest
for the social prestige attached to status symbols, among which is the ownership
of various material goods. There are attitudes among each population not
encompassed by the basic systems we have been considering. Notable for
marketing purposes are the artistic tastes of people, which are important factors
in the appearance of products and the character of advertising and other
promotion efforts. There are also a host of specific elements in the life of each
country that are significant in some way- white is for mourning in China, a cow
is sacred in India, and so on. In the socio-cultural arena, marketers must
understand people`s views of themselves, others, organisations, society, and the
nature. They must market products that correspond to society`s core and
secondary value, and address the needs of different subcultures within a society.
The cultural traits of a country have a profound effect on people`s life style and
behaviour patterns, and these are reflected in the market place. Culture is a
complex term, and its precise definition is difficult. Broadly defined, however, it
refers to all learned behaviour of all facets of life and living transmitted from
generation to generation. Cultural differences among countries can be subtle and
zealously followed. The study of culture includes material life; social
interactions, between individuals and groups in formal and informal situations;
language (spoken/written words, symbols and physical expressions that people
use to communicate); aesthetics (art, drama, music); religion and faith; pride and
prejudice and ethics and more. Cultural traits account for such differences
among nations as colour preferences, concept of time, and authority patterns.
For example, in Western countries a bride`s gown is usually white. In the Far
East, however, women wear white during mourning. Cultural differences have
impact on marketing decisions affecting product, price, distribution, and
promotion. To conduct business successfully across national boundaries,
marketers must adapt themselves to local cultures. For cultural adaptation, self-
reference criterion (SRC) should be avoided so as to understand new foreign
situations. A discussion of culture must also deal with cultural change. Cultures
do change, but change is usually slow in coming. Induatrialisation is an
important factor behind cultural change. Multinational corporations, through
involvement in the industrialisation process, serve as change agents in foreign
cultures. Their worldwide networks of affiliates transmit the values of the parent
corporation culture through advertising media and through the
internationalisation of business education.
Each country has its own folkways, norms and taboos when designing
international marketing strategies. Companies must understand how culture
affects consumer reflections in each of its world markets. In turn, they must also
understand how their strategies affect local cultures. The seller must examine
the ways consumers in different countries think about and use certain products
before planning marketing program. For example, the average French man uses
almost twice as many cosmetics and beauty aids as his wife. Italian children
like to eat Chocolate bars between slices of breed as a snack. Women in
Tanzania will not give their children eggs for fear of making them bald or
impotent. Overlooking cultural differences can result in embarrassing mistakes.
A nations culture represents a collective frame of reference through which a
wide range of issues and problems are interpreted. It determines how
individuals and affects specialization, friendship patterns, social institutions, and
aesthetics of language perceive symbols, sounds, pictures and behaviour. An
important function of culture is that it helps the individual to define concepts.
This is vitally important for the design of advertising images because culturally
based conceptualizations can determine how a message is interpreted and how
the message recipient responds to its contents. National media that carry
advertisements are influenced by a nations culture in terms of the spoken and
written language, the editorial of magazines, newspapers and radio and
television programmes.
Attitudes Expressed by the Media towards National Issues
Culture affects what people buy (taboos, local tastes, historical traditions etc.),
when they buy (e.g. the spending boom around Christmas in Christian countries)
who does the purchasing (men or women) and the overall pattern of consumer
buying behaviour. Culture can also affect consumer behaviour in relation to:
which consumer needs are felt more intensely, which family members take
which purchasing decisions.
Attitudes Towards Foreign Products
Cultural influences are evident in some aspects of a country`s demographic
make up. E.g. Fords Pinto car sold poorly in certain parts of Latin America,
where the word Pinto` is slang for small make sexual organ`.
Social Values
These are moral principles or standards against which the desirability of certain
modes of behaviour may be assessed. Values help determine what an individual
considers important personal priorities, and how he or she assesses other
people`s worth. Values influence perspectives on a variety of matters: the work
ethic, honestly, social responsibility, choice of career and so on. Values change
over time; some may disappear entirely as environmental circumstances alter.
Also values may vary across industries and from state to state.
3.2.1 Concept of Culture
Culture has been defined in different ways. It includes all learned behaviour and
values that are transmitted to an individual living within the society through
shared experience. The concept of culture is broad and extremely complex. It
encompasses virtually every part of person`s life. A nation may embody more
than one culture. The two cultures may exhibit fundamental cultural differences.
Cultural understanding requires examination of cultural elements within a
country like material life, social interactions, language, aesthetics, religion and
faith, ethics and mores, role and responsibility, and pride and prejudice.
Material life
Material life refers to economics- how people derive their livelihood. Material
life reflects standard of living and degree of economic advancement. In a less
developed country, a large proportion of population is engaged in agriculture.
The medium of exchange is a barter system, markets are local, and living is
entirely rural. These descriptions suggest that the society is primitive and in
primitive societies, multinational business will be nonexistent. In contrast, the
culture of a society where manufacturing industry serves as the major source of
employment, people live in urban centres, money is the medium of exchange,
business across national boundaries would make sense.
Social Interactions
Social interactions establish the role that people play in a society and their
authority/responsibility pattern. Social roles also are established by culture. For
example a woman can be a wife, a mother, a community leader, and/or
employee. What role is preferred in different situations is culture bound. The
authority of the aged, the teacher, and the religious in many societies is held
high. The educational system, the social settings and customs and traditions
reassert the prescribed roles and patterns of individuals and groups. With
reference to marketing, the social interactions influence family decision-making
and buying behaviour and define the scope of personal influence and opinion.
An empirical study showed how cultural differences affect the husband-wife
influence in buying decisions. A Singapore husband played a more dominant
role than his U.S. counterpart in family decision-making. Language as part of
culture is important in international marketing. Some times same word may
mean an entirely different thing in different cultures. Therefore, an international
marketer must be careful in handling the matter of language in business
dealings, contracts, negotiations, advertising, and so on. Symbolic
communication is equally important. In many situations the symbolic language
of communication is more important than the actual words, and people respond
accordingly. Therefore, an international businessperson must understand cultural
differences and behave accordingly to avoid inadvertently communicating the
wrong message.
Aesthetics
Aesthetics include art, the drama, the music, the folkways, and the architecture
endemic in a society. These aspects of society convey the concept of beauty and
expression revered in a culture. For example, different colours have different
meanings worldwide. In Western societies, wedding gowns are usually white,
but in Asia white symbolizes sorrow. The aesthetic values have an impact on the
design and marketing of different people.
Religion and Faith
Religion influences a culture`s outlook on life; it`s meaning, and concept.
Religion also influences male-female roles, as well as societal institutions and
customs, such as marriage and funeral rites. It also affects patterns of living in
various other ways. It establishes authority relationships, and individual`s duties
and responsibilities. The religious traits and tenets may profoundly affect
marketing and international marketers must be sensitive to the religious
principles of the host country.
Pride and Prejudice
Culture fosters pride and prejudice in its inhabitants. Cultural pride and
prejudice make many nations reject foreign ideas and imported goods.
Ethics and Customs
The concept of what is right or wrong is based on culture.
3.2.2 Culture and Marketing
Culture influences every aspect of marketing. Figure 2.2 describes the linkage
between culture and marketing. A marketing oriented firm should make
decisions based on customer perspectives. Customers` actions are shaped by
their lifestyles and behaviour patterns as they stem from their society`s culture.
Thus, the products that people buy, the attributes that they value are all culture-
based choices. Thus, a person`s perspectives, resources, problems and
opportunities are generated and conditioned by culture to a considerable extent.
Figure 2.2 Impact of Culture on Marketing Decisions
Culture will have its impact on the food habits of people. Food consumption,
acquisition, and preparation also are interrelated with many of the other
universals of culture, including religious observances and ceremonies, fasting,
folklore, and the division of labour. Cultural pressures easily overrule
physiological necessities. Therefore, it becomes even more difficult for an
individual alien to a culture to predict that culture`s preference for or rejection of
certain food habits. No matter who shops, or where, cultural differences always
affect decision making when it comes to the product and its price, as well as to
the way it is distributed and promoted.
The product
The performance of a product /market depends on a variety of factors. The
failure of a product in a country is traceable to cultural blunders. A product that
has been highly profitable in a country may fail in another country due to
cultural differences. Thus the product positioning in a foreign market should
match the country`s unique cultural environment.
Distribution
Channels of distribution may need to be modified to suit local conditions. The
method of door-to door and other direct selling may work in some countries,
which may fail in certain other countries.
Promotion
Promotion practices, particularly advertising, are most susceptible to cultural
error. Examples abound where advertising copy and design were culturally
revolting and therefore, totally ineffective. Pepsi ran into difficulties in Germany
for using its U.S. ad, Come alive, you`re in the Pepsi generation, which in
German meant, Come alive out of the grave.``
3.2.3. Cultural Analysis
The analysis of cultural differences is necessary for the formulation of
international marketing strategy. The cultural analysis may be based on three -
ethnocentrism, assimilation, and primacy of host country viewpoint. The
ethnocentrism assumes that what is good at home should work in foreign
countries a well. The assimilation approach assumes that the cultural traits
demonstrated in one society is relevant anywhere. The primacy of host country
approach concerns market composition and emphasizes basing decisions on host
country cultural traits. This approach considers domestic information as
inappropriate to successful operation in markets outside the home country.
3.2.4. Assessment of Culture
An assessment of country`s culture for marketing`s sake involves the analysis of
the people`s attitudes, motivations, perceptions, and learning processes.
However, simply knowing about the religion or morality of a culture is not
enough. The marketer must analyse the product planned to be introduced into
the country has any direct or indirect connotations that conflict with the cultural
patterns of the society. Similarly, an examination of advertising themes, phrases,
words, or expressions should confirm the viability of promotional decisions. The
cultural values of a nation may be studied through either observation or
fieldwork.
3.2.5. Cultural Adaptation
It refers to the making of business decisions appropriate to the cultural traits of
the society. Thus, the decisions should be sensitive to the local culture to ensure
that the native customs, traditions, and taboos offer no constraint to their
implementation.
The impact of culture is ever-present in all marketing decisions. Obviously,
international marketers must seek cultural adaptation overseas. All their
decisions and actions should be fully similar with local culture. The cultural
adaptation is very difficult to practice. The major reason for this difficulty is the
Self Reference Criterion (SRC). The SRC explains that whenever people are
faced with unique situations, their own values are the measure for their
understanding and response to the circumstances. For example, if some one in
the United States is late for an appointment, that person will feel guilty about it
and apologize for being late. On the other hand, to the Arab, a 9 A.M. meeting
does not communicate an exact time but would be understood as sometime in
the morning. The tendency toward SRC is a stumbling block in cultural
adaptation.
Areas of Adaptation
There are three areas of foreign business adaptation: product, institutional, and
individual. The product may be modified to fit to the foreign country climate.
The Institutional behaviour includes adaptation of the organisation and business
interactions to match the host`s perspective. The adaptation of Individuals`
responses to foreign situations should strive to be free of SRC. Such adaptation
may be required in all regards-the meaning of time, social behaviour, play
behaviour, family interactions, and more.
Views of themselves
People vary in the relative emphasis they place on self-gratification. In the
United States during the 1960s and 1970s, pleasure seekers sought fun,
change, and escape. Others sought "self-realization. People bought dream cars
and dream vacations and spent more time in health activities, in introspection,
and in arts and crafts. Today, some people are adopting more conservative
behaviours and ambitions. Marketers must recognize that there are many
different groups with different views of themselves.
Views of others
People are concerned about the homeless, crime and victims, and other social
problems. They would like to live in a more human society. At the same time,
people are seeking out their own kind and avoiding strangers. These trends
signify a growing market for social-support products and services that promote
direct relations between human beings, such as health clubs, and religious
activity. They also suggest a growing market for social surrogates, things that
allow people who are alone to feel that they are not, such as television, home
video games, and chat rooms on the Internet.
Views of Organisations
People vary in their attitudes toward corporations, government agencies, trade
unions, and other organisations. Most people are willing to work for these
organisations, but there has been an overall decline in organisational loyalty.
Many people today see work not as a source of satisfaction, but as a required
task to earn money to enjoy their no work hours. This outlook has several
marketing implications. Companies need to find new ways to win back
consumer and employee confidence. They need to make sure that they are good
corporate citizens and that their consumer messages are honest.
Views of Society
People vary in their attitudes toward their society. Some defend it (preservers),
some want to change it (changers) some are looking for something deeper
(seekers), and some want to leave it (escapers). Consumption patterns often
reflect social attitude. Changers usually live more thriftily, driving smaller cars
and wearing simpler clothes. Escapers and seekers are a major market for
movies, music, surfing and camping.
Views of Nature
People vary in their attitudes toward nature. Some feel dominated by it, others
feel in harmony with it, and still others seek mastery over it. Recently, people
recognise that nature can be destroyed by human activities. Business has
responded to this as Tour operators are packaging tours to wilderness areas and
Food producers preparing natural food products. There are some other cultural
characteristics of interest to marketers- the persistence of core cultural values,
the existence of subcultures, and shifts of values through time.
3.2.6. Persistence of Core cultural values
The people living in a particular society hold many core beliefs and values that
tend to persist. Core beliefs and values are passed on from parents to children
and are reinforced by major social institutions- schools, churches, businesses,
and governments. Secondary beliefs and values are more open to change.
Believing in the institution of marriage is a core belief; believing that people
ought to get married early is a secondary belief. Thus family planning marketers
could make some headway arguing that people should get married later, rather
than that they should not get married at all. Marketers have some chance of
changing secondary values but little chance of changing core values.
3.2.7. Existence of Subcultures
Each society contains subcultures, groups with shared values emerging from
their special life experiences or circumstances. To the extent that sub cultural
groups exhibit different wants and consumption behaviour, marketers can
choose particular subcultures as target markets. Although core values are fairly
persistent, cultural swings do take place. IN the 1960s, hippies and other cultural
phenomena had a major impact on young peoples hairstyles, clothing and life
goals. New heroes and new activities influence today`s young people.
Summary
Economic variables relating to the various markets characteristics - population,
income, consumption patterns, infrastructure, geography, and attitudes toward
foreign involvement in the economy-form a starting point for assessment of
market potential for the international marketer. These data are readily available
but should be used in conjunction with other, more interpretive data because the
marketer`s plans often require a long-term approach. Data on the economic
environment produce a snapshot of the past; in some cases, old data are used to
make decisions affecting operations two years in the future. Even if the data are
recent, they cannot themselves indicate the growth and the intensity of
development. Some economies remain stagnant, plagued by natural calamities,
internal problems and lack of export markets, whereas some witness booming
economic development. Economic data provide a baseline from which other
more market/product-specific and even experimental data can be collected.
Understanding the composition and interrelationships between economic
indicators is essential for the assessment of the other environments and their
joint impact on market potential. The international marketer needs to
understand the impact of the economic environment on social development.
The emergence of economic integration in the world economy poses unique
opportunities and challenges to the international marketer. Eliminating barriers
between member markets and erecting new ones vis-?-vis nonmembers will call
for adjustments in past strategies to fully exploit the new situations. In the late
1980s and early 1990s, economic integration increased substantially. The
signing of the North American Free Trade Agreement produced the largest
trading bloc in the world, whereas the Europeans are moving in their
cooperation beyond the pure trade dimension. In the economic arena, marketers
need to focus on income distribution and levels of saving, debt, and credit
availability.
Culture is one of the most challenging elements of the international market
place. This system of learned behaviour patterns characteristic of the members
of a given society is constantly shaped by a set of dynamic variables: language,
religion, values and attitudes, manners and customs, aesthetics, technology,
education and social institutions. An international manager, to cope with this
system, needs both factual and interpretive knowledge of culture. To some
extent, the factual can be learned; the interpretation comes only through
experience. The most complicated problems in dealing with the cultural
environment stem from the fact that we cannot learn culture-we have to live it.
Two schools of thought exist in the business world on how to deal with cultural
diversity. One is that business is business the world around, following the
model of Pepsi and McDonald`s. In some cases, globalization is a fact of life,
however, cultural differences are still far from converging.
The other school proposes that companies must tailor business
approaches to individual cultures. Setting up policies and procedures in each
country has been compared to an organ transplant; the critical question centers
on acceptance or rejection. The major challenge to the international manager is
to make sure that rejection is not a result of cultural myopia or even blindness.
The internationally successful companies all share an important quality-
patience. They have not rushed into situations but rather built their operations
carefully by following the most basic business principles. These principles are
to know your adversary, know your audience, and know your customer.
Culture has both a pervasive and changing influence on each national market
environment. International marketers must recognize the influence of culture
and must be prepared to either respond to it or change it. International
marketers have played an important and even a leading role in influencing the
rate of cultural change around the world. This is particularly true of food, but it
includes virtually every industry, particularly in consumer products. Soap and
detergent manufacturers have changed washing habits, the electronics industry
has changed entertainment patterns, clothing marketers have changed styles, and
so on. In industrial products culture does affect product characteristics and
demand but is more important as an influence on the marketing process,
particularly in the way business is done. International marketers have learned to
rely upon people who know and understand local customs and attitudes for
marketing expertise. Often, but not always, these are local nationals. The world
is becoming more and more monocultural. Today you can get Japanese noodles
in the United States and McDonald`s hamburgers in Japan. Cultural factors are
simply not as important as they were 50, even 10, years ago.
Self-Assessment Questions (SAQs)
1. What is the impact of economic environment on international marketing?
The economic environment of a country is a significant factor in international
marketing. Population and income, consumption expenditure, business cycles,
productivity, shortages of raw materials, unemployment, resource availability,
etc. have a tremendous impact on marketing. Significant economic factors
affecting business in a country are the nature and the extent of competition,
growth rates and living standards, tax regimes, import controls and market
opportunities etc. The balance of payment of a country is also an important
economic factor affecting international marketing. Differences in standards of
living among low, moderate and high-income societies are an important factor to
a marketer. In low-income countries, the volume of goods limits the marketing
process. In moderate-income countries, the magnitude of the marketing system
is greater. In high income societies, the marketing system is complex, volume of
goods traded are greater, distribution and sales promotion systems are geared to
influence the buyers to generate even demand.
2. What are the key methods for tracking and identifying opportunities in the
macro environment?
The economic environment can be divided into micro and macro. The most
important macroeconomic environmental factors are population and income,
level of economic development, pattern of consumption, economic systems are
the most important macroeconomic environmental factors in affecting
international marketing. Apart from these factors, raw materials, prices, finance
etc are all important as far as an international marketer is concerned.
3. Explain how changes in Socio -cultural environments affect marketing
decisions?
Almost all international marketing decisions are culture bound. Social,
religions, family, educational, volume and method of production affect the
international marketing. Religions are a major determinant of the moral and
ethical standards that play a large part in the marketing process and on
marketing. For example, liquor is prohibited among Muslims. The differences in
the system of families will also influence marketing decisions. Cultural traits
account for such differences among nations as colour preferences, concept of
time, and authority patterns. For successful business across national boundaries,
marketers must adapt themselves to local cultures. The self-reference criterion
(SRC) should be avoided so as to understand new foreign situations. The
marketers must understand people`s views of themselves, others, organisations,
societies, nature, and the universe. They must market products that correspond
to society`s core and secondary values, and address the needs of different
subcultures within a society. Transnational corporations serve as agents of
change in foreign cultures through their advertising. Neglect of cultural
differences will result in severe damages to the marketer. Aesthetic aspects of
society convey the concept of beauty and expression and have an impact on the
design and marketing. Cultural adaptation in business appropriate to the local
culture will result in the advantage of the marketer.
Key words
Cultural environment
Economic Environment
Engle`s law
Macroeconomic environment
Microeconomic environment
Lesson IV
Political and Legal Environment and The impact of Environment on
International Marketing Decisions
Learning Objectives: By the end of this chapter you should be able to: 1. explain
how international law, home country law, and host country law affect
international marketing. 2. describe the development of international law as it
relates to marketing, 3. explain basic elements of the international legal,
political, and regulatory environment including the rules and organizations
now in existence to deal with them, the important factors in jurisdiction of
international legal disputes and 4. describe the impact of environment on
international marketing decisions
4.1. Political Environment of International Marketing
The role of the political system on marketing comes from laws, regulations, and
other government actions that restrict or direct the way in which business may
be conducted. Companies planning international marketing must have an in
depth knowledge of the political environment in the countries where they like to
do business. There are many types of political risk associated with actions of the
governing bodies. There are wide variations in the political environments of
countries and if the political environment is characterized by instability and
uncertainty, entry for marketing will be prevented. In brief a thorough review of
the political environment must pave the way to a new market in a foreign
country. Furthermore, the political environments of countries do not remain
static. Political changes and upheavals may occur after an international marketer
has made a promise and has and established business. Political environment
connotes diverse happenings. It may be a national difficulty like the conflict
between the Communist government in Poland and solidarity or acts of
terrorism against business (for example, kidnappings, arson) or conflicts
between countries in a particular region like the war between India and China or
an unending problem like the enmity between Israel and its Arab neighbours.
Political risk is associated with the actions of local and regional governing
bodies affecting the international company with the overall economic and
political stability within a particular country. Political stability of a country is
one of the fundamental factors that companies consider when going overseas.
There are various types political risks in international marketing. Political risks
will emerge to due to unstable political environment such as violence,
expropriation, restriction of operations, and restrictions on repatriation of capital
and remittances of profits. If the risk is high in a particular politically unstable
country, it is necessary to know how to monitor that country`s ongoing political
situation. The political conflicts and difficulties in foreign countries and their
effects on overseas business are analysed here. Planned responses to political
change accessible to multinational marketers are also examined.
4.1.a. Politics and marketing
Marketing decisions in the international context are deeply affected by the
political perspectives of both home and host countries. For example,
government decisions have significantly affected the U.S automotive industry.
Stringent requirements such as the fuel efficiency standards have burdened the
industry in several ways. Government around the world helps their domestic
industries to strengthen their competitiveness through various fiscal and
monetary measures. Such political support can play a key role in an industry`s
search for markets abroad. Without such assistance, an industry may face a
difficult situation. The competition facing U.S manufacturers, therefore, both at
home and in international markets, is potent and resourceful. Moreover a
number of these overseas competitors are wholly or partly state-owned and
respond to the direction of their governments, which depend heavily on their
export business for the maintenance of employment and the earning of foreign
exchange. This makes politics important, deeply influencing the perspectives of
international marketing. Politics may affect international marketing in various
ways. For example, during late 1980`s Japan liberalized tobacco imports by
lifting restrictions on price, distribution, and the number of retail outlets that can
handle their products. This was to encourage foreign suppliers to intensify their
marketing efforts. In July 1985, Mexico approved the long-delayed, once-
rejected 100 percent IBM-owned microcomputer plant to encourage more
foreign investment.
Theoretically, multinational enterprises are affected by politics in three areas.
They are the pattern of ownership in the parent company of the affiliate, the
direction and nature of growth of the affiliate, and the flow of product,
technology, and managerial skills within the companies of the group. The
government can substantially influence the strategy of Multinational
Corporations (MNCs) affiliates in ways that were thought impossible even a few
years ago. In India, many MNC affiliates had to diversify into areas where
neither the parent company nor the affiliate had the core capabilities.
Competence ceased to be an important factor in strategy formulation compared
to the need to conform to political directives and regulations. In general, the
transfer of product and technology from the parent company in order to exploit
new markets in the host country meets with obstruction from the government
unless the technology is in the areas specified by regulation.
The political impact does not end here. It has further ramifications on the
MNC`s worldwide operations. With regulations forcing MNC affiliates,
operating in controlled economies, to move into areas where the parent company
may or may not have prior experience, the parent company will find increasing
difficulties in developing worldwide strategies to maximize their corporate
interests. The large MNCs will have problems in achieving worldwide
integration of resources, physical, human, and financial. Dilution of ownership
will lead to erosion of the power of the parent company to control the
management process in the affiliates. In short, the dissimilarity of business
between the affiliates and the parent, along with reduced ownership by parent,
will make the latter primarily an investor. If this pattern continues, parent
companies will soon find that they are no longer in a position to integrate their
resources worldwide.
4.1.b. Sources of Political Problems
Figure 2.3 illustrates sources of political problems for firms doing business in
foreign countries. Political impact on business comes mainly from political
sovereignty and political conflict.
Figure 2.3 Politics and International Marketing
Political sovereignty
Political sovereignty refers to a country`s aspiration to declare its power over
foreign business through diverse sanctions. Such sanctions are normal and
evolutionary predictable. An example is increases in taxes over foreign
operations. Many of the less-developed countries impose restrictions on foreign
business to protect their independence. These nations are envious of their
political freedom and want to protect it at all costs, even if it means going at a
slow economic pace and without the help of multinational corporations. The
industrialized nations require a more open policy for the economic realities of
today`s world. Today, governments are likely to curtail unemployment, reduce
inflation, redistribute income, provide health services, and not misuse the
environment. These objectives make developed countries seek foreign
technology, use foreign capital and foreign raw materials, and sell their products
in foreign markets. In brief, among the developed countries multinationalism of
business is politically tolerable and economically attractive.
Political Conflict
Several countries of the world experience political conflict of diverse sorts.
Political conflicts may be categorized as turmoil, internal war and conspiracy.
Turmoil refers to instant upheaval on a massive scale against an established.
Internal war means large-scale, organized violence against a government such as
guerrilla warfare. Conspiracy represents an immediate, deliberate act of
violence against those in power (for example, the assassination of Egyptian
President Anwar sadat). Political conflict may have an impact on business.
Political change may also lead to a more favourable business climate. After the
assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1984, India`s policy became
highly good for international business. Gillette Company, for example, obtained
the Indian government`s permission to set up a razor blade plant after some
eight years of asking. It is important to make a distinction between political risk
and political conflict. Political conflict in a country may lead to unstable
conditions, but those conditions may or may not result from political unrest.
Business must analyze each occurrence of political conflict and assess the
likelihood of its impact on business. The effect of political conflict on business
may be direct or indirect. Direct effects would be violence against the firm
such as the kidnapping of an executive, damage to company property, a labour
strike, and the like. Overall, direct effects are usually temporary and do not
result in huge losses. Indirect effects occur because of changes in government
policy.
In short, political conflict may change a government`s economic perception.
Such change may come from a new attitude on the part of an existing
government or through a new government. Further, the changes may be
motivated by a sincere desire to set right things to divert public attention from
other domestic problems of the country. From the viewpoint of foreign
businesses, it is important to understand the nature of political conflict and the
motivation behind government action. If a change in government policy is for
names sake, it represents less risk to foreign businesses. On the other hand,
when a new policy is expressed through the imposition of certain constraints,
requirements, and controls on foreign businesses, the government must spread
and enforce the new policy. Otherwise, the new policy will be futile without
any actual effects on foreign businesses.
4.1.c. Political Intervention
Political intervention may be defined as a decision on the part of the host
country government that may force a change in the operations, policies, and
strategies of a foreign firm. The intervention may range from some sort of
control to complete take over of the foreign enterprise. The magnitude of
intervention would vary according to the company`s business in the country and
nature of the intervention. There are different forms of intervention:
expropriation, domestication, exchange control, import restrictions, market
control, tax control, price control, and labour problems.
Expropriation
Among the various forms of political intervention, expropriation is the most
severe. It is official seizure of foreign property by a host country whose
intention is to use the seized property in the public interest. Expropriation is
recognized by international law as the right of sovereign states, if the
expropriated firms are given prompt compensation at fair market value, in
convertible currencies. Other terms used interchangeably with expropriation are
nationalization and socialization. Nationalization refers to a transfer of the
entire industry within that country from private to public ownership with no
discrimination as to foreign ownership or local ownership. Socialization, also
referred to as communisation, differs from nationalization in that it is a transfer
of all the industries within the country. Confiscation means expropriation
without compensation. Patterns of expropriation have been differentiated
according to industry, region, type of ownership, technology, asset size, and
politico -economic situation.
Domestication
Domestication is a process of controls and restrictions placed on the foreign
firm, which gradually reduces the control of the owners. Although,
domestication may ultimately lead to expropriation, it offers a compromise to
both parties. The multinational corporation continues to operate in the country
while the host government is able to maintain leverage on the foreign firm
through imposing different controls. Measures of domestication involve several
forms, including gradual transfer of ownership to nationals, promotion of a large
number of nationals to higher levels of management, greater decision-making
powers to nationals, more products produced locally rather than imported, and
specific export regulations to dictate participation in world markets.
Other Forms of intervention
The other forms of intervention include government involvement in foreign
enterprise taking the form of legislative action enacted in the national interest.
Moreover, intervention applies to both domestic and foreign business.
However, in actual practice, certain aspects of the law are irrelevant for
domestic business and are meant to control foreign business. For example, a
clause in a decree restricting repatriation or profits to stockholders outside the
country would be meaningless for native companies.
Exchange control, import restrictions, market control, tax control, price control,
and labour restrictions are the other important forms of intervention by the
government.
Exchange Control
Those countries having difficulties with the balance of trade impose restrictions
on the free use of foreign exchange. For example, import of luxuries from
outside the country is restricted. In the same way, limitations are placed on the
remittances from the country involving hard currency. The exchange control
may also be an effort to encourage domestic industry. Exchange control
measures affect foreign business in two ways. First, profits and capital cannot
be returned to the parent company at will. Second, raw material, machinery,
spare parts and the like cannot be liberally imported for operating purposes.
Most developing countries utilize exchange control to regulate their hard
currency balances. The need for such regulations is one important reason for
restrictions on imports of consumer in most emerging countries. Sometimes
even developed countries may resort to exchange control.
Import Restrictions
Import restrictions are primarily for the support of native industries. Consider a
foreign pharmaceutical company traditionally importing certain compounds and
chemicals from the parent company. If the host country places restrictions on
imports, it may be forced to depend on local sources of supply for these new
materials. This can create two types of problems for the foreign firm. First, the
local product may be of inferior quality, which would affect the quality of the
finished product. Second, locally the product may be in such short supply that
the pharmaceutical manufacturer cannot acquire it in adequate quantity.
Apparently governments legislate import restrictions to all industries and the
difficulties to be faced by a foreign company do not figure in the discussion.
Further, when a country wants to encourage domestic industry as a matter of
industrial policy, import restrictions are adopted with the realization that the
local product will be inferior, at least initially. Strictly from the point of view of
the government, import restrictions seem reasonable, but they ordinarily
jeopardize the functions of foreign business.
Market Control
The government of a country sometimes imposes controls to prevent foreign
companies from competing in certain markets. For example, until recently
Japan had prohibited foreign companies from selling sophisticated
communication equipment to the Japanese government. As a result many
popular companies could not do business with Japan. The Arab boycott of
companies doing business with Israel is an interesting example of market
control.
Tax Control
Government may also impose heavy taxes on foreign business. For example, a
new form of excise tax for which there is no precedent may be placed on the
output of a foreign firm. As a result, problems may arise due to taxes imposed at
variance with the company`s agreement with the government. For example, the
host government may have agreed to give a tax holiday to a company, say for
five years, to establish its operations in the country. Three years later, the
government chooses to reverse its position for some reason, such as a new
government`s refusing to live with the agreement entered into by its predecessor.
Price Control
For the sake of the public interest, countries may resort price controls. Likewise,
countries use price control devices in various ways to improve their economies.
For example, a country may set an official price on essential products such as
drugs, oil, sugar, and cereals. Further, if the product of a particular foreign
company has been singled out for price control without any economic rationale,
such a measure amounts to undesirable intervention in the working of a foreign
firm.
Labour Restrictions
In many nations, labour unions are very strong and have great political
influence. Using its strength, they may be able to talk the government into
passing very restrictive laws that support them at heavy cost to business. For
example, labour unions in Latin America were able to prevent layoffs, plant
shutdowns, and the like, even when business could not afford to meet such
demands.
Foreign firms may find it difficult to accommodate labour
demands transformed into laws. Even where there are no labour laws to comply
with, there may be labour problems. Problems can reach such a level that the
foreign enterprise is left with no other choice but to leave.
4.1.d. Political Perspectives
An international marketer must make a thorough analysis of the political risks
peculiar to a foreign country`s political system as well as risks peculiar to the
company`s industry in foreign settings. The political perspectives of a nation can
be studied using very important factors such as type of government, change in
government`s policy, host country`s attitude toward foreign investment etc. The
importance of these factors varies from country to country, although, it is
desirable to consider them all to ensure a complete knowledge of the political
outlook for doing business in a particular country.
Type of Government
World governments can be realistically grouped in four categories: democratic
republics, communist dictatorships, dictatorships and monarchies. In each
category there is a spectrum of variation. Democratic governments are formed
through regular elections and have different party systems. Communist
governments are rigidly regulated by complete government control of all
business activity. Dictatorships are authoritarian regimes. These governments
are run either by military dictators or by civilian dictators. Monarchy refers to a
government whose ruler derives power through inheritance. A country may
have a monarchy and yet be democratic, such as Great Britain, whose Queen
Elizabeth II is titular head of the country but not head of the British government.
But in many countries, the government is actually run with the monarch as the
head. Saudi Arabia and Jordan have monarchies. Any review of a country`s
political system and its impact on foreign business must remain free of
stereotyped notions. Political philosophies change over time. Thus, what a
government or a party stood for in the 1960s may not hold true in the 1990s.
Obviously, current and emerging perspectives should be analyzed and
understood. Clearly, economic and political trends in a country require close
scrutiny by potential foreign investors and marketers.
Government Stability
A country`s government may change frequently. Such changes may create
difficulties in implementing the agreement because the new government may or
may not subscribe to the commitments made by its predecessor. Thus, its is
important for the international marketers to examine in advance of making
agreements whether the current government will continue to be in office to
implement agreements made with it.
Change in Government Policy
Policy changes may occur even without a change in government. When this
type of environment exists, it makes things so uncertain that foreign business
cannot know what it is getting into. It is important, therefore, for the foreign
business to analyze the mechanism of governmental policy changes.
Attitude Toward Foreign Investment
In response to national attitudes, nations legislate a variety of laws and
regulations to prescribe the role of foreign investment in their economies. It is
appropriate, therefore, to review the host country`s regulations and identify
underlying attitudes and motivations. Indirectly, the success of other
multinational business in a country indicates a favourable attitude.
4.2. Legal Environment of International Marketing
International legal considerations impose restrictions on contracts of sale,
carriage of goods, insurance of payments and of consignments, and the means
for financing transactions. Disputes concerning these matters must be resolved,
ultimately, through the courts. There are complications due to different laws,
interpretations and legal methods applying to commercial litigation within each
nation, and conflicts between the legal systems of specific countries frequently
occur. There is no informal law governing international trade and it is the
application of a nation`s domestic law to international transactions. However,
the domestic commercial laws adhere to rules established via international
conventions. Three bodies of law affect the International marketing. They are
International laws, Host-country laws and Home-country laws.
International laws
International laws are a body of rules and regulations that countries agree to
abide by. International law addresses agreements among countries with regard to
trade, protection of property, and other issues in the political and economic
sphere. International law bodies, although not enforceable, can appropriately
address international law agreements. A variety of international laws regulate
business across national boarders. The agreements of institutions like General
Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), the International Monetary Fund
(IMF) and the World Bank etc are some type of laws, which influence business
in different ways.
GATT (General Agreement of Tariffs and Trade) is a set of norms and
procedures that 92 governments have accepted to create order and predictability
in international trade relations. There are three basic principles in the GATT 1.
nondiscrimination, whereby each member country must treat the trade of all
other member countries equally; 2. open markets, which are encouraged by the
GATT through a prohibition of all forms of protection except customs tariffs,
and 3. fair trade, which prohibits export subsidies on manufactured products and
limits the use of export subsidies on primary products.
The real function of GATT is to enable countries to defend national economic
interests not against the national interests of other countries but against sectional
interests within their own and other countries. Thus, GATT is formally an
international agreement among countries, but functionally it is part of the
domestic legal order of each country. It serves as a defense that governments
can refer to in defending themselves against pressure groups. The GATT
regulations are particularly relevant for marketers since they deal with trade
restrictions and barriers that affect market potential.
One of the most important influence on business affairs is the actions of
regulatory agencies (IEOs) that address such matters as price control, valuation
of imports and exports, trade practices, labeling, food and drug regulations,
employment conditions, collective bargaining, advertising content, competitive
practices, and so on. The influence of regulatory agencies is pervasive, and an
understanding of how they operate is essential to protecting business interests
and the advancing of new programs.
In addition to these institutions, the other areas covered by international law and
the agencies that administer international laws are:
Protection of Property
Property here refers to patents, trademarks, and the like. Companies spend
millions of dollars to build up and establish trademarks and brand names. If a
foreign firm steals a company`s established brand name and uses it on a locally
manufactured product, the interests of the established company could be hurt. It
would mean not only loosing potential markets, but also gaining a bad name for
poor performance. For the protection of property out side the home country,
there are international conventions and agreements. The most important among
them are the International Bureau for the Protection of Industrial Property, the
Inter ? American Convention, UN Treaties and Conventions, UN Guidelines on
Consumer Protection, Regional Laws and Arbitration. The United Nations has
established a number of autonomous bodies and agencies to encourage world
wide economic cooperation and prosperity. Among them, the World Health
Organisation (WHO), International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO),
International Telecommunications Union (ITU), Universal Postal Union (UPI),
International Labour Organisation (ILO), International Telecommunications
Satellite Consortium (INTELSAT), and International Standards Organisation
(ISO) are the most important. ISO is a specialised UN agency, which directly
related to marketing. ISO promotes standardization of different products and
processes. The ultimate purpose is to encourage world trade and business
without hindrance from design/style/feature variations among nations.
Regional Laws pertain to specific areas involving a group of countries tied
together through some kind of regional economic cooperation (e.g. European
Community, NAFTA etc.).
Arbitration is a method by which a multinational firm can resolve a conflict
regarding the interpretation of the contractual terms with the host country
government; a native firm; or an international firm belonging to a third country
in a foreign environment. Arbitration can be defined as a process of settling
disputes by referring the matter to a disinterested party for a review of the merits
of the case and for a judgment. There are a number of institutions for arbitration
like The International Center for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID),
The Inter-American Commercial Arbitration Commission, The International
Chamber of Commerce (ICC), and The American Arbitration Association
(AAA) etc.
Host-country laws
Host- country laws are laws of the different countries where the company
operates. The legal system in the host country could differ substantially from
that of the company`s home country. Hence, countries enact laws to control
foreign business in their economies. Some of the laws are discriminatory against
foreign goods and businesses. Laws are sometimes designed to allow reciprocity
with on good trading terms with the country. In some instances, extremely
favourable laws may be passed to attract foreign investment. In general, the
legal environment of a country for foreign commerce depends on that country`s
economic objectives and its obligations and position in relation to worldwide
commerce. In some situations, the laws may have political aims as well. For
example, a government may decide to restrict all imports in order to promote a
national feeling among the people and their political supporters. On the other
hand, political considerations may require a country to liberalize its laws
pertaining to foreign business.
Laws pertaining to entry into foreign markets take several forms including
tariffs, antidumping laws, export/import licensing, investment regulations, legal
incentives, and restrictive trading laws.
Tariffs
It is a tax that a government levies on exports and imports. If the tax is imposed
on exports, it is called export duty or customs duty. On the other hand, subsidy
is a reverse tariff. Many countries provide a subsidy for local manufacturers for
export.
Antidumping Laws
Dumping is a type of pricing strategy for selling products in foreign markets
below cost, or below the price charged to domestic consumers. Dumping is
practiced to capture a foreign market and to damage rival foreign national
enterprises. Host government`s often pass laws against dumping with a view to
protect local industries. In international business, dumping inhibit the orderly
development of national industry. From this point, attacks on rival markets by
dumping amount to destructive as well as unscrupulous means of securing
market position. It is for this reason that countries legislate anti-dumping laws.
Export Import Licensing
Many countries have laws on the books that require exporters and importers to
obtain licenses before engaging in trade across national boundaries. This may be
for statistical records on exports or to ensure that certain goods are not exported
to certain countries. Import licensing is enforced to control the unnecessary
purchase of goods from other countries.
Foreign Investment Regulations
One of the primary aims of laws and regulations on foreign investment is to
limit the influence of multinational corporations. It may be also for achieving a
pattern of foreign investment that contributes most effectively to the realization
of the host country`s objectives.
Legal Incentives
Governments to attract foreign investments in most of the developing countries
provide investment incentives.
Restrictive Trading Laws
Many governments adopt measures that restrict imports or artificially stimulate
exports. Such laws are refereed as non-tariff barriers in international trade. The
major types of non tariff barriers are government participation in trade ?
subsidies, government procurement, and state trading, or customs and entry
procedures ? documentation, health and safety regulations, or standards ?
product standards, packaging, specific limitations, or quotas - exchange controls,
import restraints and licensing, import charges, or credit restrictions for imports,
special duties etc.
Home ?country laws
Home-country laws are the laws of the company`s home country. Home country
laws follow the company all over the world. For example U.S. companies must
abide by all three types of law. They must abide by international trade laws and
agreements, such as World Trade Organisation (WTO) trade regulations; they
must abide by host ?country laws governing every aspect of the company`s
operations; and they must abide by home-country laws, such as anti-trust
regulations and corrupt practices regulations.
Legal Systems
The three important types of legal systems are: common law, civil codes (code
law) and Islamic law.
Common Law
Common law is based on prior court rulings. It applies in English speaking
countries and many other countries formerly colonised by Britain.
Code Law (Civil Law)
Code law has written rules that specify what constitutes legal behaviour. It has
its root in Roman law. This law is shared by most of the countries of the world,
including Latin America, China, Taiwan, Japan and others.
Islamic Law
Islamic law is a system of law based on the interpretation of the Koran, Islam`s
holy book. Islamic law establishes rules for business practices that can affect
firm operation s. Islamic law affect a firm`s operations in North Africa, the
Middle East, Pakistan and Malaysia, among others.
Conflict and Jurisdiction of Laws
The export of goods from one country to another necessarily involves
transactions that are subject to the laws of different nations, and these laws
might conflict. Owing to the different legal systems across nations, there is a
need to establish jurisdiction in international legal disputes. There is no
international body to make rules and oversee their fulfillment by different
parties. Thus, a business incorporated in a particular country carries the burden
of complying with the laws of both the incorporating nation and the host
country. Often problems occur when laws of more than one country must be
respected and these laws have different values. If a conflict occurs between two
contracting parties, the question arises as to which nation`s laws should be used
to resolve the problem. If the contract contains a jurisdiction clause stipulated
which country`s legal system should be used to settle disputes, the matter can be
settled accordingly. However, if the parties have failed to include a jurisdiction
clause in this contract, there are 2 alternatives. They are: settle the dispute by
following the laws of the country where the agreement was made or resolve the
dispute by applying the laws of the country where the contract has to be
fulfilled.
If these two alternatives were likely to result in different conclusions, each party
naturally would like to settle the issue according to the legal system that favours
its position. Obviously, this may lead to legal actions, presumably in different
courts, perhaps in different countries. An alternative to legal action is arbitration.
For example, the Bhopal tragedy in which over 2000 people died from a gas
leakage accident in a Union Carbide plant in India. The Indian government
would like the question of compensation to survivors settled in the U.S. courts,
because the U.S. courts have been more liberal than the Indian courts in granting
compensations to victims in such cases. However, the Union Carbide was
interested to settle the case in Indian courts, in the hope that their liability would
be reduced substantially.
4.3. Impact of Environment on International Marketing Decisions
Marketing environment can be internal or external. The most important internal
factors influencing the decisions of a company are the objectives, the
organisational structure, the internal power relationship, and the characteristics
of human resources etc. The external environment again is divided into
microenvironment and macro environment. Microenvironment consists of the
forces close to the company that affects its ability to serve its customers.
Marketing environment can also be classified into controllable and
uncontrollable. Marketing policies and strategies framed by the company are
controllable forces whereas uncontrollable forces are those forces, which are
beyond the control of the company. Uncontrollables are classified into domestic
uncontrollables and foreign uncontrollables. Political forces, legal structure and
economic climate are uncontrollables, which affect foreign business. The most
important among them are geographical, economic, socio-cultural, political and
legal environment.
Although marketing principles are universally applicable, the environment
within which the marketer must implement marketing plans can change
dramatically from country to country. Most problems encountered by the foreign
marketer result from the strangeness of the environment within which marketing
programmes are to be implemented. An international marketer must have the
capability to adapt to the changing environment. To adapt marketing to foreign
markets, marketers must be able to interpret effectively the influence and impact
of each of the environmental elements on the marketing plan for each foreign
market in which they hope to do business. In dealing with unfamiliar markets,
marketers must be aware of the frames of reference they are using in making
their decisions of a market. The key to successful international marketing is
adaptation to the environmental differences from one market to another.
Adaptation is a conscious effort on the part of the international marketer to
anticipate the influences of both the foreign and domestic environments on a
marketing mix, and then to adjust the marketing mix to minimize the effects.
Geography of country is a vital factor affecting the marketing decision of a
marketer. An international marketer must adapt to the climate and topographical
differences. Location, place, movement, and region are all important factors in
international marketing. There are geographical influences on the development
of the economy and society of a country. Climate and topography demands
product adaptation.
Changes in the demographic environment will also have its impact on the
international marketing decisions. Data on demographic characteristics help
marketers to produce goods according to the specific requirements of
population. The population in different countries differs in their achieved
educational level and this will have its implications on the demand. Changes in
household patterns also change the demand for products. Hence an international
marketer has to adapt his production to suit the requirements of different age
groups.
The international marketer needs to understand the impact of the economic
environment on social development. Economic environment does affect
international marketing decisions. The impact of the U.S. economic environment
on international business activity is very popular. For example, U.S. firms enter
the international market during a recession (low economic activity) to sustain
their business only to withdraw as the domestic scene improves. The economic
environment sets the limit of activity in different sectors of the economy. For
example, when the economy is booming, there will be plenty of jobs, consumers
will be optimistic, and the international marketer will have more opportunities in
the market place. But when an economy is down, unemployment mar rise,
interest rates may go up, sales could be more difficult and the international
marketer`s decisions will take a different shape.
Cultural differences have impact on marketing decisions affecting product,
price, distribution and promotion. To conduct business successfully across
national boundaries, marketers must adapt themselves to local cultures. Culture
is another important factor affecting marketing and an international marketer
must alter business approaches to individual cultures. Culture has both a
pervasive and changing influence on each national market environment.
International marketers must recognize the influence of culture and must
respond to it.
The political situation of a country may or may not be conducive to profitable
business. Political problems related to foreign business occur mainly because of
political sovereignty. Such troubles may lead a country to intervene politically
in the affairs of a foreign firm. Intervention may range from some form of
control to complete takeover.
The legal environment in the home country, the environment in the host country,
and the laws and agreements governing relationship among nations are all-
important to the international marketer. These laws can control exports and
imports both directly and indirectly, and can also regulate the international
business behavior of firms. To avoid the problems that can result from changes
in the political and legal environment, the international marketer must anticipate
changes and develop strategies for coping with them.
Company`s can passively accept the marketing environment as an
uncontrollable element to which they must adapt. They must avoid threats and
take advantage of opportunities as they arise. Many companies view the
marketing environment as an uncontrollable element to which they must adapt.
They analyse the environmental forces and design strategies that will help the
company avoid the threats and take advantage of the opportunities the
environment provides.
Some other companies take an environmental management perspective and
these firms will try to influence the publics and forces to their advantage. Such
companies influence legislation affecting their industries. They run
advertisements and editorials to shape public opinion to favour them. They file
complaints with regulators to keep competitors in line, and they form contractual
agreements to better control their distribution channels. Often companies can
find positive ways to overcome uncontrollable environmental constraints.
Summary
The political situation of a country may or may not be conducive to profitable
business. Political problems related to foreign business occur mainly because of
political sovereignty. Such troubles may lead a country to intervene politically
in the affairs of a foreign firm. Intervention may range from some form of
control to complete takeover.
The legal environment in the home country, the environment in the host country,
and the laws and agreements governing relationship among nations are all-
important to the international marketer. These laws can control exports and
imports both directly and indirectly, and can also regulate the international
business behavior of firms. To avoid the problems that can result from changes
in the political and legal environment, the international marketer must anticipate
changes and develop strategies for coping with them.
An international marketer should be familiar with host country laws pertaining
to competition, price setting, distribution arrangements, product liability, patents
and trade marks, and advertising as there are differences among countries
regarding these laws.
Self-Assessment Questions (SAQs)
1. Why is it necessary for international marketers to study political
environment? How can foreign politics affect marketing decision?
Political environment consists of laws, agencies, and groups that limit
marketing actions. The political environment has undergone changes that
affect marketing worldwide. They may increase legislation regulating
business. Political interventions like expropriation, domestication and other
forms of intervention ?exchange control, import restrictions, market control
etc. are all-important factors affecting the international marketing. The
political environment of countries may be characterized by instability and
uncertainty. Political upheavals may be conflicts between countries in a
particular region. Unstable political environment will result in political risks
to a foreign business. Political risks may also arise due to violence,
expropriation, restriction of operations, and restrictions on repatriation of
capital and remittances of profits. Politics may affect international marketing
in various ways.
2. Describe how international law, home country law, and host country law
affect international marketing?
International companies are subject to different sets of laws. They are laws
of the host country, laws of the home country and international laws.
International laws are laws of an international body, such as the WTO.
Under this complex context, jurisdiction often becomes a problem. As such
it is advisable that firms entering into agreements agree upon jurisdiction
and on the procedure needed for conflict resolution.
3. Define the terms dumping and arbitration. Why do countries legislate
antidumping laws?
Dumping is selling products in foreign markets at a price below the domestic
price. Arbitration is the process of settling disputes by referring the matter to a
disinterested party for a judgment. Antidumping laws are passed against
dumping with a view to protect local industries.
Key terms
Arbitration
Code law
Common law
Communism
Confiscation
Domestication
Expropriation
Foreign Corrupt Practices Act
Home country laws
Home country laws
Islamic law
Jurisdiction
Political risk
Review Questions
1. Describe the environmental forces that affect the company`s ability to serve
its customers?
2. Describe the importance geography in understanding the international
markets?
3. Examine the effects of topography and climate on products, population,
transportation, and economic growth?
4. Explain how changes in the demographic environments affect marketing
decisions?
5. Examine the effects of topography and climate on products, population,
transportation, and economic growth?
6. Explain how changes in the demographic environments affect marketing
decisions?
7. That are the key methods for tracking and identifying opportunities in the
macro environment?
8. Explain how changes in Socio -cultural environments affect marketing
decisions?
9. Why is it necessary for international marketers to study political
environment? How can foreign politics affect marketing decision?
10. Define the terms dumping and arbitration. Why do countries legislate
antidumping laws?
Unit III
PRODUCT DECISIONS
The learning objectives from this lesson are as follows:
1. To understand the basic concept of a product
2. How to position the product in the market.
3. Product design considerations
4. Strategic alternatives towards the product
5. New product in global marketing
6. To understand the strategic significance of Branding
7. To understand the significance of Packaging
8. To understand the significance of Sales related Services
PRODUCTS: DEFFINITION AND CALSSIFICATION
What is a product?
On the surface, this seems like a simple question with an obvious answer.
A product can be defined in terms of its tangible physical attributes ? such as
weight,
dimensions, and
materials,
thus, an automobile could be defined as 3,000 kgs of metal or plastic, measuring
190 long, 75 wide, and 59 high. However, any description limited to physical
attributes gives an incomplete account of the benefits a product provides. At a
minimum, car buyers expect an automobile to provide safe, comfortable
transportation, which derives from physical features such as air bags and
adjustable seats. However, marketers cannot ignore status, mystique, and other
intangible product attributes that a particular model of automobile may provide.
Indeed, major segments of the auto market are developed around these
intangible attributes.
A product, can be defined as a collection of physical, psychological, service, and
symbolic attributes that collectively yield satisfaction. Or benefits, to a buyer or
user.
A number of frameworks for classifying products have been developed. A
frequently used classification is based on users and distinguishes between
consumer and industrial goods. Both types of goods, in turn, can be further
classified on the basis of other criteria, such as how they are purchased
(convenience, preference, shopping, and specialty goods) and their life span
(durable, nondurable, and disposable). These and other classification
frameworks developed for domestic marketing are fully applicable to global
marketing.
PRODUCTS: LOCAL, NATIONAL, INTERNATIONAL, AND GLOBAL
Many companies find that, as a result of expanding existing businesses or
acquiring a new business, they have products for sale in a single national
market. For example, Kraft Foods at one found itself in the chewing gum
business in France, the ice cream business in Brazil, and the pasta business in
Italy. Although each of these unrelated businesses was, in isolation, quite
profitable, the scale of each was too small to justify heavy expenditures on
R&D, let alone marketing, production, and financial management form
international bead quarters, an important question regarding any product is
whether it has the potential for expansion into other markets. The answer will
depend on the company`s goals and objectives and on perceptions of
opportunity.
Managers run the risk of committing two types of errors regarding product
decisions in global marketing.
One error is to fall victim to the not invented here (NIH) syndrome, ignoring
product decisions made by subsidiary or affiliate managers. Managers who
behave in this way are essentially abandoning any effort to leverage product
decision policy on all affiliate companies on the assumption that what is right
for customers in the home market must also be right for customers everywhere.
The four product categories in the local-to-global continuum ?
local,
national,
international, and
global
are described in the following sections.
1. Local products
A local product is available in a portion of a national market. In the United
States, the term regional product is synonymous with local product. These
products may be new products that a company is introducing using a rollout
strategy or a product that is distributed exclusively in that region. Originally,
cape Cod Potato Chips was a local product in the New England market. The
company was later purchased by Frito-Lay and distribution was expanded to
other regions of the United States.
2. National Products
A national product is one that, in the context of a particular company, is offered
in a single national market. Sometimes national products appear when a global
company caters to the needs and preferences of particular country markets. For
example, Coca-Cola developed a no carbonated, ginseng-flavored beverage for
sale only in Japan and a yellow, carbonated flavored drink called Pasturing to
compete with Peru`s favorite soft drink, Inca Cola. After years of failing to
dislodge Inca Cola, Coke followed the old strategic maxim. If you can`t beat
them, buy them, and acquired Inca Cola.
Similarly, Sony and other Japanese consumer electronics companies produce a
variety of products that are not sold outside of Japan. The reason: Japanese
consumers have a seemingly insatiable appetite for electronic gadgets.
3. International Products
International products are offered in multinational, regional markets. The classic
international product is the Euro product, offered throughout Europe but not in
the rest of the world. Renault was for many years a Euro product When Renault
entered the Brazilian market, it became a multiregional company. Most recently,
Renault invested, in Nissan and has taken control of the company. The
combination of Renault in Europe: and Latin America, and Nissan in Asia, the
Americas, Europe, the Middle East and! Africa, has catapulted Renault from a
multiregional to a global position. Renault is an example of how a company can
move overnight through investment or acquisition from an international to a
global position.
4. Global Products and Global Brands
Global products are offered in global markets. A truly global product is offered
in the Triad, in every world region, and in counties at every stage of
development. Some global products were designed to meet the needs of a global
market; others were designed to meet the needs of a national market but also,
happily, meet the needs of a global market.
Note that a product is not a brand.
For example, portable personal sound systems or personal stereos are a category
of global product; Sony is a global brand. A global brand, like a national or
international brand, is a symbol about which customers have beliefs or
perceptions. Many companies, including Sony, make personal stereos. Sony
created the category more than 10 years ago, when it introduced the Walkman. It
is important to understand that marketers must create global brands; a global
brand name can be used as an umbrella for introducing new products. Although
Sony, as noted previously, markets a number of local products, the company
also has a stellar track record both as a global brand and "a manufacturer of
global products.
The qualities of a global brand: It has the same name as is the case for Coke,
Sony, BMW, Harley-Davidson, and so on; or it may be the same meaning in
different languages, as is true of Unilever`s Snuggle (United States) fabric
softener, which carries a cuddly teddy bear logo and the local translation of a
meaning identical or similar to the meaning of snuggle in American English. A
global brand has a similar image, similar positioning, and is guided by the same
strategic principles. However, the marketing mix for a global brand may vary
from country to country. That means that the product, price, promotion, and
place (channels of distribution) may vary from country to country. Indeed, if one
tracks the examples-Marlboro, Coke, Sony, Mercedes, and Avon-one will
indeed find that the marketing mix for these products varies from country to
country.
The Mercedes, which is exclusively a luxury car in the United States, is also a
strong competitor in the taxi market in Europe. Avon, which is a premium-
priced and packaged cosmetic line in Japan, is popularly priced in the rest of the
world. In spite of these variations in marketing mix, each of these products is a
world or global brand.
Global product differs from a global brand in one important respect: It does not
carry the same name and image from country to country. Like the global brand,
however, it is guided by the same strategic principles, is similarly positioned,
and may have a marketing mix that varies from country to country. Whenever a
company finds itself with global products, it faces an issue: Should the global
product be turned into a global brand? This requires that the name and image of
the product be standardized. The two biggest examples of this move were the
shift from Standard Oil's many different local brands to Exxon, and Nissan's
decision to drop the Datsun marque in the United States and adopt various
model names for Nissan's worldwide product line.
When an industry globalizes, companies are under pressure to develop global
products. A major driver for the globalization of products is the cost of product
R&D. As competition intensifies, companies discover that they can reduce the
cost of R&D for a product by developing a global product design. Even products
such as automobiles, which must meet national safety and pollution standards,
are under pressure to become global: With a global product, companies can offer
an adaptation of a global design instead of a unique national design in each
country.
Coke is arguably the quintessential global product and global brand. Coke's
positioning and strategy are the same in all countries; it projects a global image
of fun, good times, and enjoyment. Coke is "the real thing." There is only one
Coke. It is unique. It is a brilliant example of marketing differentiation. The
essence of discrimination is to show the difference between your products and
other competing products and services)
This positioning is a considerable accomplishment when you consider the fact
that Coke-is a low/no-tech product. It is flavored, carbonated, sweetened water
in a plastic, glass, or metal container. The company's strategy is to make sure
that the product is within arm's reach of desire. However, the marketing mix for
Coke varies. The product itself is adapted to suit local tastes; for example, Coke
increases the sweetness of its beverages in the Middle East, where customers
prefer a sweeter drink. Also, prices may vary to suit local competitive
conditions, and the channels of distribution may differ. However, the basic,
underlying, strategic principles that guide the management of the brand are the
same worldwide. Only an ideologue would insist that a global product couldn`t
be adapted to meet local preferences; certainly, no company building a global
brand needs to limit itself to absolute marketing mix uniformity. The issue is not
exact uniformity but rather offering essentially the same value.
Global marketers should systematically identify and assess opportunities for
developing global brands. Creating a global brand requires a different type of
marketing effort-including up-front creative vision than that required to create
one or more national brands. On the other hand, the ongoing effort to maintain
brand awareness is less for a leading global brand than it is for a collection of
local brands. What criteria do marketers use to decide whether to establish
global brands? One expert has argued that the decision must be "determined by
bottom-up consumer-driven considerations, not by top-down manufacturer-
driven business convenience` A major determinant of success will be whether
the marketing effort is starting from scratch with a "blank slate, or whether the
task is to reposition or rename an existing local brand in an attempt to create a
global brand. Starting with a blank slate is vastly easier-than repositioning
existing brands.
Activity:1
Differentiate between Global Products and Brands. List five Global Products
and Brands.
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PRODUCT POSITIONING
Product positioning is a communications strategy based on the notion of mental
"space" positioning refers to the act of locating a brand in customers' minds over
and against other products in terms of product attributes and benefits that the
brand does and does not offer. The word positioning, first formally used in 1969
by Ries and Trout in an article that appeared in Industrial Marketing, describes a
strategy for "staking out turf' or" filling a slot" in the minds of target customers.
Several general strategies have been suggested for positioning products:
positioning by attribute or benefit, quality/price, use or application, and
use/user? Two additional strategies, high-tech and high-touch, have been
suggested for global products.
1. ATTRIBUTE OR BENEFIT
A frequently used positioning strategy exploits a particular product attribute,
benefit, or feature. In global marketing, the fact that a product is imported can
itself represent a benefit positioning. Economy, reliability, and durability are
other frequently used attribute/benefit positions. Volvo automobiles are known
for solid construction that offers safety in the event of a crash. In the ongoing
credit card wars, VISA's advertising focuses on the benefit of worldwide
merchant acceptance.
2. QUALITY/PRICE
This strategy can be thought of in terms of a continuum from high
fashion/quality and 'nigh price to good value (rather than low quality) at a low
price.The American Express Card, for example, has traditionally been
positioned as an upscale card whose prestige justifies higher annual fees than
VISA or MasterCard. The Discover card is at the other end of the continuum.
Discover`s value position results from no annual fee and a cash rebate to
cardholders each year.
3. USE/USER
Positioning can also be achieved by describing how a product is used or
associating a product with a user or class of users the same way in every market.
For example, Benetton user s the same positioning for it`s clothing when it
targets the global youth market. Marlboro`s extraordinary success as a global
brand is due in part to the product`s association with cowboys--the archetypal
symbol of rugged independence, freedom, space, and Americana--and
transformation advertising that targets urban smokers.
Why choose Marlboro instead of another brand? Smoking Marlboro is a way of
getting in touch with a powerful urge to be free and independent. Lack of
physical space may be a reflection of the Marlboro user`s own sense of macho-
ness or a symbol of freedom and
Independence. The message is reinforced in advertising with an image carefully
calculated to appeal to the universal human desire for those things and urges
smokers to join that rugged, independent cowboy in the Old West! The
advertising succeeds because it is very well done and, evidently, addresses a
deep, powerful need that is found around the globe, not surprisingly, Marlboro is
the most popular cigarette brand in the former Soviet Union.
4. HIGH-TECH POSITIONING
Personal computers, video and stereo equipment, and automobiles are product
categories for which high-tech positioning has proven effective. Such products
are frequently purchased on the basis of physical product features, although
image may also be important. Buyers typically already possess or wish to
acquire considerable technical information. High-tech products may be divided
into three categories technical products, special interest products, and
demonstrable products.
Computers, chemicals, tires, and financial services are technical products in the
sense that buyers have specialized needs, require a great deal of product
information, and share a common language. Computer buyers in Russia and the
United States are equally knowledgeable about Pentium microprocessors, hard
drives, and random access memory (RAM) requirements. Marketing
communications for high-tech products should be in-formative and emphasize
features.
Special-interest products also are characterized by a shared experience and high
involvement among users, although they are less technical and mote leisure or
recreation oriented. Again, the common language and symbols associated with
such products can transcend language and cultural barriers. Fuji bicycles, Adidas
and Nike sports equipment, Canon cameras, and Sega video game players are
examples of successful global special-interest products.
5. HIGH-TOUCH POSITIONING
Marketing of high-touch products requires less emphasis on specialized
information and more emphasis on image. Like high-tech products, however,
high-touch categories are highly involving for consumers. Buyers of high-touch
products also share a common language and set of symbols relating to themes of
wealth, materialism, and romance. There are three categories of high-touch
products: products that solve a common problem, 'global village products, and
products with a universal theme. At the other end of the price spectrum from
high-tech, high-touch products that can solve a problem often provide benefits
linked to "life's little moments." Ads that show friends talking over a cup of
coffee in a cafe or quenching thirst with a soft drink during a day at the beach
put the product at the center of everyday life and communicate the benefit
offered in a way that is understood worldwide. Upscale fragrances and designer
fashions are examples of products whose positioning is strongly cosmopolitan in
nature. Fragrances and fashions have traveled as a result of growing worldwide
interest in high-quality, highly visible, high-priced products that often 'enhance
social status.
Products may have a global appeal by virtue of their country of origin. The
Americanness of Levi's, Marlboro, McDonald's, and Harley-Davidson enhances
their appeal to cosmopolitans around the world and offers opportunities for
benefit positioning. In consumer electronics, Sony is a name synonymous with
vaunted Japanese quality; in automobiles, Mercedes is the embodiment of
legendary German engineering.
Some products can be positioned in more than one way, within either the high-
tech or high-touch poles of the continuum. A sophisticated camera, for example,
could simultaneously be classified as technical and special interest. Other
products may be positioned in a bipolar fashion, that is, as both high-tech and
high-touch. For example, Bang & Olufsen consumer electronics product by
virtue of their design elegance, are perceived as both high-tech and high-touch.
Activity: 2
Give examples of each type of positioning for both National and Global
Products .
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PRODUCT DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS
Product design is a key factor in determining success in global marketing.
Should a company adapt product design for various national markets or offer a
single design to the global market? In some instances, making a design change
may increase sales. However, the benefits of such potential sales increases must
be weighed against the cost of changing a product's design and testing it in the
market. Global marketers need to consider four factors when making product
design decisions: preferences, cost, laws and regulations, and compatibility.
1. PREFERENCES
There are marked and important differences in preferences around the world
factors such as color and taste. Marketers who ignore preferences do so at their
own peril. In the 1960s, for example, Italy's Olivetti Corporation had gained
considerable distinction in Europe for its award-winning modern consumer
typewriter designs; Olivetti typewriters had been displayed at the Museum of
Modern Art in New York City. Although critically acclaimed, Olivetti's designs
did not enjoy commercial success in the United States. The U.S. consumer
wanted a heavy, bulky typewriter that was ugly by modern European design
standards. American consumers considered bulk and weight prima facie
evidence of quality, and Olivetti was, therefore, forced to adapt its award-
winning design in the United States.
Sometimes, a product design that is successful in one world region does meet
with success in the rest of the world. BMW and Mercedes dominate the luxury
car market in Europe and are strong competitors in the rest of the world, with
exactly the same design. In effect, these companies have a world design. The
other global luxury car manufacturers are Japanese, and they have expressed
their flattery and appreciation for the appeal of the BMW and Mercedes look by
styling cars that are influenced by the BMW and Mercedes line and design
philosophy. If imitation is the most sincere form of flattery, BMW and Mercedes
have been honored by their competition.
2. COST
In approaching the issue of product design, company managers must consider
cost factors broadly. Of course, the actual cost of producing the product will
create a cost floor. Other design-related cost whether incurred by the
manufacturer or the end user-must also be consider. It is found out that the cost
of repair services varies around the world and has an impact on product design.
3. LAWS AND REGULATIONS
Compliance with laws and regulations in different countries ahs a direct impact
on product design decisions, frequently leading to product design adaptations
that increase costs. This may be seen especially clearly in Europe, where one
impetus for the creation of the single market was to dismantle regulatory and
legal barriers-particularly in the areas of technical standards and health and
safety standards-that prevented pan-European sales of standardized products. In
the food industry, for example, there were 200 legal and regulatory barriers to
cross-border trade within the European Union (EU) in 10 food categories.
Among these were prohibitions or-taxes on products with certain ingredients,
and different packaging and labeling laws. Experts predict that the removal of
such barriers will reduce the need to adapt product designs and will result in the
creation of standardized Euro-products.
4. COMPATIBILITY
The last product design issue that must be addressed by company managers is
product compatibility with the environment in which it is used. A simple thing
such as failing to translate the user's manual into various languages can hurt
sales of American-made: home appliances built in America outside the United
States. Also, electrical systems range from 50 to 230 volts and from 50 to 60
cycles. This means that the design of any product powered by electricity must be
compatible with the power system in the country of use.
Manufacturers of televisions and video equipment find that the world is a very
in-compatible place for reasons besides those related to electricity. Three
different TV broadcast and video systems are found in the world today: the U.S.
NTSC system, the French SECAM system, and the German PAL system.
Companies that are targeting global markets design multi system TVs and VCRs
that allow users to simply flip a witch for proper operation with any system.
Companies that are not aiming for the global market design products that
comply with a single type of technical requirements.
Measuring systems do not demand compatibility, but the absence of
compatibility in measuring systems can create product resistance. The lack of
compatibility is a particular danger for the United States, which is the only
nonmetric country in the world. Products calibrated in inches and pounds are at
a competitive disadvantage in metric markets. When companies integrate their
worldwide manufacturing and design activity, the metric-English measuring
system conflict requires expensive conversion and harmonization efforts.
5. LABELING AND INSTRUCTIONS
Product labeling and instructions must comply with national law and regulation.
For example, there are very precise labeling requirements for prescription drugs
and poisons. In addition, however, labeling can provide valuable consumer
information on nutrition, for example. Finally, many products require operating
and installation instructions.
In which languages should labeling and instructions be printed? One approach to
this issue is to print labels and instructions in languages that are used in all of the
"major markets for the product. The use of multiple languages on labels and
instructions simplifies inventory control: The same packaging can be used for
multiple markets. The savings from simplicity must be weighed against the cost
of longer instruction booklet and more space on labels for information.
Activity: 3
Give examples of each attributes discussed above for designing a Global
Product .
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GEOGRAPHIC EXPANSION ? STRATEGIC ALTERNATIVES
Companies can grow in three different ways. The traditional methods of market
expansion-further penetration of existing markets to increase market share and
extension of the product line into new-product market areas in a single national
market are both available in domestic operations. In addition, a company can
expand by extending its existing operations into new countries and areas of the
world. The latter method, geographic expansion, is one of the major
opportunities of global marketing. To pursue geographic expansion effectively,
a framework for considering alternatives is required. When a company has a
product/market base, it can select from five strategic alternatives to extend this
base into other geographic markets, or it can create a new product designed for
global markets
STRATEGY 1. PRODUCT/COMMUNICATION EXTENSION (DUAL
EXTENSION)
Many companies employ product/communication extension as a strategy for
pursuing opportunities outside the home market. Under the right conditions, this
is the easiest product marketing strategy and, in many instances, the most
profitable one as well. Companies pursuing this strategy sell exactly the same
product, with the same advertising and promotional appeals as used in the home
country, in some or all world-market countries or segments.
The critical difference is one of execution and mind-set. In the stage 2
companies, the dual extension strategy grows out of an ethnocentric orientation;
the stage 2 companies are making the assumption that all markets are alike. A
company in stage 4 or 5 does not make such as assumptions; the company's
geocentric orientation allows it to thorough understand its markets and
consciously take advantage of similarities in world markets.
The product/ communication extension strategy has an enormous appeal to
global companies because of the cost savings associated with this approach. The
two most obvious sources of savings are manufacturing economies of scale and
elimination of duplicate product R&D costs. Also important are the substantial
economies associated with standardization of marketing communications. For a
company with worldwide operations, the cost of preparing separate print and TV
ads for each market can be enormous. Although these cost savings are
important, they should not distract executives Item the more important objective
of maximum profit performance, which may require the use of an adaptation or
invention strategy. As we have seen, product extension, in spite of its immediate
cost savings, may in fact result in market failure.
STRATEGY 2: PRODUT EXTENSION/COMMUNICATION ADAPTATION
When a product fills a different need, appeals to a different segment, or serves a
different function under conditions of use that are the same or similar to those in
the domestic market, the only adjustment that may be required is in marketing
communications. Bicycles and motor scooters are examples of products that
have been marketed with this approach. They satisfy recreational needs in the
United States but serve as basic or urban transportation in many other countries.
Similarly, outboard marine motors are usually sold to a recreation market in the
high-income countries, whereas the same motors in lower-income countries are
mainly sold to fishing and transportation fleets. Another example is the U.S.
farm machinery company that decided to market its U.S. line of home lawn and
garden power equipment in: less developed countries (LDCs) as agricultural
implements. The equipment was ideally suited to the needs of farmers in many
LDCs. Equally important was the lower price almost a third less than competing
equipment especially designed for small acreage farming, and offered for sale by
competing foreign manufacturers.
As these examples show, the product extension/communication adaptation
strategy either design or by accident-results in product transformation. The same
physical product ends u serving a different function or use than that for which it
was originally designed or created.
The appeal of the product extension/communication adaptation strategy is its
relative y low cost of implementation. Because the product in this strategy is
unchanged" R&D, tooling, manufacturing setup, and inventory costs associated
with additions to the product line are avoided. The only costs of this approach
are hi identifying different product functions and revising marketing
communications (including advertising, sales promotion, and point of-sale
material) around the newly identified function.
STRATEGY
3:
PRODUCT
ADAPTATION/COMMUNICATION
EXTENSION
A third approach to global product planning is to extend, without change, the
basic home-market communications strategy while adapting the product to local
use or preference conditions. Note that this strategy (and the one that follows)
may be utilized by both stage 3 and stage 4 companies. The critical difference is,
as noted earlier, one of execution and mind-set. In the stage 3 company, the
product adaptation strategy grows out of a polycentric orientation; the stage 3
company assumes that all` markets are different. By contrast, the geocentric
orientation of managers and executives in a Stage 4 global company has
sensitized them to actual, rather than assumed, differences between markets.
Exxon adheres to this third strategy: It adapts its gasoline formulations to meet
the weather conditions prevailing in different markets while extending the basic
communications appeal, "Put a tiger in your tank," without change.
There are many other examples of products that have been adjusted to perform
the same function around the globe under different environmental conditions.
Soap and detergent manufacturers have adjusted their product formulations to
meet local water and washing equipment conditions with no change in their
basic communications approach. Household appliances have been scaled to sizes
appropriate to different use environments, and clothing has been adapted to meet
fashion criteria. Also, food products, by virtue of their potentially high degree of
environmental sensitivity, are often adapted.
STRATEGY 4: DUAL ADAPTATION
Sometimes, when comparing a new geographic market to the home market,
marketers discover that environmental conditions or consumer preferences
differ; the same may be true of the function a product serves or consumer
receptivity to advertising appeals. In essence, this is a combination of the market
conditions of strategies 2 and 3. In such a situation, stage 4/5 companies will
utilize the strategy of product and communications adaptation. As is true about
strategy 3, stage 3 companies will also use dual adaptation-regardless of whether
the strategy is warranted by market conditions, Preferences, function, or
receptivity.
Unilever`s experience with fabric softener in Europe exemplifies the classic
multinational road to adaptation. For years, the product was sold in 10 countries
under seven different brand names, with different bottles and marketing
strategies. Unilever's de-centralized structure meant that product and marketing
decisions were left to country managers. They chose names that had local-
language appeal and selected 'package de-signs to fit local tastes. Today, rival
Procter & Gamble is introducing competitive products with a pan-European
strategy of standardized product$ with single names, suggesting that the
European market is more similar than Unilever assumed. In response, Unilever`s
European brand managers are attempting to move gradually toward
standardization
Sometimes, a company will draw on all four of these strategies simultaneously
when marketing a given product in different parts of the world. For example,
Heinz utilizes a mix of strategies in its ketchup marketing. Whereas a dual
extension strategy works in England, spicier, hotter formulations are also
popular in Central Europe and Sweden. Recent ads in France featured a cowboy
lassoing a bottle of ketchup and, thus, reminded consumers of 'the product's
American heritage. Swedish ads conveyed a more cosmopolitan message; by
promoting Heinz as "the taste of the big world" and featuring well known
landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower, the ads disguised the product's origin.
STRATEGY 5: PRODUCT INVENTION
Adaptation strategies are effective approaches to international and multinational
marketing, but they may not respond to global market opportunities. They do not
respond to the situation in markets in which customers do not have the
purchasing power to buy either the existing or adapted product. This latter
situation applies to the LDCs of the world, which are home to roughly three
quarters of the world's population. When potential customers have limited
purchasing power, a company may need to develop an entirely new product,
designed to satisfy the need or want at a price that is within the reach of the
potential customer. Invention is a demanding but potentially rewarding product
strategy for reaching mass markets in LDCs.
The winners in global competition are the companies that can develop products
offering the most benefits, which in turn create the greatest value for buyers. In
some instances, value is not defined in terms of performance but rather in terms
of customer perception. The latter is as important for an expensive perfume or
champagne as it is for an inexpensive soft drink. Product quality is essential-
indeed, it is frequently a given but it is also necessary to support the product
quality with imaginative, value-creating advertising and marketing
communications. Most industry experts believe that a global, appeal and a
global advertising campaign are more effective in creating the perception, of
value than a series of separate national campaigns.
Activity: 4
Prepare a list of Geographical alternatives while expanding a product reach in
the Global Market.
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HOW TO CHOOSE A STRATEGY
Most companies seek a product strategy that optimizes company profits over the
long term. Which strategy for global markets best achieves this goal? There is,
unfortunately, no general answer to this question. Rather, the answer depends on
the specific product market-company mix.
Companies differ in both their willingness and capability to identify and produce
profitable product adaptations. Unfortunately, too many stage one and stage two
companies are oblivious to the foregoing issues. One new-product expert has
described three stages that a company must go through as follows:
1. Cave dweller- The primary motivation behind launching new products
internationally is to dispose of excess production or increase plant-capacity
utilization.
2. Naive nationalist- The Company recognizes growth opportunities outside the
domestic market. It realizes that cultures and markets differ from country to
country, and as a result, it sees' product adaptation as the only possible
alternative.
3. Globally sensitive- This Company views regions or the entire world as the
competitive marketplace. New-product opportunities are evaluated across
countries, with some standardization planned as well as some differentiation to
accommodate cultural variances. New-product planning processes and control
systems are reasonably standardized.
To sum up, choice of product and communications strategy in international
marketing is a function of three key factors: (1) the product itself, defined in
terms of the function or need it serves; (2) the market, defined in terms of the
conditions under which the product is used, the preferences of potential
customer and the ability to buy the products in question; and (3) the costs of
adaptation
and
manufacture to the company considering these
product/communications approaches. Only after analysis of the product/ market
fit and of company capabilities and costs can executives choose the most
profitable international strategy.
NEW PRODUCTS IN GLOBAL MARKETING
What is new product? Newness can be assessed in the context of the product
itself, the organization, and the market. The product may be an entirely new
invention or innovation; for example, the videocassette recorder (VCR) or the
compact disc. It may be a line extension (a modification of an existing product)
such as Diet Coke. Newness may also be organizational, as when a company
acquires an already existing product with which it has no previous experience.
Finally, an existing product that is not new to a company may be new to a
particular market.
In today's dynamic, competitive market environment, many companies realize
that continuous development and introduction of new products are keys to
survival and growth. Which companies excel at these activities? Gary Rainer, a
new-product specialist with the Boston Consulting Group, has compiled the
following list: Honda Compaq, Motorola, Canon, Boeing, Merck, Microsoft,
Intel, and Toyota. One common characteristic: They are global companies that
pursue opportunities in global markets in which competition is fierce, thus
ensuring that new products will be world class. Other characteristics noted by
Reiner are as follows:
1. They focus on one or only a few businesses.
2. Senior management is actively involved in defining and improving the
product development process.
3. They have the ability to recruit and retain the best and the brightest
people in their fields.
4. They understand that speed in bringing new products to market
reinforces product quality.
Activity: 5
Prepare a presentation for adopting new product ideas in the targeted Market.
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IDENTIFYING NEW PRODUCT IDEAS
The starting point for an effective worldwide new-product program is an
information system that seeks new product ideas from all potentially useful
sources and channels. Those ideas relevant to the company undergo screening at
decision centers within the organization. There are many sources of new-product
ideas, including customers, suppliers, competitors, company salespeople,
distributors and agents, subsidiary executives; headquarters executives,
documentary sources (for example, information service reports and
publications), and, finally, actual firsthand observation of the market
environment.
NEW-PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT LOCATION
A global company must make an important decision regarding new-product
development. Should development activity be dispersed to different
country/regional locations, or should new-product activities` be concentrated in
a single location? The advantage of concentration is that all of the new-product
development people can interact daily on a face-to-face basis. There may also be
cost efficiencies in a single location. The disadvantage of concentration is that it
does not take advantage of global thinking and separates the developers from the
ultimate consumer. Utilizing a dispersed strategy requires co-ordination of
employees and the effective transfer of information between locations, and may
result in duplicated efforts.
Regardless of which strategy a company selects, a high volume of information
flow is required to scan adequately for new-product opportunities, and
considerable effort is subsequently required tO5creen these opportunities to
identify candidates for product development. An organizational design for
addressing these requirements is a new-product department. The function of
such a department is fourfold: (1) to ensure that all relevant information sources
are continuously tapped for new-product: ideas; (2) to screen these ideas to
identify candidates for investigation; (3) to investigate and analyze selected
new-product ideas; and (4) to ensure that the organization commits resources to
the most likely. New product candidates and is continuously involved in an
orderly program of new-product introduction and development on a worldwide
basis.
With the enormous number of possible new products, most companies establish
screening grids to focus on those ideas that are most appropriate for
investigation. The following questions are relevant to this task:
1. How big is the market for this product at various prices?
2. Can we market the product through our existing structure? If not,
what changes will be necessary and what costs will be required to
make the changes?
3. Given estimates of potential demand for this product at specified
prices with estimated levels of competition, can we source the
product at a cost that will yield an adequate profit?
4. What are the likely competitive moves in response to our activity
with this product?
5. Does this product fit our strategic development plan?
a. Is the product consistent with our overall goals and objectives?
b. Is the product consistent with our available resources?
c. Is the product consistent with our management structure?
d. Does the product have adequate global potential?)
TESTING NEW PRODUCTS IN NATIONAL MARKETS
The major lesson of new product introduction outside the home market has been
that whenever a product interacts with human, mechanical, or chemical
elements, there is the potential for a surprising and unexpected incompatibility.
Since virtually every product matches this description, it is important to test a
product under actual market conditions before proceeding with full-scale
introduction. A test does not necessarily involve a full-scale test-marketing
effort. It may simply involve observing the actual use of the product in the target
market.
Failure to assess actual use conditions can lead to big surprises, as in the case of
Singer sewing machines sold in African markets. These machines, manufactured
in Scotland by Singer, were slightly redesigned by Scottish engineers. The
location of a small bolt on the product's base was changed; the change had no
effect on product performance but did save a few pennies per unit in
manufacturing costs. Unfortunately, when the modified machine reached Africa,
it was discovered that this small change was disastrous for product sales. The
Scottish engineers did not take into account the fact that in Africa, it is
customary for women to transport any bundle or load-including sewing
machines-on their heads. The relocated bolt was positioned at exactly the place
where head met machine for proper balance; since the sewing machines were no
longer transportable, demand decreased substantially.
MANAGEMENT OF INTERNATIONAL BRANDS
In many countries, branding may be nothing more than the simple process of
putting a manufacturer's name, signature, 'or picture on a product or its package.
Many U.S. firms did precisely this in the old days, as illustrated by King
Gillette's own portrait being used as a trademark for his Gillette razor blades.
Exhibit:
Marketing Strategy 1
Name Selection
Brand name selection, although an artistic process has become more scientific.
In the case of automobiles, brand names are carefully chosen so they can
connote certain positive meanings.
Oldsmobile has changed some of its name plates. Calais has become Achieva.
Calais is a Seaport in northern France on the Strait of Dover. Achieva, in
contrast, can communicate the idea that the car is a "compact, dependable,
nimble, and responsive automobile". Achieva is a computer-generated name.
Although it does not really mean anything, it connotes achievement. Olds mobile
initially called it the Achiever, which implied somewhat negatively a young
urban professional who had "made it."
Just like Achieva, Acura is a neologism. Created by Name Lab, the name
suggests precision.
One of Honda's desired hallmarks for the brand was precise engineering.
Altima is a neologism. The word has no real meaning but hints at ultimate or best.
Geo is a morpheme or the smallest meaningful language unit. It means world in
many languages.
Mondeo menad world in Italian
Mitsubishi, in Japanese, means three pebbles. The company changed it to three
diamonds whose design serves as the company's logo.
The wives of the vice president and the top engineer of ford car product
development were born under the Taurus sign of the Zodiac. As a result, Taurus
was used as the project code name and in the end stayed as the name of the car.
Wind star is a successor to Ford's aero star minivan. The company, while
wanting to keep a family relationship to the Aerostar, also wanted a different
name to tell buyers that Wind star was a new vehicle.
The basic purposes of branding are the same everywhere in the world. In
general, the functions of a brand are to (1) create identification and brand
awareness, (2) guarantee a certain level of quality, quality, and satisfaction, and
(3) help with promotion. All of these purposes have the same ultimate goal: to
induce repeat sales. The Spalding name, for example, has a great deal of
marketing clout in Japan. In fact, a group of investors bought the company in
1982 because they felt that Spalding was the best-known name in sports in the
free world and that the name was underutilized.
For American consumers, brands are important. Overseas consumers are just as
brand conscious if not more so because of their social aspirations and the social
meanings that brand names can offer. Eastern European consumers recognize
many Western brand names, including some that are unavailable in their
countries. Among the most powerful brand names are Sony, Adidas, Ford,
Toyota, Volvo, BMW, and Mercedes. When International Semi Tech
Microelectronics Inc. acquired troubled SSMC Inc.; the most important asset
was probably the Singer trademark.
When a company is for sale, the remainder of the purchase price after deducting
the fair value of the physical assets is called goodwill, "going concern value:' or
an intangible asset. In the case of service businesses, nearly the entire purchase
price that companies generate tends to be goodwill. The brand has brand equity
when there is value that is attached to that brand. Perhaps, Coca-Cola's most
valuable asset is its brand equity, which is worth $39 billion.
Taking into consideration the importance of branding as a marketing tool, one
would expect that corporate headquarters would normally have a major role in
brand planning for overseas markets. As a component of an MNC's marketing
mix, branding is the area in which standardization appears to be relatively high.
One study found a standardization-branding rate of 82.5 percent among U.S.
consumer-goods manufacturers. In comparison to the large U.S.-based industrial
firms' European marketing strategies, these same firms' marketing mix strategies
in Latin America appear to be more standardized. As expected, branding and
product were least adapted, probably because of the relatively greater cost of
adapting products and brands.
Another study found that international marketing managers considered some
cultural and socioeconomic conditions of foreign countries in making global
brand image strategy decisions. If the markets are similar, a firm may be able to
use the standardization strategy by extending its brand-image theme to the other
markets. However, when markets differ in cultural uncertainty avoidance,
individualism, and national socioeconomic, managers tend to employ the image-
customization strategy.
BRANDING LEVELS AND ALTERNATIVES
There are four levels of branding decisions:
1. No brand versus brand
2. Private brand versus manufacturer's brand
3. Single brand versus multiple brands
4. Local brands versus worldwide brand
Branding versus No Brand
To brand or not to brand, that is the question. Most U.S. exported products are
branded, but that does not mean that all products should be. Branding is not a
cost-free proposition because of the added costs associated with marking,
labeling, packaging, and legal procedures. These costs are especially relevant in
the case of commodities (e.g. salt, cement, diamonds, produce, beef, and other
agricultural and chemical products).
Commodities are "unbranded or undifferentiated products which are sold by
grade, not by brands." As such, there is no uniqueness, other than grade
differential, that can be used to distinguish the offerings of one supplier from
those of another. Branding is then probably undesirable because brand
promotion is ineffective in a practical sense and adds unnecessary expenses to
operations costs. The value of a diamond, for example, is determined by the so-
called four Cs cut, color, clarity, and carat weight and not by brand. This is why
DeBeers promotes the primary demand for diamonds in general rather than the
selective demand for specific brands of diamonds.
On the positive scale, a brand less product allows flexibility in quality and
quantity control, resulting in lower production costs along with lower marketing
and legal costs.
The basic problem with a commodity or unbranded product is that its demand is
strictly a function of price. The brand less product is thus vulnerable to any price
swing or price cutting. Farmers can well attest to this vulnerability because
prices of farm products have been greatly affected by competition from overseas
producers. Yet, there are-ways to--remove-a company from this kind-of
cutthroat competition Branding, when feasible, transforms a commodity into a
product (e.g., /Chiquita bananas, Dole pineapples, Sunkist oranges, Morton salt,
Holly Farms fryers, and Perdue fryers).
A product is a "value-added commodity," and this bundle of added values
includes the brand itself as well as other product attributes, regardless of
whether such attributes are physical or psychological and whether they are real
or imaginary. The 3M company developed brand identity and packaging for its
Scotch videotapes for the specific purpose of preventing them from becoming
just another commodity item in the worldwide, price-sensitive market.
Branding makes premium pricing possible because of better identification,
awareness, promotion, differentiation, consumer confidence, brand loyalty, and
repeats sales.
Although branding provides the manufacturer with some insulation from price
competition, a firm must still find out whether it is worthwhile to brand the
product. In general, these prerequisites should be met:
1. Quality and quantity consistency, not necessarily the best quality or
the greatest quantity.
2. The possibility of product differentiation.
3. The degree of importance consumers place on the product attribute to
be differentiated.
As an example, Nike's unique designs (e. -g. waffle sole) allowed the
company to differentiate its brand from others and to become the top-
rated brand among serious joggers.
Activity: 6
Prepare a list of examples of Branding Decisions.
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EXHIBIT Advantages of Each Branding Alternative (from manufacturer's
viewpoint)
No Brand
Brand
Lower production cost
Better identification
Lower marketing cost
Better awareness
Lower legal cost
Better chance for product
differentiation
More flexibility in quality and
quantity
control
(i.e.,
Better chance for repeat sales
possibility of less rigidity in
Possible premium pricing (i.e.,
control)
removal from price com
Good
for
commodities
Petition)
(undifferentiated items)
Possibility of making demand
more price inelastic
Manufacturer's Brand
Private Brand
Better control of products and
Ease in gaining dealers'
features
acceptance
Better price because of more
Possibility of larger market
price inelasticity retention of
share
brand loyalty
No promotional hassles and
Better bargaining power
expenses
Assurance
of
not
being
Good for small manufacturer
bypassed by channel members
with unknown brand and
identity
Single Brand (in single market)
Better marketing impact
Multiple Brands (in single market)
Permitting
more
focused
marketing
Brand receiving full attention
Utilization
of
market
Reduction of advertising costs
segmentation technique
because of better
Creation of excitement among
Economies of scale and lack of
employees
duplication
Creation of competitive spirits
Elimination of brand confusion
Avoidance
of
negative
among employees, dealer, and
connotation of existing brand
consumers
gain of more retail shelf space
Good for product with good
Retention of customers who
reputation and quality (halo
are not brand loyal allowance
effect)
of trading up or down without
hurting existing brand
Worldwide Brand
Better marketing impact and
Local Brands
focus
Reduction of advertising costs
Legal necessity (e.g., name
already used by someone else
Elimination of brand confusion
in local market)
Good for culture-free product
Elimination of difficulty in
Good for prestigious brand
pronunciation
Easy identification/recognition
Allowance
for
more
for international travelers
meaningful names (i.e., more
local identification!
Good for well-known designer
Elimination
of
negative
connotations.
Avoidance of taxation on
international brand
Quick market penetration by
acquiring
local
brand
allowance of variations of
quantity and quality across
markets
Private Brand versus Manufacturer's Brand
Branding to promote sales and move product necessitates a further branding
decision: whether the manufacturer should use its own brand or a distributor's
brand on its product. Distributors in the world of international business include
trading companies, importers, and retailers, among others; their brands are
called private brands. Many portable TV sets made in Japan for the U.S. market
are under private labels. In rare instances, Japanese marketers put their brands
on products made by U.S. companies, as evidenced by Matsushita's purchases of
major appliances from White and D&M for sale in the United States. The Oleg
Cassini trademark is put on the shirts actually made by Daewoo.
Even though it may seem logical for a distributor to carry the manufacturer's
well-known brand, many distributors often insist on their own private brands for
several reasons.
First, a distributor may be able to create a unique product by bundling or
unbundling product attributes and then adjusting the price to reflect the proper
value. Carrefour, a French retail giant, and sells some 3,000 in-house products at
prices about 15 percent lower than national brands. J. Sainsbury PLC, a British
retailer, has a private brand that is able to get 30 percent of the detergent market,
moving it ahead of Unilever's Persil and just behind Procter & Gamble's Ariel,
which is the market leader. It is believed that private-label products now account
for 32 percent of supermarket sales in the United Kingdom and 24 percent in
France.
Second, a private brand is a defensive strategy that guarantees that a distributor
is not bypassed by its supplier. For example, Ponder and Best, after losing the
Rolleiflex and Olympus distributorships, came up with its own brand of
photographic products, Vivitar.
Third, distributors can convert fixed production costs into variable costs by
buying products made by others. Sperry's products are made by more than 200
manufacturers (e.g., Sperry's personal computer is manufactured by Mitsubishi).
With this practice, Sperry is able to save cash and research-and-development
expenses. Of course, it is important for a distributor with a private brand to have
a reliable supplier.
Fourth and perhaps the most important reason for a distributor's insistence on a
private brand is brand loyalty, bargaining power, and price. In spite of the lower
prices paid by the distributor and ultimately by its customers, the distributor is
still able to command a higher gross margin than what a manufacturer's brand
usually offers. The lower price can also be attributed to the distributor's refusal
to pay for the manufacturer's full costs. A distributor may want to pay for the
manufactures variable costs but not all of the fixed costs. Or a distributor may
want to pay for production costs only but not the manufacturer's promotional
expenditures, because a distributor gets no benefit from the goodwill of a
manufacturer's advertised brand. If a firm has any problem with the supplier
(manufacturer), it has the flexibility of switching .to another supplier to make
the-identical product, thus maintaining brand loyalty and bargaining power
without any adverse effect on sales. RCA; for example, switched' from
Matsushita to Hitachi for its portable units of VCRs.
Single Brand versus Multiple Brands
When a single brand is marketed by the manufacturer, the brand is assured of
receiving full attention for maximum impact. But a company may choose to
market several brands within a single market based on the assumption that the
market is heterogeneous and thus-must be segmented. Consequently, a specific
brand is designed for a specific market segment.
The watch industry provides a good illustration for the practice-of-using-
multiple brands in a single market for different market segments. Bulova, a well-
known brand, also has the Accutron and Caravelle brands. Citizen, in its attempt
to capture the new youth and multiple-watch owners market, traded down to
include a new brand called Vega. Likewise, Hattori Seiko is well known for its
Seiko brand, which is sold at the upper-medium price range ($100-300) in better
stores; to appeal to a more affluent segment, the firm traded up with the Lassale
name. Seiko's strategy is to deliberately divorce the Seiko and Lassale names,
once used together, in the public mind, with the gold-plated Lassale line
retailing for $225-750 and the karat-gold Jean Lassale line retailing for $675-
35,000. Lassale watches have Seiko movements but are made only in the United
States and Western Europe in order to curb parallel trading and they are
distributed only through jewelers and department stores. The company also
trades down, with Pulsar (the cheapest model at $50). Lorus ($12.95-49.95), and
Alba ($9.95-19.95) for Asia.
Multiple brands are suitable when a company wants to trade either up or down
because both moves have a tendency to hurt the firm's main business. If a
company has the reputation for quality, trading down without creating a new
brand will hurt the prestige of the existing brand. By the same rationale, if a
company is known for its low-priced. Mass-produced products, trading up
without creating a new brand is hampered by the image of the existing products.
Casio is perceived as a manufacturer of low-priced watches and calculators and
the name adversely affects its attempt to trade up to personal computers and
electronic musical instruments. To overcome this kind of problem, Honda uses
the Acura name for its sporty cars so that Acura's image is not affected by the
more pedestrian Honda image.
IBM has begun to segment the PC market and has employed a multi brand
strategy. Toward this end, the company aims different brands and separate sales
channels at different groups of customers. In Europe it has four product lines,
which range from a law-priced PS/1 home model to a relatively expensive PS/2
hub far corporate networks. The other two lines are Ambra and Value Paint.
Ambra is noteworthy because it is it product line of imparted Asian computers
which are said in Europe under a non IBM label.
Exhibit:
Cultural Dimension Multi-brand Marketing
Timex's most valuable asset may be its brand name. Its advertisements
showing how rugged. Timex watches have been well received over the years.
As a matter of fact, the 1992 Gallup Watch Brand Survey found that Timex is
number one in terms of name recognition, with 98percent of consumers
knowing the Timex name. Seiko, with 87 percent recognition, took second
place.
Timex's marketing error was its failure to keep' up with market trends as the
watch evolved from a functional object to a fashion accessory. According to
the Jewelers of America, the average consumer has five watches, drastically
different from 1.5 watches from thirty years ago. Timex's Japanese rivals,
Seiko and Citizen, have long adjusted by introducing a wide variety of styles
and prices so that customers can have different watches for different looks.
In the meantime, Timex was moving along as a one-brand company. The
company has finally decided to go multi-brand.
Source: "At Timex, They're Positively Glowing," Business Week, 12 July 1993.
141.
Local Brands versus Worldwide Brand
When the manufacturer decides to put its awn brand name and the product, the
problem does not end there if the manufacturer is an International marketer. The
possibility of having to modify the trademark cannot be dismissed: The
international marketer must then consider whether to use just one brand name
worldwide are different brands far different markets are countries. To market
brands worldwide and to market worldwide brands are not the same thing .A
single, worldwide brand is also known as: an international, universal, or global
brand. A Euro-brand is a slight modification of this approach, as it is a single
product far a single
For a brand to be global or worldwide it must by definition have a commonly
understood set of characteristics and benefits in all of the markets where it is
marketed. Coca cola is a global brand in the sense that it has been successful in
maintaining similar perceptions across countries and cultures. However, most
other brand does not enjoy this kind of consistency thus making it debatable
whether a gullible brand is a practical solution.
A worldwide brand has several advantages. First, it tends to be associated with
status and prestige. Second, it achieves maximum market impact overall while
reducing advertising costs because only one brand is pushed. Bata Ltd. a
Canadian shoe marketer and retailer in ninety-two countries found out form it s
research that consumers greatly though Bata to be a local concern, no matter the
country surveyed. The company thus decided to become and official sponsor of
world cup soccer in order to enhance Bata`s international stature. For Bata and
others it is easier to achiever worldwide exposure for one brand than it is for
multiple local brands. Too many brands create confusion and fragmentation.
Third, a worldwide brand provides a convenient identification, and international
travelers can easily recognize the product. There would be no sense in creating
multiple brands for such international products as Time magazine, American
Express credit card, Diner's Club credit card, Shell gasoline, and so on;
Finally, a worldwide brand is an appropriate approach when a product has a
good reputation or is known for quality. In such a case, a company would be
wise to extend the brand name to other products in the product line. This
strategy has been used extensively by GE In another case, 3M perceived
commonalities in consumer demographics and market development worldwide;
in response, it devised a "convergence remarketing" strategy to develop global
identity for its Scotch brand of electronic recording products, whose design
prominently displays the Scotch name and a globelike logo.
The use of multiple brands, also known as the local or individual approach, is
probably much more common than many people realize. The automobile
industry is a good example. The Japanese strategy is to introduce a new car in
Japan for one year before exporting it to the U.S. market under a different name.
Toyota XX and Datsun Sunny, dubbed Toyota Supra and Nissan Sentra for the
United States, are examples of this practice. In the case of Unilever, its fabric
softener is sold in ten European countries under seven names. Due to
decentralization, the multinational firm allows country managers to choose
names, packages, and formulas that will appeal to local tastes. More recently,
the company, while keeping local brand names, has been gradually
standardizing packaging and product formulas.
PACKAGING AND LABELING
Much like the brand name packaging is another integral part of a product.
Packaging serves two primary purposes: functional and promotional. First and
foremost, a package must be functional in the sense that it is capable of
protecting the product at minimum cost.
If a product is not manufactured locally and has to be exported to another
country, extra protection is needed to compensate for the time and distance
involved. A country's adverse environment should also be taken into account.
When moisture is a problem, a company may have to wrap pills in foil or put
food in tin boxes or vacuum-sealed cans. Still, the type of package chosen must
be economical. In Mexico, where most consumers cannot afford to buy
detergents in large packages, detergent suppliers found it necessary to use plastic
bags for small packages because cardboard would be too expensive for that
purpose.
For most packaging applications, marketers should keep in mind that foreign
consumers are more concerned with the functional aspect of a package than they
are with convenience. As such, there is usually no reason to offer the great
variety of package sizes or styles demanded by Americans. Plastic and
throwaway bottles are regarded as being wasteful, especially in LDCs, where the
labor cost for handling returnable is modest. Non-American consumers prefer a
package to have secondary functions. A tin box or a glass bottle can be used
after the product content is gone to store something else. Empty glass containers
can be sold by consumers to recoup a part of the purchase price.
From the marketing standpoint, the promotional function of packaging is just as
critical as the functional aspect. To satisfy the Japanese preference for beautiful
packaging, Avon upgraded its inexpensive plastic packaging to crystalline glass.
Similarly, BSR packs its product into two cartons, one for shipping and one for
point-of purchase display, because Japanese buyers want a carton to be in top
condition. The successful campaign for Bailey's Irish Cream in the United States
included a fancy gold foil box package that promotes this whiskey-based drink's
upscale image. In any case, packaging does not have to be dull. Novel shapes
and designs can be used to stimulate interest and create excitement.
MANDATORY
PACKAGE
MODIFICATION
A package change may be either mandatory or at the discretion of the marketer.
A mandatory change is usually necessitated by government regulations.
Sometimes, it is for safety and other reasons. Sometimes, packaging regulations
are designed more for protection against imports than for consumer protection.
Several countries require bilinguality (e.g., French and English in Canada and
French and Flemish in Belgium). This requirement may force the manufacturer
to increase package size or shorten messages and product name, as a bilingual
package must have twice the space for copy communications. In some cases,
modification is dictated by mechanical or technical difficulties, such as the
unavailability of certain typographic fonts or good advertising typographers:
In many cases, packaging and labeling are highway related. Packages may be
required to describe contents, quantity, manufacturer`s name and address, and so
on in letters of designated sizes. Any pictorial illustration that is used should not
be misleading. In Singapore, Certain foods must be labeled to conform to
defined standards. When terms, are used, that-imply added vitamins or minerals
(e.g., enriched, fortified, vitaminized), packages must show the quantities of
vitamins or minerals added per metric unit. In addition, if the product is
hazardous m. any way, marketers should adopt the United Nations'
recommendations for the labeling and packaging of hazardous materials.
Exporters of textile products must conform to countries' varying regulations.
Spain has specific and extensive requirements concerning fiber content,
labeling, and packaging. In addition to its flammability requirements, Sweden's
labeling regulations include size, material, care, and origin. Venezuela requires
all packaged goods to be labeled in metric units while specifically prohibiting
dual labeling to show both metric and non metric units. Germany wants the
description of fiber content to be in German, but labeling for Denmark must be
in Danish or kindred. In the case of France care labeling (if used) must meet an
International Standardization Organization (ISO) directive.
Different countries' different measurement systems may necessitate some form
of product modification, and necessity applies to packaging as well. Products,
toiletries included, cannot be sold in Australia in ounces. The Australian
regulations require products to be sold in metric numbers, in increments of 25
mm. In Germany, liquid products must be bottled or packaged in standard metric
sizes. Interestingly, the United States, a non-metric nation, has the same
requirement for liquor products.
OPTIONAL
PACKAGE
MODIFICATION
Optional modification of package, although not absolutely necessary, may have
to be undertaken for marketing impact or for facilitating marketing activities.
Through accidents and history, users in many countries have grown accustomed
to particular types of packages. Mayonnaise, cheese, and mustard come in tubes
in Europe, but mustard is sold in jars in the United States. Orange bottles are
popular in the Netherlands. While non-Dutch beer drinkers all over the world
readily recognize a green Heineken bottle; the domestic Heineken beer comes in
a brown bottle. Ironically, because of a strike at home, Heineken was forced to
import 1.8 million gallons at one time from some of its ninety breweries
worldwide.
In selecting or modifying a package, a marketer should consider local conditions
related to purchasing habits. Products conventionally sold in packs in the United
States are not necessarily sold that way elsewhere and may require further bulk
breaking. This phenomenon is in part the result of lower income levels overseas
and in part the result of a lack of unit pricing, which makes it difficult for buyers
to see any savings derived from the purchase of a bigger package. Foreign
consumers may, desire to buy one bottle of beer or soft drink at a time instead of
buying a six-pack or eight pack. Likewise, one cigarette, not the whole pack,
may be bought in a purchase transaction.
Activity: 7
Prepare a list of examples where Packaging helped in creation of Brand Value..
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PROVISION OF SALES RELATED SERVICES:
Business Practices in International Product Delivery
Companies should be aware of basic business practices that are paramount to
successful international selling. Because cultures vary, there is no single code by
which to conduct business. These practices transcend culture barriers and will
help the U.S. company conduct business overseas.
? Keep promises. The biggest complaint from foreign importers about
U.S. suppliers is failure to ship as promised. A first order is particularly
important because it shapes the customer's image of a firm as a dependable or an
undependable supplier.
? Be polite, courteous, and friendly. However, it is important to avoid
undue familiarity or slang. Some overseas firms feel that the usual brief U.S.
business letter is lacking in courtesy.
? Personally sign all letters. Form letters are not satisfactory.
Building a Working Relationship
Once a relationship has been established with an overseas customer,
representative, or distributor, it is important that the exporter work on building
and maintaining that relationship. Common courtesy should dictate business
activity. By following the points outlined in this chapter, a U.S. firm can present
itself well. Beyond these points, the exporter should keep in mind that a foreign
contact should be treated and served as well as a domestic contact. For example,
the U.S. company should keep customers and contacts notified of all changes,
including price, personnel, address, and phone numbers.
Because of distance, a contact can "age" quickly and cease to be useful unless
communication is maintained. For many companies, monthly or quarterly visits
should be made to customers or distributors. This commitment to the business
relationship, although not absolutely necessary, ensures that both the company
and the product maintain high visibility in the marketplace.
After-sales Service
Quality, price, and service are three factors are critical to the success of any
export sales effort. Quality and price are addressed in earlier chapters. Service,
which is addressed here, should be an integral part of any company's export
strategy from the start. Properly handled, service can be a foundation for growth.
Ignored or left to chance, it can cause an export effort to fail.
Service is the prompt delivery of the product. It is courteous sales personnel. It
is a user or service manual modified to meet your customer's needs. It is ready
access to a service facility. It is knowledgeable, cost-effective maintenance,
repair, or replacement. Service is location. Service is dealer support.
Service varies by the product type, the quality of the product, the price of the
product, and the distribution channel employed. For export products that require
no service - such as food products, some consumer goods, and commercial
disposables - the issue is resolved once distribution channels, quality criteria,
and return policies have been identified.
On the other hand, the characteristics of consumer durables and some
consumables demand that service be available. For such products, service is a
feature expected by the consumer. In fact, foreign buyers of industrial goods
typically place service at the forefront of the criteria they evaluate when making
a purchase decision.
All foreign markets are sophisticated, and each has its own expectations of
suppliers and vendors. U.S. manufacturers or distributors must therefore ensure
that their service performance is comparable to that of the predominant
competitors in the market. This level of performance is an important determinant
in ensuring a reasonable competitive position, given the other factors of product
quality, price, promotion, and delivery.
An exporting firm's strategy and market entry decision may dictate that it does
not provide after-sale service. It may determine that its export objective is the
single or multiple opportunistic entry into export markets. Although this
approach may work in the short term, subsequent product offerings will be less
successful as buyers recall the failure to provide expected levels of service. As a
result, market development and sales expenditures may result in one-time sales.
Service Delivery Options
Service is an important factor in the initial export sale and ongoing success of
products in foreign markets. U.S. firms have many options for the delivery of
service to foreign buyers.
A high-cost option - and the most inconvenient for the foreign retail, wholesale,
commercial, or industrial buyer - is for the product to be returned to the
manufacturing or distribution facility in the United States for service or repair.
The buyer incurs a high cost and loses the use of the product for an extended
period, while the seller must incur the export cost of the same product a second
time to return it. Fortunately, there are practical, cost-effective alternatives to
this approach.
If the selected export distribution channel is a joint venture or other partnership
arrangement, the overseas partner may have a service or repair capability in the
markets to be penetrated. An exporting firm's negotiations and agreements with
its partner should include explicit provisions for repairs, maintenance, and
warranty service. The cost of providing this service should be negotiated into the
agreement.
For goods sold at retail outlets, a preferred service option is to identify and use
local service facilities. Though this requires up-front expenses to identify and
train local service outlets, the costs are more than repaid in the long run.
For example, a leading Canadian manufacturer of consumer personal care items
uses U.S. distributors and sales representatives to generate purchases by large
and small retailers across the United States. Individual consumers purchase the
products at retail. The Canadian firm contracted with local consumer electronic
repair facilities in leading U.S. cities to provide service or replacement for its
product line. Consequently, the manufacturer can include a certificate with each
product listing "authorized" local warranty and service centers.
There are administrative, training, and supervisory overhead costs associated
with such a warranty and service program. The benefit, however, is that the
company is now perceived to be a local company that competes on equal footing
with domestic U.S. manufacturers. U.S. exporters should keep this example in
mind when entering foreign markets.
Exporting a product into commercial or industrial markets may dictate a
different approach. For the many U.S. companies that sell through distributors,
selection of a representative to serve a region, a nation, or a market should be
based not only on the distributing company's ability to sell effectively but also
on its ability and willingness to service the product.
Assessing that ability to service requires that the exporter ask questions about
existing service facilities; about the types, models, and age of existing service
equipment; about training practices for service personnel; and about the firm's
experience in servicing similar products.
If the product being exported is to be sold directly to end users, service and
timely performance are critical to success. The nature of the product may require
delivery of on-site service to the buyer within very specific time parameters.
These are negotiable issues for which the U.S. exporter must be prepared. Such
on-site service may be available from service organizations in the buyer's
country; or the exporting company may have to send personnel to the site to
provide service. The sales contract should anticipate a reasonable level of on-site
service and should include the associated costs. Existing performance and
service history can serve as a guide for estimating service and warranty
requirements on export sales, and sales can be costed accordingly. Small and
large exporters alike accept this practice.
At some level of export activity, it may become cost-effective for a U.S.
company to establish its own branch or subsidiary operation in the foreign
market. The branch or subsidiary may be a one-person operation or a more
extensive facility staffed with sales, administration, service, and other personnel,
most of whom are local nationals in the market. This high-cost option enables
the exporter to ensure sales and service quality, provided that personnel are
trained in sales, products, and service on an ongoing basis. The benefits of this
option include the control it gives to the exporter and the ability to serve
multiple markets in a single region.
Manufacturers of similar or related products may find it cost-effective to
consolidate service, training, and support in each export market. U.S.-based
personnel, a foreign facility under contract, or a jointly owned foreign-based
service facility can deliver Service. Despite its cost benefits, this option raises a
number of issues. Such joint activity may be interpreted as being in restraint of
trade or otherwise market controlling or monopolistic. Exporters that are
considering it should therefore obtain competent legal counsel when developing
this joint operating arrangement. Exporters may wish to consider obtaining an
export trade certificate of review, which provides limited immunity from U.S.
antitrust laws.
Legal Considerations
Service is a very important part of many types of representation agreements. For
better or worse, the quality of service in a country or region affects the U.S.
manufacturer's reputation there.
Quality of service also affects the intellectual property rights of the
manufacturer. A trademark is a mark of source, with associated quality and
performance. If quality control is not maintained, the manufacturer can lose its
rights to the product, because one can argue that, within that foreign market, the
manufacturer has abandoned the trademark to the distributor.
It is, therefore, imperative that agreements with a representative be specific
about the form of the repair or service facility, the number of people on the staff,
inspection provisions, training programs, and payment of costs associated with
maintaining a suitable facility. The depth or breadth of a warranty in a given
country or region should be tied to the service facility to which the manufacturer
has access in that market. It is important to promise only what can be delivered.
Another part of the representative agreement may detail the training the exporter
will provide to its foreign representative. This detail can include frequency of
training, who must be trained, where the training is provided, and which party
absorbs travel and per diem costs.
New Sales Opportunities and Improved Customer Relations
Foreign buyers of U.S.-manufactured products typically have limited contact
with the manufacturer or its personnel. The foreign service facility is, in fact,
one of the major contact points between the exporter and the buyer. To a great
extent, the U.S. manufacturer's reputation is made by the overseas service
facility.
The service experience can be a positive and reinforcing sales and service
encounter. It can also be an excellent sales opportunity if the service personnel
are trained to take advantage of the situation. Service personnel can help the
customer make life cycle decisions regarding the efficient operation of the
product, how to update it for more and longer cost-effective operation, and when
to replace it as the task expands or changes. Each service contact is an
opportunity to educate the customer and expand the exporter's sales
opportunities.
Service is also an important aspect of selling solutions and benefits rather than
product features. More than one leading U.S. industrial products exporter sells
its products as a "tool to do the job" rather than as a "truck" or a "cutting
machine" or "software." Service capability enables customers to complete their
jobs more efficiently with the exporter's "tool." Training service managers and
personnel in this type of thinking vitalizes service facilities and generates new
sales opportunities.
Each foreign market offers a unique opportunity for the U.S. exporter. Care and
attention to the development of in-country sales and distribution capabilities is
paramount. Delivery of after-sales service is critical to the near- and long-term
success of the U.S. company's efforts in any market.
Senior personnel should commit to a program of regular travel to each foreign
market to meet with the company's representatives, clients, and others who are
important to the success of the firm in that market. Among those persons would
be the commercial officer at the Commercial Service's post and representatives
of the American Chamber of Commerce and the local chamber of commerce or
business association.
The benefits of such a program are twofold. First, executive management learns
more about the foreign marketplace and the firm's capabilities. Second, the in-
country representative appreciates the attention and understands the importance
of the foreign market in the exporter's long-term plans. As a result, such visits
help build a strong, productive relationship.
Conclusion
A product is a bundle of utilities, and the brand and package are part of this
bundle. There is nothing unusual about consumers' reliance on brand names as a
guide to product quality. As shown by the perfume industry, the mystique of a
brand name may be so strong as to overshadow the product's physical attributes.
When practical and well executed, branding allows a commodity to be
transformed into a product. In doing so with the aid of product differentiation,
brand loyalty is created, and the product can command a premium price.
Branding decisions involve more than merely deciding whether a product should
be branded or not. Branding entails other managerial decisions. A manufacturer
must decide whether to use its own brand or that of its dealer on its product. A
marketer must also determine whether to use a single brand for maximum
impact or multiple brands to satisfy the different segments and markets more
precisely. Regardless of the number of brands used, each brand name must be
selected carefully with the international market in mind. Once selected, the
brand name must be protected through registration, and other measures should
be taken to prevent any infringement on that name.
Like the brand name, which may have to be varied from one country to another,
packaging should be changed when needed. Mandatory modification of
packaging should not be considered a problem because the marketer has no
choice in the matter-if a marketer wants to market a product; the marketer must
conform to the country's stated packaging requirements. Unilever, for instance,
has to conform to the French requirement of selling cube-shaped packs, not
rectangular packs, of margarine. Its descriptions for mayonnaise and-salad
dressing also have to vary from country to country.
Optional or discretionary packaging modification, in contrast, is a more
controllable variable within a marketer's marketing mix. Usually, discretionary
packaging is moreJe1ated-to product promotion, and it can take on the same
importance as mandatory packaging. Soft-drink containers are good example-of-
how packaging requirements. must be observed. In many countries bottles are
manufactured in metric sizes because of government requirements. And the
containers must be made of glass because consumers abroad regard plastic
throw-away bottles as being wasteful. Therefore, both mandatory and optional
packaging changes should be considered at the same time.
Questions
I. What are the requirements that must be met so that a commodity can
effectively be trans-formed into a branded product?
2. Explain the "least dependent person" hypothesis and its branding
implications.
3. When is it appropriate to use multiple brands in
(a) the same market and
(b) several markets/countries?
4. What are the characteristics of a good international brand name?
5. Explain these legal requirements related to branding:
(a) registration,
(b) registration eligibility,
(c) use,
(d) renewal, and
(e) generic trademark.
6. Distinguish colorable imitation from counterfeit trademark.
7. Cite the factors that may force a company to modify its package for overseas
markets. Discuss both mandatory and optional modification.
UNIT ? IV
AN OVERVIEW
Lesson Outline
Pricing Decisions and
Environmental influences in Pricing Decisions.
International Pricing policies and strategies and
Promotion Decisions
Complexities and issues and International Advertisement
Personal selling
Sales Promotion and
Public Relations.
Learning Objectives
Understand the nature and scope of Global Marketing Management.
Define Global Marketing Management.
Understand the nature and technique of Pricing Mechanism
Understand the importance of Personal Selling and Sales promotion
Understand the influences of environmental factors and pricing decisions.
LESSON ? 1
Pricing Decisions and environmental influences in pricing decisions.
1.1
Introduction
It is a universally accepted fact that Price is the hero of any transaction,
because the Demand for any commodity or service, depends on the price quoted
for it; Similarly the supply of any commodity or service also depends an the
price is paid for it.
The transaction takes place where the prices for demand and supply meet. Under
the conditions of perfect competition, bargaining takes place and an average
price is arrived at.
Here, it will be pertinent to define the 2 words Price` and Price Level
Price is defined as the particular value of exchange or money quoted for a
particular commodity at a particular time of a particular day. (For instance the
price in share market as well as the foreign exchange market varies 3 times a
day i.e., at 10 A.M., 2 A.M. and 5. P.M.)
Price level is defined as the average of higher quotations and lower quotations
given by various dealers for one particular commodity (for example the price of
goods is higher in air ? conditioned shops with all facilites when compared to
the price of the same commodity on a road ? side dealers shop. This average
price is the basis for demand and also repeated demand for goods. In the matter
of Services like very popular high class hospitals, the changes ae very high than
the Government Hospitals.
Therefore wherever a new product is introduced in the market, this factor called
Price Level` must be considered as the basis for the Sales Price or selling price.
In this connection the famous formula is CP + P = SP. Where CP is cost of
purchase / production; P is profit margin and SP is the selling price. In the
market economy of the capitalistic countries, this formula is generally followed
because P is determined by Demand and supply, as per law of Demand.
For a need product in the market if there is not much of competition, P can be
more. In contrast, when there is cut ? throat competition P may be less. Here,
we may recollect the old saying that failing at one unit in a million is better
than aiming at one hundred and getting full success.
In the long run when the total sales is very high the P (Profit margin may be kept
lower). Equally the P has to be fixed at a lowest level in market penetration
conditions for a new product.
In the global marketing management Price refers to the Export Price
mainly. The global marketing management should pay a special attention to the
development of suitable policies for pricing. They are analysed thoroughly as
product policies.
Almost all information on global firms apply a standard mark-ups to sales in
any part of the global. This is probably because of the greater diversity of
foreign market conditions, the various levels of intervention by government, the
escalation cost for certain exports, due to tariff and non-tariff barriers and the
volatility of currencies in the exporting and importing countries.
Therefore, the Global Marketing Management must consider the Price as the
integral part of the whole global marketing strategy. The Price is very closely
related to the utility, as utility in the ability of a commodity to satisfy human
wants.
The global marketing management is comprised of 3 different stages.
(1).
Export,
(2).
Create foreign exchange, and
(3).
Import
When these stages or steps are followed especially in multi national corporations
there will be a smooth outflow of goods. Hence, the export pricing decisions are
very important.
Generally, the pricing policy covers export pricing as well as transfer pricing.
The transfer ? pricing is the pricing within an MNC global system or between 2
countries, if 2 firms that are inter ? dependant in each other, of course, finance`
is considered as a vital supporting ? activity for global marketing programmes.
The pricing decisions may be divided into the following sections.
1.
Export pricing in the global markets.
2.
The MNC pricing, including transfer pricing
3.
Discussion on tax ? incentives
4.
Financial Exposure, cash management moving money across national
boundaries.
5.
Describing the government support systems for financing exports,
foreign investment and foreign trade and
6.
Comments on foreign aid as finance for creating markets.
1.2
EXPORT PRICING IN THE GLOBAL MARKETS
The market place in Global Marketing Management may be divided into 3
different segments.
a.
This is the segment where the market prices are determined by
the relativity of free play of Demand and Supply factors. Hence,
this may be called as the free market ? price segment
b.
This is the segment where the prices are fixed by the global
commodity agreements and similar forms of long term contracts
through government decisions and.
c.
This is the Segment for MNC firms and / or other firms that are
not independent but inter ? dependant of each other, Thus, this is
called as the transfer pricing segment.
Each of the above segments is equally large in terms of values of global trade.
This lesson mainly deals with free market ? pricing of products as well as
services, including licensing and leasing. The exporters pricing decisions are
depending upon the Demand curve, costs of procurement and the long term
marketing strategy. Hence the exporter is a price ? taker, with no choice but
to meet the existing global price. Hence, he can use the Cost plus method`.
This is to fix the price by adding on the full cost of the freight and forwarding
charges, customs and other duties, currency fluetnatious etc., This is how a
price ? maker in the domestic market becomes the price ? taker in the world
market. In some cases, this is because of the barriers in the domestic market
etc.,
1.3.
EXPORT PRICING IN PRACTICE
High prices, for example, will combine with a high ? quality image and must be
supported by appropriate distribution and promotion. Low prices may result in
quicker penetration and the target segment wants this and competition permits.
Globally, pricing must consider costs and then be adopted to local requirements
in foreign markets but, at the same time, it must be consistent with the firms
worldwide objectives, such as profit maximization, ROI (Return on Investment),
or market ? share. In the global arena the complexity and scope of pricing
tends to raise the member of countries.
Global pricing decisions include the fees, tariffs, special taxes, additional
packaging, labeling, shipping middle ? men costs, additional risks, insurance,
and financing costs arising from varying levels of inflation and fluctuation in
currency rates. Volkswagen concluded that may of these charges forced the
price of there Rabbit model in the American market to uncompetitive levels.
So, they decided to produce Rabbit in the United States of America.
1.4
MNC`s PRICING IN A NATIONAL MARKET
Generally, the goals of an MNC are achieving a satisfactory ROI,
followed by maintaining the market share and meeting a specific profit
goal.
TRANSFER PRICING WITHIN AN MNC
The need occurs for rational systems to price MNC intra ? firm transfer of goods
at various stages of production which would satisfy the goal of manages abroad
to earn adequate profits for their subsidiaries and affiliates, while simultaneously
furthering corporate project goals. Evidence indivates that head quarters
management, in setting transfer prices, often considers the differential incidence
in taxation in various nations in which MNC operates.
This practice raises 2 kinds of problems. One is an external problem as
government tax authorities in most countries try to contract the MNC. The
second is internal. Pricing for tax savings causes aberrations in the subsidiary
and affiliate operational result.
There are 2 alternatives, one is to transfer at cost or cost plus, and the other is to
transfer at an arm`s length price, which is the price which would have been
arrived at by independent parties, in a similar transaction.
In MNCS the corporate costs and projects are affected by import duties.
Sending goods at low prices to countries with high rates of duties adds on to an
MNC`s profits. Also the transfer prices actually are used as a device at times to
counter act the inflationary erosion of assets. An MNC can also help an oiling
subsidiary or affiliate, which is faced with a competitive problem, by lowering
the transfer prices charged. MNC operations in the high tax countries can sell at
or below costs to the ones in the low tax rate countries.
The transfer prices must be acceptable to national tax and customs authorities,
Moreover, it must enable the purchasing unit to meet project targets despite the
pressure.
1.5
ENVIRONMENTAL INELUENCE IN PRICING DECISIONS
For a study of Global Marketing Management, the environmental analysis is
very important. The differences in culture, the economic environment and
political and legal factors are considered as important in global marketing.
1.6
SOCIAL AND CULTURAL FORCES:-
Culture is a set of shared values passed down from generation to generation in a
society. These values determine the socially acceptable behaviour. Some of the
Cultural elements are given below.
(a).
Family
In some countries the family is an extremely close ? knit unit, whereas in some
other countries the family members act more independently.
(b).
Social customs and Behaviour
Customary behaviour varies from country to country. For example, in taking
medicine, the English and Dutch customers prefer white pills, the French
customers like purple and all the three dislike red which is more popular in
USA.
(c).
Education
The literacy level influences advertising, branding and labeling. The Brand`
mark may become dominant marketing strategy. When customers look into the
label only or the picture in the label.
(d).
Language Differences.
Some words may have different meanings in some language. Therefore it is
better to print the contents of label in the local and national language. If possible
in the international language English also.
In the matter of economic environment, a countrys infrastructure and the stage
of economic development are the key economic factors that affect the
attractiveness of a market and suggest the appropriate marketing strategy in the
Global Marketing Management.
1.6
POLITICAL AND LEGAL FACTORS.
In this area, the stability of government and its attitudes towards free trade is
more important. The major legal forces affecting global markets are the barriers
created by governments to restrict trade to protect domestic industries.
The following are some of such barriers.
a.
Tariff
This is normally a tax imposed on a product, entering a country. The tariffs are
used to protect the domestic producers. For example, Japan has a very high
tariff on imported rice.
b.
Import Quota
This is a limitation on the amount of a particular product that may be brought
into a country. Like tariffs, the quotas are also intended to protect the local
industries. For example U.S.A has promulgated a law called The Quantity
Restriction Act.
c.
Local content law
This is a regulation, specifying the particular proportion of a finished products
components and labour which must be provided by the importing country. For
example, to sell a Japanese Car in Taiwan, the car must be assembled in Taiwan.
A firm may import most of the products parts and buy some parts locally and
have the final product assembled locally. These laws are used, to provide jobs
and protect domestic industries.
1.8
TRADE AGREEMENTS
These trade agreements will reduce the trade barriers by giving preferential
treatment to the firms in the member ? countries. By analyzing the major trade
agreements, we can form an impression of the role they play in global
marketing.
a.
The General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT)
This agreement was created in 1948 to develop certain fair trade practices
among members. Presently, about 100 nations participate in its periodical
negotiations, on such issues like tariff reductions, import restrictions,
subsidization of industry by government etc.,
b.
The European Community (E.C.)
A political and economic alliance was evolved among to countries (France,
Italy, Belgium, West Germany, Luxembourg and Netherlands) under the Treaty
of Rome in 1957. This was otherwise known as the European Common Market.
The aim of the E.C. is a single market for its members which would permit the
free movement of goods, services, people and capital. The member ? countries
would be governed by the same set of rules for transporting goods, etc.,
c.
The European Free Trade Association (EFTA)
This association was formed in 1960, with a view to eliminate most of the trade
barriers between the member countries. In 1992, a treaty was reached between
EFTA and E.C. towards the single market concept.
d.
The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)
The Governments of U.S.A. and Canada have entered into an Agreement in
1989, with the intention of eliminating tariffs between them, for a period of 10
years.
Finally we would end lesson one by emphasizing that an understanding of the
environmental factors of global marketing is yet another important aspect for the
global marketer.
LESSON ? 2
International Pricing policies and strategies and promotion decisions.
2.1
Introduction
International pricing policies have, probably not been analysed as thoroughly as
product policies. For example, many global or international firms tend to apply
standard mark ? ups to sales anywhere in the world. This is too simplistic
because of the greater diversity of foreign markets, the different degrees of
government intervention, the cost escalation that builds into certain exports due
to the tariff and non ? tariff barriers and also the volatility of currencies.
Moreover the international pricing policies must consider the price` as the
essential part of global marketing strategy. Therefore the policy must be closely
related to the utilities created by the product, the promotional messages and the
channel structure. The international pricing policy covers export pricing as well
as transfer pricing. The latter is the pricing within an MNC global system or
between 2 firms which are not independent of each other; but inter ? dependant
of each other.
The international pricing policy covers all sources of funds and safeguarding of
monies. The exporter, here, is assumed to be marketing to an independent party
in a foreign country, Therefore, the exporter`s pricing policy is depending upon
the Demand curve, costs, and also the long ? term strategy. On one side is the
case of the very elstic demand curve, under the conditions of the intense
competitiveness in the global market palace. So, the exports must meet the
existing global price. Also the exporter faces an in elastic demand curve and
can use the cost ? plus method.
The common and more usual case, especially for the branded goods, is to go in ?
between the cost and the price. The demand in the world market place is elastic
because of profit competition in the world market place. Hence the world
market place prices are generally lowest and that the firm can be a price ? maker
in the domestic market and a price ? taker in the world market.
The international pricing policy process starts with the selection of the target
market. The next step is determining the market mix. The policy must be
consistent with the firms world ? wide objectives such as profit maximization.
The global marketing management deals with multiple sets of environmental
constrains, market factors and varying foreign exchange and inflation rates.
Hence, the prices, mark ? ups and other allowances will have to vary between
domestic and foreign and also between several foreign markets. The main
question regarding cost as a price ? determinant is whether to utilize full or
variable costs. Export sales are going to be a significant proportion of total
sales, the firm must recover full cost to remain profitable.
The international pricing policy should recognize that mere cost plus pricing
where plus is based on the firms usual profit margin is a defensive policy which
pays little attention to foreign demand.
The combined effect of cost factors and the international environment very
often, signifies that the consumer prices in some foreign markets are far in
excess of the exporters price in the domestic market. This phenomenon is called
as International price escalation. It can occur for several reasons, for example,
exporting to the less Developed countries (LDCs) where competition is low or
competition among foreign products with high quality images and consequently
high prices. Also, a product which is already at the maturity stage in the home
market may initially be introduced in a foreign market as a luxury product at a
high price. Kentucky`s blended whisky which s exported to West Germany and
Japan and the Perrier mineral water to the united states are best examples. As
is always seen, profiteering by middlemen could also cause high prices.
Frequently, a relatively large manufacturer ? exporter has to decide on what
price quotations to submit to foreign markets.
A recent survey showed that the cost plus export pricing is common among the
small North ? American manufacturers across a range of electronics, machinery,
and light industry. Some of the products were as common place as frozen
vegetables, fruits, windshield wipers, display shelves and kiosks, key blanks
and lock components and sets. Others were in the sectors of avionics, flight
simulators and petroleum exploration supplies.
However, a major firm usually adopts a more aggressive international pricing
policy which takes due consider action of demand and its selected inter national
marketing segments. It, then, develops its product positioning strategy which
encompasses pricing as a the key element in the international transactions. The
MNCs are involved in 2 specific types of international pricing policy as their
own strategy. One relates to pricing in each foreign market and the other relates
to intra ? firm pricing.
2.2
International pricing strategies
Introduction
The components of strategic planning process involve 4 sets of inter ? related
decisions. The first defines the business. The second determines the mission and
sets specific performance expectations. The third formulates functional
strategies and the fourth connects resource allocation and the required budget.
Also, the strategic planning deals with five areas such as the commitment,
market selection, mode of entry, marketing organization and marketing mix.
2.3
International Marketing Strategy
To develop a strategy, involves 4 sets of inter ? related decisions.
The first decision defines the business. This includes product and market scope,
as to what type of products are to be served? Which needs are to be satisfied?
and what technologies are to be used to satisfy these needs?
Evolving a strategy on the basis of these questions are related to products, The
strategy on market segmentation forms the market scope.
The Second decision is to determine the mission and set specific performance
expectations for each business and progammes across the International markets
in which the firm functions. This involves fixing the market ? share gains,
project etc.,
The third decision is to formulate functional strategies for international
Marketing, manufacturing, Research and Development (R&D) Service and
physical distribution.
The fourth decision includes the resource allocation and establishing the budget
for executing the plans.
2.4
Methods of entry, as a Strategy
The most important strategic decision in international marketing is the mode of
entering into the foreign market. There are many alternatives in between the
choice of a suitable alternative and the foreign market.
The important international market entry strategies are as shown below.
1.
Exporting
2.
Contract Manufacturing.
3.
Management contract.
4.
Assembly operations.
5.
Fully owned manufacturing
6.
Counter trade
7.
Strategies Alliance and
8.
Third country location
Besides, what is stated above, there are certain other avenues of strategy, like
joint ventures, joint ownership ventures, Merger and Acquisition etc.,
JOINT VENTURES
These have become very popular now ? a ? days. An international joint venture
is an association between 2 or more firms to carry on a separate local entity,
established and controlled by the participants. In the widest sense, any form of
association, which implies collaboration for more than a transitory period, is a
joint venture. There are different forms of joint venture.
JOINT OWNERSHIP VENTURE
In this venture, ownership and control are shared between a foreign firm and a
local firm. This may be brought about by a foreign investor baying an interest in
a local company, buying an interest in an existing operation of a foreign
company or by both the parties jointly forming a new company. It is a method
of overseas operation whereby a company in one country (the licensor) enters
into an agreement with a company in another country ( the licensee) to use
manufacturing, processing, trade mark or name, patent, technical assistance etc
provided by the licensor. In exchange, the licensee pays the licensor some
royalties or fees which are the major source of income to the licensor.
MERGERS AND ACQUISITIONS
This is considered to be the very important entry strategy as well as expansion
strategy. This provides the interact access to markets and the distribution net
work. For example, vijay Mallayas U.B.Group (Indian largest brewing and
distilling group) has acquired a small British company called Wiltshire brewary.
The attraction of Wiltshire for U.B. is that the former offers a ready made chain
of 40 public houses throughout England.
This could be used by U.B.Group to market its beer brands like King fisher and
U.B.Lager brands in U.K.There are also other advantages such as new
technology and reduction in the level of competition.
PROMOTION DECISIONS
INTRODUCTION
It is vital that interntional or global marketing managers understand the power
and the constraints of international promotion decision policy. International or
Global promotion policy determines the positioning of the product abroad.
The formulation of this technique is dependent, to an extent, on where the
product is in its life cycle in, particular markets. This is likely to vary between
different foreign markets, depending on the time of entry, market structure,
competitors and customers. Further, the effective implementation of promotion
decisions are the key points, for the success in the international marketing
programmes.
The coordinating and integrating of promotional mix elements with other
aspects of the marketing programme is often more difficult in foreign markets.
The type of promotional tools available and the media vehicles, plus existing
regulations are the parameters which limit what can be done. The international
marketer must know these parameters well.
Used in it wider sense, the promotion in international marketing covers
advertising, sales literature, trade fairs and other trade exhibitions, international
direct mail, publicity releases and point ? of ? purchase and other materials. It
also corers a very powerful promotion vehicle ? the sales forece. There are 2
parts.
The first part relates to the international advertising and the second part, to the
remainder of promotion. Prior to the 2 parts, we look at how the promotion
helps the product positioning. Part 1 comprises of sections. The first section
gives an overview of advertising Worldwide but concentrates an the major
countries. The second section comments on advertising in selected counties or
segments to yield a flavour of this medicines impact in various countries.
The third section discuses the aspects of standardization Vs adoption of
international advertising. The fourth section for focuses on the development of
an international advertising strategy. The fifth section deals with the
management of advertising function. The sixth section reviews the international
advertising research, and reviews the international advertising research. The
seventh section looks at the sales literature, trade fairs, direct mail and publicity
relases Also, it deals with the point of purchase promotion and includes an
example of a new foreign product launch, along with the international sales
force and their management.
2.5
Promotion and Products Positioning
In the early 1950s, only a very few brands competed in most product categories,
so a little hard-sell TV advertising would generally result in the increase in sales.
In the 1960s, more products were being introduced through TV advertising. The
hard-sell competition for a smaller market share of each market caused
marketers to seek new methods of communication to differentiate their products.
The idea grew that each brand has to have its own image. ESSO`s put a Tiger
in your Tank used an animated tiger to build an image for an unromantic
product like gasoline, but imitations crowded in and eventually brought an end
to the image ? era of the 1960s.
Then came, the concept of product positioning ? promotion policy can help in
such positions. The concept positioning emphasizes marketing and promotion
technique but includes creativity. Two classic North ? American examples are
Seven up the uncola and the Avis rental car we are 2 campaigns. The
positioning concept, however, is yet to be used extensively on a multi-national
basis, although it has helped those who have tried it. To illustrate, the seven up
introduced the Wet and wild campaign it failed.
Marketing research revealed that even though consumers know seven-up was a
soft drink, they could not differentiate it. Since coke and pepsi accounted for a
40% share, and both promoted a similar image, the word cola` became generic
to mean soft drink. As cola occupied the leading soft drink position in
consumers minds, seven up had to differenhafe itself in terms as an alternative to
Cola the Uncola. It succeeded.
The Uncola campaign could not be exported because the slogan could not be
translated into other languages and still retain its special meaning. But J.Walter
Thompson, the advertising agency, created an unusual character who lived in a
little green box. The activity of this amusing visual device cut across may levels
of sophistication to develop a styole, very distinctive from cola. In effect the
uncola compaign strategy was being used on a multi ? national basis, but
through the little green box.
In the second year of campaign, the green box impact was tested in 10 selected
national markets compared to sales over the same period in 10 other markets of
roughly similar siz which used different advertising or promotional material,
The difference was significant, even after adjustments were made for market
variations.
LESSON ? 3
Complexities and issues and International Advertisement.
3.1
Introduction
It is common knowledge that Internation Marketing has received an increased
attention from Governments and Business firms in the four decades since the
end of the second world war. Exports are growing year by year. In this context it
is very much imperative and essential to understand the special features of
international or global marketing, its basis, its benefits, important and especially
the complexities and the issues arising from such complexities.
Every country is an independent sovereign and hence each Government enacts
its own legislation, the order to control its foreign trade. Proteeting the domestic
industries, in the eye of cut-throat competition is much more important than
importing goods from outside. International Marketing has to cross many
barriers, arising from many factors. Similarly, the foreign exchange regulations,
such as the Quantity Regulation Act are a big hurdle. To add to this, there
will be considerable controls on financing of overseas operations. Likewise the
human needs and wants will have different attributes in international markets.
3.2
Competition within and without the country
By competition within, we mean that, within the exporting country, there may
be a lot of other organizations exporting the same goods to the same same
countries. For example, after the tenth five year plan, India has made a
significant advertisement in the production of electronic goods and computer
software. When India tries to export these goods, especially to the fully
developed countries like, U.S.A., U.K., CANADA AND FRANCE she has to
face competition from Japan and other countries who are already exporting such
goods to these countries.
There are only 2 strategies to be adopted for attracting the foreign markets ? one
is produce goods of high quality and durability and the other is to fix a
competitive price in the export market. In this connection we may recall the
famous Devaluation of Indian Rupee on 6th June 1966, reducing voluntarily the
value of one Indian Rupee by 36.5 percent, This is for the export market only.
The net favourable result was that the importing countries which had to pay 100
paise per Rupee upto 5th June 1966, had to pay only 63.5 paise. When they pay
127 paise (Rs.1.27) they get 2 units of the same goods (Just for 27 paise more
according to the previous position)
It is said that this Devaluation of 6.6.`66 has brought wonderful and magical
effect on India`s Exports. All the produced goods stocked unsold were sold like
hot cakes within a period of 3 months. The producers were rid of the
botheration of paying bank interest and installment dues (When the goods are
not exported).
Competition without or outside the country is more dangerous, i.e., instead of
fighting at home, we are fighting outside the home country. This is the case of
cocacola and Pepsi. They both are multimillionaire giants in U.S.A., but they
are fighting with each other in their foreign market. As already mentioned the
competition outside the country is more cruel and more expensive. There are 2
ways ? one is giving new Brand Names for their own additional products like
Fanta etc., changing the colour of the content ? e.g. from original black plus
orange Blue and Green (for the by-product Fanta etc.)
Price ? wise also they have to compete Pepsi and Cocacola are the 2 main
players in the soft-drinks market in India. One company is carefully watching
the other in the matter of advertisement, size and shape of bottle and other steps
in sales promotion. To cite one example, if cocacola presents a visible door
refrigerator to its dealers, immediately Pepsi follows the some technique.
Similarly in the case of painting their name in the name of the dealers. This
kind of watching, what the competitor does, by way of sales promotion, by one
producer and then copying the same for their goods is called as GAME
THEORY in Marketing Management. In the matter of global marketing
management, it is done in every country to which they export. To sum up, the
exporters are fighting, not in their own native country, but in a foreign country
for example, the 2 U.S.A. manufacturers (Cocacola and Pepsi) are fighting with
each other in all other countries, (Outside U.S.A.) where they sell their
products.
These activities cause a big blow on their finance in such countries. As they both
are MNCS they transfer the sales - profit of one country to another and then they
balance. Their annual Balance sheet is for their international market sales. They
look at the total net project from their global operation (and not in individual
country`s operation). This is possible only for multinational companies.
3.3
International Advertising
International Advertising Standardisation
For the study of the Global Marketing Management, a scrutiny of developing
international advertising strategy is necessary. The central issue in the
development of international advertising strategy is the extent to which the
advertising should be standardized or adopted to the local needs.
Therefore, a Two ? Tier advertising strategy has become possible. The first
tier comprises of standard ads crossing the borders through international
magazines such as Time, Newsweek, the Economist, Asia Magazine, playboy
etc.,
The second are similar type of ads` in the local media and outdoor or transit
sites in urban communities. This latter advertising should look very familiar to
the visitors from abroad, but it should also look local and use the domestic
language in its messages.
International advertisers are well aware that the visual elements in the
advertising designs and logos encourage the international familiarity which is
effective across national cultures while it actives cost ? efficiencies.
International campaigns should be with a more common theme.
In Sum, the following factors influence the need for declaration in international
advertising.
1.
Market Criteria
Low competition, dis ? similar demographics, sparse distribution and low
industrialization make the market criteria more effective.
2.
Cultural Criteria
Cultural taboos, religious barriers towards foreign firms, culture ? bound, as
supposed to cosmopolitan outlook will make the cultural criteria.
3.
Media Criteria
This pertains to the dis ? similar media from others, in the home market.
4.
Other Criteria
High importance for price ? factor, low levels of advertising acceptance, highly
subjective and concepts, and high emotional appeal in the ads do fall under this
criteria.
Most of the MNCs use these kinds of standardized ads. Nestle, used its
standardized fresh ground aroma appeal in several countries when it launched
its New Nescafe in the early 1960`s. Moreover, to accommodate the differences
in the different national tastes, the Instant Coffee was brewed in 40 different
varieties.
Goodyear has a universal advertising campaign which uses the basic
international appeals of tyre safety, durability and road ? holding ability.
These examples point to the fact that market segments are growing up across
nations, to which the appeals can be made.
However, Standardising requires care. Language translations present a problem
? symbols in illustrations must be carefully chosen, so that they do not offend
traditions, customs, religious and other related cultural features of different
societies, In Malaysia, a consumer product coloured green failed to sell
because green suggested illness. Japanese never like black colour, because
Lord Budda, according to them, was against black colour.
To some Americans yellow colour suggest cowardice. In Holland, Blue
colour is considered as feminine, and warm, whereas, in contrast, the Swedish
people associate Blue colour for Masculinity and coldness. Union Carbide was
advised by its agency, not to advertise a money ? back guarantee in Europe.
Generally the Consumers become suspicious whenever they see the money ?
back guarantee.
3.4
Pattern and Prototype Standardisation.
In pattern campaign, the overall theme, slogan and samples of art ? work,
advertisement copy and merchandise materials are developed to provide the
uniformity in direction. The Campaign is designed for use in multiple markets.
What
is
new
in
pattern
Standardisation
is
that
it
is
a
pre ? planned effort to provide many or all the benefits attributed to
Standardisation. In prototype standardization, the same ad is used in multiple
markets with the only difference being the language translation.
Generally, some people feel that the prototype standardization could be
effectively employed for industrial goods. However, even for these products,
the advertiser must recognize the differences in product line, size of market,
media availability and degree of ownership influences on the actual amount of
standardization used.
Standardised International Advertising strategy.
An advertising programme designed to respond to market similarities could
develop to become a source of major international synergy. The particular
benchmark design developed by Colgate ? Palmolive is based on the seven
P principles outlined below.
1.
Positioning ? position the product within a specific market segment.
2.
Promise competitiveness ? identification of consumer benefits.
3.
Point of differences - products` differential advantage.
4.
Platform ? identification of media priority ? Communication of one
or two most motivating product attributes.
5.
Priority ? Communication of one or two most motivating product
attributes.
6.
Proof ? show effectiveness of product and
7.
presentation ? define important presentation characteristics.
Colgate`s advertising strategy for tooth ? paste in western Europe is
standardized in two different benchmarks. One, which is most widely used, has
positioned. Colgate as a therapentie and anti ? cavity tooth ? paste in all counties
where the consumer ? awareness of the therapeutic attributes of the product is
high.
The other benchmark appeals to the cosmetic benefits of fresh ? taste and clean
mouth and is used in those countries which have larger, more promising
cosmetic segments. In contrast Unilever has standardized across Europe
through 2 distinct products. Signal and close ? up are both utilising single
themes all over western Europe, appealing to the other therapeutic and cosmetic
segments respectively. Colgate used some different brand names in order to take
advantage of linguistics. It is used as Dentagard in West Germany, Spain and
Switzerland and as odorant in Greece.
Advertising for Shampoo
The international marketers feel that the basic motivation of consumers in laying
a shampoo generally reflects the desire to have healthy and beautiful hair. When
Bristol introduced Clairol. Herbal shampoo, with its natural ingredieur
benchmark, it had a great suceess in North America. This example was followed
by Johnson and Johnson which developed the baby shampoo and sunsilk the 2
brands whose concepts were communicated across western Europe.
In the toilet soaps, international advertising trends are standardized. There are 4
market segments ? cosmetics / beauty deodarant, mildness / skin care and
freshness, Lux was connected with film stars, unibrer`s Rexona was positional
across western Europe on a common theme as a deodorizing soap and it is also
becoming a major brand. Colgates Irish Spring succeeded in the U.S. but
failed in western Europe.
To facilitate the process through creative communication, some suggestions
worth consideration follow.
1.
Consumer Orientation is preferable to product orientation
2.
The concept presentation should be developed within the simplest
possible structure.
3.
The consumer should feel rapport with the characters in the situation
presented in the ad and
4.
A literal translation of appeal should be avoided. The concept can be
generally conveyed with minor copy adaptations.
MANAGEMENT OF ADVERTISING FUNCTION
The standardized approach is of key importance in the advertising function. It is
a part of managerial function. The management has to consider the following
areas, (1) Objectives advocacy (2) image building, (3) Budgets, (4) Overall
strategy (5) Creative strategy (6) Media strategy (7) Control organization (8)
Agency Relationship and (9) The general regulations. In the international firm,
the variety of objectives will be diverse.
Most of the MNCs that choose to centalise control over advertising and to make
the least adaptation are likely to lean towards having one agency throughout the
world. The regulatory impact on advertising is a matter of major concern for the
MNCs. International advertising must be tied to international market planning.
Goodyears Development of its international Advertising Campaign.
Goodyear International Corporation decided to develop an international pattern
advertising campaign. However Goodyear marketing management has allowed
to pattern standardization concepts to the be modified by subsidiary managers to
ensure a high level cooperation and adequate response to local differences.
The Head office, along with its network ad agency, work directly with both the
agencies in the host countries and the firms local subsidiary representations.
International advertising is necessary for promoting sales globally. For the
success of any organization, producing and selling, advertising in international
magazines will work as a strong backbone for the firms Global Marketing
Management.
Now ? a ? days, the concept of Multi National Corporation has spread its wings
globally. What is produced, invented or patented in one corner of the earth, will
be spread all over the world within a very short period. Probably, based an all
these efforts, the world is rightly called as the Global Village.
LESSON ? 4
4.1
PERSONAL SELLING AND SALE PROMOTION
INTRODUCTION
Philip Kotler is of the opinion that personal selling involves oral presentation in
a conservation with one or more prospective purchasers, for the purpose of
making sales. Like advertising, personal selling is also a method of
Communication. It is a two way form of Communication. It involves individual
and social behaviour. It is also a face ? to ? face conversation. Personal selling
influences the buyers to buy a product.
Personal selling reaches the goal of marketing effort i.e., purpose is to bring the
right products into contact with the right customers. Personal selling creaters
product awareness, stimulates interest, develops brand preferences, negotiable
price etc.,
4.2
OBJECTIVES OF PERSONAL SELLING.
1.
To do the entire job.
2.
To Serve the existing customers.
3.
To search out and obtain new customers.
4.
To secure and maintain customers cooperation in stocking and
promoting the product line.
5.
To keep the customers well informed of changes in the product line.
6.
To assist the customers in selling the product line.
7.
To provide technical advice and assistance to customers.
8.
To handle the sales personnel of middlemen.
9.
To provide advice and assistance to middlemen wherever needed
and.
10.
To collect and report market information in interested matters to the
company management by periodical returns and in meetings.
QUANTITATIVE OBJECTIVES
1.
To obtain a specified sales volume.
2.
To obtain the sales volume in certain ways that contribute to profit
objectives, by selling proper mix of products.
3.
To keep the personal selling expenses within a specified limit and
4.
To secure and retain a specified share of the market.
Based on all the above points salesmanship becomes a key factor in personal
selling by the sales force of the company. The expressions like Personal
selling and Salesmanship are often used interchangeably but thee is an
important difference.
Personal selling is a broader concept. Salesmanship in only an important part.
Along with the other key marketing elements such as pricing, advertising,
product development and research, marketing channels and physical
distribution, the personal selling` is a means through which marketing
programmes are implemented. The very purpose of personal selling is to bring
the right products into right contact with the right customers and the ownership
transfer.
As defined by the author stork it is a direct, face ? to face, seller ? to ? buyer
influence which can Communicate the facts, necessary for marketing a buying
decision or it can utilize the psychology of persuasion to encourage the
formation of a laying decision. Apart from the knowledge of the product a
salesman has to be a psychologist with one prospect, a human computer with
another, an adviser to another, and a friend with the buyers, salesmanship may
be implemented, not only through personal selling but also through
advertisement. Therefore, advertising` has been described as Salesmanship in
print.
Salesmanship is the art of influencing people. It is like Contractors, teachers,
Ministers, authors, politicians, Industrial engineers and others.
It is pertinent and not out of place to quote hereunder the famous American
Statement.
He who works with his hands is a labourer He who works
with his hands and his head is a craftsman.
He who works with his hands, head and heart is an artist ? but
He who works with hands, head, heart and feet is a Salesman
A Salesman is not born, but made
4.3
Importance of Salesmanship
1.
Importance to Producers.
For pushing the products into the competitive market.
To Capture new markets.
To increase the sales volume
To bring larger profits to producers
To give suggestions, impressions and complaints of the consumers.
Create extra demand.
To increase thereby, employment.
Opportunity as well as personal incomes.
2.
Importance to Consumers.
Salesman educates and guides the consumers, He gives them more satisfaction
consumes are right is the motto in marketing. As such the sales man gives
more importance to the consumers. He helps the consumers in making the right
decision and proper selection of the products which they want to buy.
Salesmanship increases the rate of turnover. And hence reduces the unsold
stock. This minimizes the economic stagnation. So, the consumers can select
the best products according to their requirements, taste and money.
4.4
Qualities of A Good Salesman.
1.
Sound Health.
A Salesman must have a good posture when he meets the prospective buyers.
Sound health and good physique are essential for a business salesman. The
Travelling Salesman needs good health to travel many places, eating different
varieties of food, to face the different kinds of whether conditions, because
health is wealth. A salesman, without a sound health fails to carry out his
duties. A sound mind occupies a sound body.
2.
Good Appearance.
The outward appearance makes some impressions n the mind of the customers.
A good looking salesman, in a neat dress, with a pleasing appearance will
succeed in computering the minds of the consumers. Cleanliness is important
for a better look. He must have a cheerful smiling face, which is considered as
the mirror of his mind.
3.
Good Posture
The way or the style of holding the body is another controllable factor. A
defective posture makes his appearance unwanted. He must display a good
posture while standing or sitting and while walking his head must be kept erect.
4.
Pleasing Voice
The Voice is very important. The voice is the index of ones own feelings. The
words uttered by him should be clear, pleasant and sweet.
THE MENTAL QUALITIES
1.
Quick Action
A Salesman must be alert and quick in action. He has to meet may people of
different temperament. He must have the mentality to face any situation and be
ready to answer any question. He should not be absent ? minded. He must have
a quick thought of answering ? what to say, how to say and how to tackle the
situation etc, without throwing away the Customers.
2.
Imagination
The possession of a rich imagination is of great help in solving problems. The
salesman has to imagine things from the point of view of the Consumers. He
becomes consumer ? oriented and tackles the difficulties and problems of the
consumers. He should put himself in the buyer`s position.
3.
Self ? Confidence.
A confident man never fails. He has the confidence in his own work, capacity
and power. Confidence makes him optimistic and enthusiastic. He engages or
talks with a Customer. Makes him believe and the Customer acts on his
suggestions. Experience and knowledge are the lease for confidence.
4.
Enthusiasm
It makes the work of a seller Pleasant. Enthusiastic talk is always listened to by
people. It gains interest and confidence of buyers and in turn, more sales,
thereby the profit enhances, apart from satisfaction of the firm.
5.
Observation
A Salesman should have a keen sense of observation. He must have an upto
date knowledge of the products and the changes is style and fashions, attitudes
of competitors and Government etc, to make a clever salesman. When a
customer enters into his shop, an experienced salesman can imagine the chances
of a sale by a look at his face.
4.5
Sales Promotion
Definition
According to the American Marketing Association, Sales promotion is those
marketing activities, other than personal selling, advertising and publicity, that
stimulate consumer purchasing and the dealer effectiveness such as display
shows, expositions, demon - stations and various non ? recurrent selling efforts
which are not in the ordinary routine.
According to george W.Hopkins, Sales promotion is an organized effort
applied to the selling job to secure the greatest effectiveness for advertising and
for dealers help.
The major function of sales promotion is to serve as a connecting link or a
bridge between advertising and personal selling, which are the 2 wings of
promotion.
PURPOSE OF SALES PROMOTION
The basic purpose of sales promotion is to disseminate information to the
potential customers. The sellers use incentive ? type promotions to attract
customer and to increase the re ? purchase rates of occasional users. Sales
Promotions yield faster responses in sales than advertising. Sales Promotion is
considered as a special selling effort to accelerate sales.
IMPORTANCE OF SALES PROMOTION
Now ? a ? days, the amount spent in sales promotion equals the amount spent
on advertising. Sales Promotion increases according to the changing market
environment. The importance increases due to new ideas for favourable
consideration of selling promoting sales and future expansion.
4.6
Objectives of Sales Promotion
1.
To increase buying response at the Consumers level.
2.
To increase the sales effort of dealers and sales personnel.
3.
To attract new customers.
4.
To inform the public abut the new product and its specialties, attraction,
and advantages.
5.
To capture the major share of the market
6.
To enable a favourable attitude towards the product.
7.
To simplify the job of middlemen.
8.
To meet the competition of other firms.
9.
To effect off ? season sales to boost the total sales.
10.
To stock more at the level of traders, through whom aggressive sales can
be effected.
11.
To stimulate the demand by popular using of the products.
12.
To establish and maintain communications with large market segments.
13.
To keep the memory of the product alive in the minds of the buyers.
14.
To create brand images.
15.
To create additional talking points to sales persons.
16.
To remove customers dissatisfaction.
17.
To bridge the gap between advertising and personal selling
18.
To retraining the lost account.
Sales promotion encourages quick movements of products along with the
channel distribution. It gives extra inclusive to consumers, dealers and
salesmen, and thereby producers push out maximum products.
All the manufacturers use various sales forces to maintain the current sales and
more particularly to increase the volume of sales for their products. All vigorous
efforts to sell more products by widening the market result in aggressive selling.
The aggressive sales can be gained by utilizing the various sales promotions,
described is lesson. These promotions will facilitate the progress of the
organization as a whole.
LESSON ? 5
INTERNATIONAL PUBLIC RELATIONS
INTRODUCTION
5.1
Why International Public Relation is important ?
Public Relations is in the business of altering or negotiating relationships
between organizations and other nations. Moreover, because of the professions
research skills, public relations serves as the eyes, ears and the voice of
organizations. When the organizations move into the global economy, the
practioners will need to adjust to see, listen and speak to global publics. An
Internationalization of public relations is both an opportunity and a analyse for
professionals.
Public Relations has opportunities to positively affect the developing nations of
the world through participation in development communication (newson, carrel
& kruck berg 1993) Nathan ? binding (Taylor 1998) and advocating war
between states (Kunezik 1990) and advocating war between states (Kunezik
1990 and Signitzer & coombs 1992)
Global Public Relations.
5.2
Sri Ramesh and white (1992) suggested that Global Public Relations
will have to neglect the cultural and social norms of the host nation. This
will create a unique Public Relations situations in every society.
Languages, probably, will present other problems. Corporate slogans,
marketing and other advertising themes and the translation of
organizational materials, all will need to be checked and re ? checked for
global audiences. Everyone remembers the NOVA, by Chevrolet and
its demise in South America. It is only by research and cultural
awareness that this situation will not happen again.
CONTEXTUALISED RESEARCH
This has described the practices of public relations in diverse countries of the
world. Hiehert (1994) explored advertising and public relations in the nation of
Hungary and observed that public relations, as a profession is aften mis ?
interpreted as advertising, Helibert reported that employee relations and internet
communications are becoming even more important than public and media
relations, because OF CROSS - .............. Communication problems.
According to HIebert, two change agents ? new technology and public relations
are influencing the nature of public. Communication in former Communist
states. In Hierbusfs vision of the post ? communist world, public relations
generate information through new media technologies and this information
contributes to development.
Next, Haug and Koppang (1997) explored the proliferation of certain practices
in Europe and noted that governments in Western European Nations affect
private Corporations in may ways. Because of large public sector spending, the
inter ? twine of private business and government, the enormity of red ? tape, and
a system of government subsidies, there is a growing need for the corporations
to use lobbying as a tool to gain maximum influence. Lobbying is conducted
by the Chief Executive officers and the Public Relations Managers.
PEDAGOGY AND ETHICS
5.3
This educational approach to global public relations has examined the
various bodies of knowledge that guide practioners in other parts of the
world. For example, Public relations education and training in India
have been explored. Newsom and carrel (1994) reported that public
relations education in India suffers from a short supply of qualified
teachers. Public Relations Courses are taught in Open Universities
that serve office and industrial workers. One of the major causes for
concern in Indian public relations education is the lack of professors
with experience and exposure to the Communication theory and
behavioural services.
These discussions of pedagogy and ethics in global public relations not only
strengthen our understanding of public relations in the international settings but
also strengthen our understanding of other countries` educational and ethical
issues.
Exploring presupposition
5.4
The final stage of global public relations scholarship identified in the
literature isthe pre-supposition path. J Gruning (1989) argued that the
field of public relations should carefully examine the pre-suppositions to
understand where the field currently is, and more important, where it is
going. The area of global public relations is not except from this
introspection and some scholars have looked beyond the U.S.
understanding of public relations to question the assumptions underlying
Cross ? cultural public relations theory and practices.
For example, Botan (1992) discussed how culturally based assumptions obscure,
how they can help organizations to better understand their publics. Conflict as
a function of public relations can make sure that unfair policies are changed
lest it is also is the loss of time and energy. Either way, simoes argued that
relationships between organisations and publics create political dimensions to
organisational decisions.
Banks (1995) also offered scholars` and practitioners` suggestions for improved
inter ? cultural public relations. Banks suggested that public relations
assumptions has to be flexible and adaptable to whatever the inter ? cultural
situation presented.
Effective public relations in Multinational organisations :
The convergence of financial markets, technologies and communication is
festering unprecedented interaction between people and societies. The world
becomes a more and more inter ? dependent as we seek solutions to global
problems, such as the environment, health, human rights and other mutual
challenges. But, although the interaction of diverse cultural groups can faster
harmony, theory also can produce opposite effect such as more entrenched
stereotypes and increased suspicious, misunderstandings, tribalism and conflict.
The evolution of public relations in multinationals:
In the past, those who operated in foreign environments relied in their own
intention. But intention, devoid of any reliable road maps can result in mistakes
that jeopardise millions of dollars in revenues (Harris & Moran 1991 P.21).
To avoid these calamities, the global public relations people must be guided by
sound knowledge about cross ? cultural practice. They must know how to
maintain consistent communication and project their entities` reputation around
the world. At the same time, the multinationals need to understand the nuances
of public relations between countries, or even in different regions within
countries and how misunderstandings of those nuances can bring problems in
global scale.
Unfortunately, public relations and other human elements of organizations have
lagged behind as international evaluation followed the bottom- line demands of
markets, production and finance. Organisations typically conducted
Worldwide management of people as if neither the external economic and
technological environment nor the internal structure and organization of the firm
had changed. (Adler 1997 p.5)
Lacking international savvy, the managers usually resort to one of the two
approaches to international public relations, Some merely extend their domestic
practices to other countries with a few minor modifications. This approach
ignores the subtle factors in other cultures that mandate departures from the
traditional programmes.
The reminder of this lesson, sets forth a discussion on how to make public
relations effective within the multinational. Through this explanation, the lesion
should contribute to the literature an international public relations. It starts with
a discussion of how domestic and international public relations are both similar
to and different from each other.
5.5
Simulations between Domestic and International.
Public Relations
There is a mounting evidence that many of the basics of public relations are
more or less universal. The specific tactics certainly change from country to
country, but strategic public relations seems to be valued among practitioners
worldwide, at least in the surface, some form of media relations occurs almost
every where, as do advertising, promotional, communication with targeted
publics, issues and management, and a growing amount of community relations,
often, these functions have been introduced by multinational corporations and
public relations firms or by local practitioners who were educated in the united
states or united kingdom.
But, perhaps, the greatest argument comes from why public relations exists in
the first place. All crudities whether domestic or multinational strive to preserve
their reputation from internal or external threats. They all try to identify and
build relationships with vital publics. They anticipate problems and seek to
eliminate them or reduce the adverse effects. They want to be like coca ? cola,
whose logo is globally consistent and for example, is recognized by 80% of all
consumers in China. Such goals are basic to any organization and never should
be decentralized, whether domestic or international.
5.6
A Comprehensive Approach For Balancing Global And Local Public
Relations.
It seems possible, then to reconcile the apparent contradiction that international
and domestic public relations are both similar and different. All public relations
should exist to preserve a consistent reputation and build relationships. These
over all goals must be similar throughout the world, but they can be fulfilled in
different ways from one culture to the next. Achieving these goals is much more
difficult in global arena due to cultural and language
differences, regulatory environments, political and economic systems, media
and other local variables, that must be considered. But with a proper
organizational thinking, it is possible to respond to all of these factors, while at
the same time pre-serving the local and global mandates.
5.7
Effective public relations in multinationals.
When talking about international public relations, there is no one list of
prescription. All multinational entities work in the same global arena, but each
has its unique traits and challenges. For example, a few corporations are huge
and dispersed whereas others are in relatively few countries. Many are product
oriented, whereas others are in the service mode, companies in the heavy
manufacturing industries can face significantly more activism than can those in
technology.
Despite these differences, we believe that certain minimum standards must exist
within any multinational organization for it to be effective in its public relations.
So, the remaining parts of this lesson, risk on proposing some of these minimum
standards. Some managers might say that the guidelines do not apply to their
organizations, but the suggestions that follow should offer possible foundations
and road maps to start taking international practitioners beyond the dangerous
realm of intuition. So, in general, what comprises effective public relations in
the Multi-National entity.
5.8
CONCLUSION
As should now be apparent, there are many challenges in creating effective
public relations for the multi-national entity. Those, just listed really are just a
few of the major organizational challenges. It is not as easy as extending
traditional domestic activities into the global realm. To be effective, as
described, multi-national public relations presupposes qualified personnel. A
team leader should be well versed in international issues and events, skilled in
cultural integration and knowledgeable about public relations. Local officers
should be experienced in local public relations.
SELF ? ASSESSMENT QUESTIONS (SAQS)
1.
Define export pricing
2.
High prices will combine with a high Quality image ? Do you agree?
3.
Environmental analysis is an important jobs for the international
marketer Explain.
4.
What do you understand by International marketing strategy?
5.
Explain the important steps to be taken for methods of entry, as a
strategy
6.
Explain joint ownership venture
7.
Competition outside the country is more dangerous ? Comment
8.
What is meant by International Advertising standardization?
9.
Suggest some measures to facilitate creative communication with other
countries
10.
What are the objectives of Personal selling?
11.
Bring out the importance of salesmanship
13.
Explain why International public relations is important
14.
Explain the evolution of public relations in multinationals.
15.
What do you understand by the term Effective Public Relations?
SUMMARY
Price for any product is fixed an the general average of both high and low
quotations. The selling price is the total of cost of production or cost of purchase
and the level of project margin.
The price paid should be equal to the satisfaction obtained, a per the concept of
consumer`s surplus. The pricing decision depends upon environment,
especially the political environment. A price-marker in the domestic market is
the Price-taker in export market. Various trade agreements help the global
community to help each other in international trade.
International marketing strategy depends an what types of products are to be
served, which needs are to be satisfied and what technologies are to be used to
satisfy the needs.
The complexities of global marketing management make many hurdles like
Quantity regulation Act of U.S. etc. An exporter has to face the competitions,
both in the domestic and international markets. The Devaluation of India was
made with effect from 06.06.1966. The importing countries which had to pay
100 paise per Rupee upto 05.06.1966, had to pay only 63.5 paise from the next
day.
Personal selling is the best way to promote high sales. Salesmanship becomes a
key-factor in personal selling, because salesmanship is the art of influencing
people. A salesman`s top quality is enthusiasm.
The global or international public relation create a good situation for maximum
international business. Language presents a peculiar problem. Corporate
slogans, marketing themes and translation in other local language - all these are
necessary. On the label of the product ? both the local language of the importing
country and the international language must be printed.
ANSWER KEY
Price is the common element in deciding both Demand and supply.
A full analysis of the environment, especially the political environment, must be
made before exporting any product to any country.
In international marketing strategy, the Cost plus method will be useful
The exporters should meet the competition from within and without.
Every country likes a particular colour of the label.
Personal selling is always better than advertisement ? selling.
Effective public relations is necessary to boost the export in The Global Market.
More and more advertisement will facilitate more and more global business.
REFERENCES
1.
Czubjita M.R. International Marketing ? Drydon Press, BOSTON
2.
Fayer weather Internation Marketing ? Prentice Hall ? New Delhi
3.
Jain S.C. International Marketing ? CBS Publications ? New Delhi
4.
Keegan Warren J.Global Marketing Management ? Prentice Hall New
Delhi
5.
Orkuisih, Sak and John.S.Shaw _ International Marketing Analysis
and strategy ? Prentice Hall, New Delhi.
6.
Robert L.Heath ? Hand Book of Public Relations ? Sage Publications
India (P) Ltd., M32, Market, Greater Kailash I, New Delhi ? 110 048.
7.
Philip Lesly, Lesly`s Public Relations Hand Book Prentice Hall Inc,
Englewood, New Jersy U.S.A.
UNIT V
GLOBAL MARKETING MANAGEMENT
LESSON NO. 1:
DISTRIBUTION CHANNELS
STRUCTURE
1.1
Introduction
1.2
Meaning of Channel of Distribution
1.3
Types of Channels
1.4
Channel Structure and Selection
1.5
Summary
1.6
Questions for Discussion
OBJECTIVES
After studying the lesson you should be able to understand the different
forms of distribution like institutional and physical in global marketing;
to describe the different channels of distribution and show their
advantages and disadvantages and, to illustrate the importance and role
of channels of distribution in global marketing.
1.1
INTRODUCTION
'Distribution' is one of the four aspects of marketing. A distributor is the
middleman between the manufacturer and retailer. After a product is
manufactured by a supplier/factory, it is typically stored in the
distributor's warehouse. The product is then sold to retailers or
customers. The other three parts of the marketing mix are product
management, pricing, and promotion.
Distribution has two elements, the institutional and the physical. Whilst
most agricultural exports from developing countries are either in a
"primary" format (for example cotton, maize) or "finished" format (for
example flowers, vegetables) increasing attention is being put on
"processed" or "added value" formats. This means that, whereas in the
former, exporters are in the hands of agents, merchants or other
middlemen, in the latter much more needs to be understood of the
channel itself. The more is known about the end user and the channel to
reach him/her the better equipped will be the exporter to understand and
meet the needs and also to perhaps gain more of the exported added
value. It is a fact in flowers; for example, that these are sold on from the
Dutch market to the Far East, where the price commanded is much more
than the original exporter price. If the original exporter could participate
in this channel, the greater would be the return. The longer the channel;
the more likely that producer profits will be indirectly reduced. This is
because the end product's price may be too expensive to sell in volume,
sufficient for the producer to cover costs. If the cutting of channel length
is impossible as per the country`s infrastructure requirements then it may
be beneficial for international consumers and sellers.
1.2
MEANING OF CHANNEL OF DISTRIBUTION
There may be a chain of intermediaries, each passing the product down
the chain to the next organization, before it finally reaches the consumer
or end-user. This process is known as the 'distribution chain' or, rather
more exotically, as the 'channel'. Each of the elements in these chains
will have their own specific needs; which the producer must take into
account, along with those of the all-important end-user.
A channel is an institution through which goods and services are
marketed. Channels give place and time utilities to consumers. In order
to provide these and other services, channels charge a margin. The
longer the channel the more margins are added. Channels are an
integrative part of the marketer's activities and as such are very
important. They also give a very vital information flow to the exporter.
The degree of control one has over a channel depends on the channel
type, which is employed.
1.3
TYPES OF CHANNELS
There are many types of channel members relevant to global marketing.
1.3.1 Brokers
Brokers do not take title to the goods traded but link suppliers and
customers. They are commonly found in international markets and
especially agricultural markets. Brokers have many advantages, not least
of which is they can be less costly overall for suppliers and customers.
(i)
They are better informed by buyers and or sellers;
(ii)
They are skilled socially to bargain and forge links between
buyers and sellers;
(iii)
They bring the "personal touch" to parties who may not
communicate with each other;
(iv)
They bring economies of scale by accumulating small suppliers
and selling to many other parties;
(v)
They stabilise market conditions for a supplier or buyer faced
with many outlets and supply sources.
1.3.2 Personalised Trading Networks
Frequently, relationships may be built up between a buyer and a seller, in
which over time as confidence grows, unwritten and informal
understandings develop. These relationships reduce information,
bargaining, monitoring and enforcement costs. Often, as relationships
build, then trust develops which may become proxy for laws. Flexibility
ensues which often means priorities or "favours" can be expedited. Trust
and reciprocity can enable trade to develop in unstable economic
circumstances, but both parties are aware the relationship can be
undermined through opportunistic behaviour. The Kenyan fresh
vegetable industry is a classic example of personalised trading networks
enabling international trade between Kenya suppliers and their familial
(often Asian) buyers in the United Kingdom.
1.3.3 Associations, Voluntary Chains, Cooperatives
Associations, voluntary chains and cooperatives can be made up of
producers, wholesalers, retailers, exporters and processors who agree to
act collectively to further their individual or joint interests. Members
may have implicit or exclusive contracts, membership terms and
standard operating procedures. These forms of coordination have a
number of advantages:
(i)
They counter the "lumpy investment" phenomenon by spreading
the cost of investment among members;
(ii)
They can reduce or pool members' risks by bulk buying,
providing insurance and credits, pooling market prices and risk;
(iii)
They lower transaction costs of members through arbitration of
disputes, provision of market information systems, been a first
stop for output;
(iv)
They can reduce marketing costs through the provision of
promotion, protection of qualities and monitoring members'
standards;
(v)
They can act as a countervailing power between buyers and
producers.
This is very important where supermarkets in the UK, for example, are
now buying in such quantities that they are dictating terms to suppliers.
Developing countries do not have a history of good cooperative
development, primarily because of poor management, financial
ineptitude and over-reaching themselves. However, the Bombay Milk
Scheme in India is working very well. The latter has been very
successful in going into value added processing as well.
1.3.4 Contracting
Contracting represents an intermediate institutional arrangement between
spot market trading and vertical integration. Marketing and production
contracts allow a degree of continuity over a season, cycle or other
period of time, without the "instantaneous" of spot trading. The two main
types of contract are:
(i)
Forward Markets: These involve commitments by buyers and
sellers to sell and purchase a particular commodity over a stated
period of time. Specifications usually include weight, volumes,
standards and values. Prices may be based on cost plus or
negotiated. These contracts exist between farmers and first
handlers and exporters and importers.
(ii)
Forward resource/management contracts: These arrangements
combine forward market sale and purchase commitments with
stipulations regarding the transfer and use of specific resources
and/or managerial functions. In such a contract the exchange of
raw material or commodity is made on condition that it involves
the use of certain inputs or methods, advised by the buyer, who
may even take over the distribution function. This is a typical
Marks and Spencer arrangement. Marks and Spencer is a very
successful, high quality and price retail operation in the UK Such
arrangements are found in many franchising, distributor or
marketing/management agreements and help to internalise many
future product transactions.
Both these forms of contract reduce the risks on both the buyers' and the
sellers' side. By creating forward markets, the seller reduces market risk,
and the buyer ensures that he receives commodities to certain
specifications. Forward/resource management contracts also have the
advantage of the provision of credit, market information and, perhaps,
other "trade" secrets. Production contracts to farmers are also a source of
credit collateral.
1.3.5 Integration
Integration vertically involves the combination of two or more separate
marketing or production components under common ownership or
management. It can involve investments "forward" or "backward" in
existing activities or investments in interlinked activities. Integration
horizontally means the linking of marketing or production separables at
the same level in the system, for example, a group of retailers.
Integration can bring a number of advantages especially in food
marketing systems, which as follows:
(i)
Production/logistical economies: integration can bring economies
of bulk, transport, and inventories,
(ii)
Transaction cost economies: integration brings cost economies
because the firm may become the sole supplier of goods and
services to itself; these include bargaining costs, information
system streamlining and centralised decision making,
(iii)
Risk bearing advantages: vertical integration can overcome risk
and uncertainty, i.e. by internalising flows the organisation can
eliminate the risk of variability in supplies, outlets, qualities and
so on. More direct control over assets may enable the firm to
invest in processing and marketing facilities, which further
enable the development of economies of scale. Typical examples
include nuclear estates and out grower schemes.
(iv)
Market imperfections: These can be "absorbed" often by
vertically integrated organisations. Taxes, prices and exchange
controls and other regulations may be "absorbed" to give
pecuniary gain. Also, integration enables the firm to increase its
market share and leverage with suppliers and customers.
For example, Lonrho and Anglo American are vertically integrated
organisations in agricultural marketing at global level. Lonrho, with its estates in
Kenya, is also in processing. Anglo American is also in agriculture and provides
an interesting case of vertical integration giving advantages. If one takes the
Anglo American operation in Zimbabwe, it owns, amongst other things, citrus
estates. It not only grows, but processes and markets domestically and
internationally. In addition, Anglo owns training facilities, transport facilities
and gives credit and investment capabilities. Its international operation means it
knows the Government tax, regulations, exchange controls and other measures
very well, and so can "negotiate" around or within this legal/monetary
framework.
1.3.6 Government
It can be seen that Government can take a leading role in the distribution of
goods and services via state-owned Marketing Boards. Government may provide
an infrastructure, which the private sector just cannot afford for example roads,
utilities, training and extension. Government has the sovereign authority to
provide the regulatory framework within which commodity or agricultural
export systems can be developed. It can also define the rules for international
trade and market entry. It can negotiate in either a bilateral or multilateral form,
to facilitate a particular commodity transfer or arrange lower terms of access.
Government also has other roles to play like cooperating or providing services in
defined markets. It can provide credit or market information. It may stabilise
prices with price controls like floor or ceiling prices, buffer stocks, quantity
controls and so on. Government can regulate the competitive position of markets
by passing regulations, which protect or promote a market structure. It may
force suppliers into Marketing Boards as the only outlet and so alter the whole
competitive structure of industry. Both Marketing Boards and Marketing Orders
can be used to control physical commodity flows, enforce market quality
standards and pool market risk. Finally Government can "enable" suppliers
through the introduction of export incentives, reduced taxes or export retention
schemes.
1.4
CHANNEL STRUCTURE AND SELECTION
The channel decision is very important. In theory at least, there is a form of
trade-off: the cost of using intermediaries to achieve wider distribution is
supposedly lower. Indeed, most consumer goods manufacturers could never
justify the cost of selling direct to their consumers, except by mail order. In
practice, if the producer is large enough, the use of intermediaries (particularly
at the agent and wholesaler level) can sometimes cost more than going direct.
Many of the theoretical arguments about channels therefore revolve around cost.
On the other hand, most of the practical decisions are concerned with control of
the consumer. The small company has no alternative but to use intermediaries,
often several layers of them, but large companies 'do' have the choice.
However, many suppliers seem to assume that once their product has been sold
into the channel, into the beginning of the distribution chain, their job is
finished. Yet that distribution chain is merely assuming a part of the supplier's
responsibility; and, if he has any aspirations to be market-oriented, his job
should really be extended to managing, albeit very indirectly, all the processes
involved in that chain, until the product or service arrives with the end-user.
Channel structure varies considerably according to whether the product is
consumer or business-to-business oriented. The former tends to have a variety of
formats, whereas the latter is less complicated. In deciding on channel design the
following have to be considered carefully:
(i)
Market needs and preferences;
(ii)
The cost of channel service provision;
(iii)
Incentives for channel members and methods of payment;
(iv)
The size of the end market to be served;
(v)
Product characteristics required, complexity of product, price,
perishability, packaging;
(vi)
Middlemen characteristics - whether they will push products or
be passive;
(vii) Market and channel concentration and organisation;
(viii) Appropriate contractual agreements;
(ix)
Degree of control.
In many countries there is a move to vertical or horizontal integration within
channels, especially in developed countries where large chains dominate, as in
the UK food retail trade. The converse is the scenario in many less developed
countries. In East Africa, for example, small dukas (carrying less than 100 items
and occupying no more than 506.75 square feet of space) operate widely on a
margin of 12% as opposed to the developed countries' average of 24% margin.
Also there can be very thriving parallel market systems, often difficult to track
down. Decisions on what channels and entry strategy to adopt depend heavily on
the risks, availability and costs of channels.
Most developing countries rely heavily on agents in distributing their products.
Whilst criticism of being "ripped off" is often made, the loss caused by the
shrinkage is less than that associated with more sophisticated channel forms.
1.5
SUMMARY
Along with price and promotion decisions, a decision has to be made on the
distribution system. There are two components to this - the physical (order
processing storage/warehousing and transport) and the institutional aspects. The
latter involves the choice of agents, distributors, wholesalers, retailers, direct
sales or sales forces. Again, each has its own advantages and disadvantages.
However, it is in the channel of distribution that the international marketer can
encounter many risks and dangers. These involve many transaction costs both
apparent and hidden. Risks include loss in transit, destruction, negligence, non-
payment and so on. So careful choice and evaluation of channel partner is a
necessity.
1.6
QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION
1.
Distinguish between "institutional" and "physical" distribution.
2.
What are the principle advantages of using brokers, personalised trading
networks and associations in the marketing of international commodities?
3.
For any agricultural product of your choice discuss the factors which
have to be considered in the choice of a channel of distribution.
4.
What are the benefits of different channels of distribution?
5.
Explain the structure of channels of distribution at global level.
UNIT V
GLOBAL MARKETING MANAGEMENT
LESSON NO. 2:
INTERNATIONAL LOGISTICS
STRUCTURE
2.1
Introduction and Definition of Logistics
2.2
Strategies of Logistics in Global Marketing
2.3
Logistic Operation Design
2.4
Logistic Information System
2.5
Logistics Audit Program
2.6
Practices in International Logistics
2.7
The Challenges of International Logistics
2.8
Strategies for International Logistics
2.9
Summary
2.10 Questions For Discussion
OBJECTIVES
After studying the lesson you should be able to define logistics,
understand strategies of logistics in global marketing, logistic operation
design, logistic information system, and logistics audit program. Further,
the lesson explains practices in international logistics, the challenges of
international logistics, and strategies for international logistics
2.1
INTRODUCTION AND DEFINITION OF LOGISTICS
The term logistics broadly defined as the flow of material and
information between consumers and suppliers. In our definition of
logistics we include the interdependent processes of customer service
and order processing, inventory planning and management, supply,
transportation and distribution, and warehousing. In customer service
and order processing we include customer service policy design, order
entry, order processing, status communication, invoicing, etc. In
inventory planning and management we include forecasting, fill rate
policy design, order quantity engineering, replenishment design, and
deployment. In supply we include supply chain integration, supplier
relationships, procurement, and manufacturing engineering. In
transportation and distribution we include logistics network design,
routing and scheduling, shipment planning and tracking, mode selection,
and carrier selection. In warehousing we include cross docking,
receiving and putaway, storage and handling systems, order picking,
shipping, and layout. Our logistics planning methodology addresses in
turn performance measures and goals, process design, information
systems and infrastructure, and organization design.
2.2
STRATEGIES OF LOGISTICS IN GLOBAL MARKETING
There are following strategies of logistics may be followed in global
marketing:
2.2.1 Logistics Master Planning (LMP)
Logistic master planning is a systematic approach to logistics re-
engineering based our logistics-planning pyramid. The LMP process
defines performance measures and goals, processes, system
requirements, and organization requirements for customer service and
order processing, inventory planning and management, supply,
transportation and distribution, and DC operations. LMP short-term and
long-term recommendations are evaluated and time-phased with the
principles of incremental justification and implementation. The LMP
process requires the client to assemble a cross-functional logistics
planning and management team. LMP deliverables include detailed,
prioritized, and scheduled short and long-term action plans for
performance measures and goals, processes, information systems, and
organization design; logistics information system requirements; detailed
material and information flows; and detailed organizational and training
requirements. In some cases Logistics Resources International equips
LMP clients with decision support tools for on-going computer-aided
logistics planning and management.
2.2.2 Supply Chain Engineering (SCE)
Supply chain engineering program brings together manufacturers,
wholesalers, and retailers in a given industry to jointly re-engineer their
logistics chain. Our SCE program includes the creation of a supply chain
scoreboard, supply chain value analysis, short and long-term
recommendations for inventory and cycle time reductions, and supply
chain information systems requirements analysis. The SCE program is
conducted in a workshop format with facilitated breakout and general
working sessions.
2.2.3 Global Logistics (GL)
Global logistics master planning program extends the traditional scope of
logistics to include international commerce, global sourcing,
international transportation and distribution, INCOTERMS, terms of
trade, customs management, global warehousing, international facilities
management, EDI and documentation strategies, and international cash
flow.
2.2.3 Logistics Organization Design (LOD)
Logistics organization design program assists clients to determine skill,
participation, and culture requirements for logistics planning and
management teams; to facilitate change and transition management; to
identify appropriate performance measures and incentives; and to instill
a culture of coordinated, team-based logistics planning and decision
making.
2.2.4 Business Case Development (BCD)
Business case development program assists clients to identify, assess and
convert business opportunities in the logistics industry. Examples
include the creation of a business case and plan for third-party logistics
in Latin America, a market assessment of pick-to-light systems in North
America, an evaluation of third-party logistics options for three major
U.S. corporations.
2.3
LOGISTIC OPERATION DESIGN
The designs for logistic operation are as follows:
2.3.1 Warehouse Master Planning (WMP)
The Warehouse Master Planning program evaluates current warehousing
performance and practices and specifies action steps required to achieve
world-class performance and practices in warehousing and distribution
center operations. The program addresses all functional areas in the
warehouse including receiving, put away, storage, replenishment, order
picking, shipping, layout, and material handling systems engineering.
Typical deliverables include warehouse process definitions, material and
information flows, layout drawings, material and information handling
system design and justification, and RFPs. The WMS process requires
between four and eight weeks to complete and requires the client to
assemble a cross-functional warehouse planning and management team.
2.3.2 Transportation Master Planning (TMP)
The Transportation Master Planning program is based on transportation
and distribution-planning pyramid addressing performance measures and
goals, process design (logistics network design, routing and scheduling,
shipment planning and tracking, mode and carrier selection, and fleet
configuration and management), transportation management system
requirements, and transportation organization design. The program
makes use of the logistics modeling software and typical deliverables
include a reconfigured logistics network design, routing and scheduling
plans, shipment planning tools, and mode/carrier selection policies. The
TMP process requires between six and ten weeks to complete.
2.4
LOGISTIC INFORMATION SYSTEM
For the purpose of maintaining the relationship with the distributors at global
level, following decision are taken:
2.4.1 Warehouse Management Systems (WMS)
The WMS consulting program assists clients to develop functional and
technical requirements for warehouse management systems; to determine
appropriate and justifiable system investments; to decide whether to
enhance, build, or buy system functionality to close functional and/or
technical gaps; to identify and select appropriate WMS vendor(s); to
provide expert facilitation and/or project management throughout the
WMS implementation process.
2.4.2 Logistics Information Systems (LIS)
The LIS consulting program assists clients to develop functional and
technical requirements for logistics information systems incorporating
logistics database design, customer response systems, inventory
management systems, supply and production management systems,
transportation management systems, warehouse management systems,
and supporting logistics decision support tools. The program includes
system requirements definition, system justification, buy/build analysis,
vendor selection criteria, and implementation support.
2.5
LOGISTICS AUDIT
The following programs are prepared for the audit of logistics:
2.5.1 LOGISTICS AUDIT PROGRAM
The logistics audit program is designed to compare the client's logistics
performance, practices, systems, and organization with world-class
standards. The framework for the audit is logistics-planning pyramid.
The audit requires between two and four weeks to complete and relies on
the client's completion of forms provided in our Logistics Audit
Workbook. The deliverables include a performance, practices, systems,
and organization gap analysis; short and long term recommendations;
savings projections associated with recommended logistics initiatives;
and a logistics master planning project plan.
2.5.2 Warehouse Audit Program
The warehouse audit program is designed to compare the client's
warehouse performance, practices, systems, and organization with
world-class standards. The framework for the audit is our warehouse-
planning pyramid including receiving, put away, storage, restocking,
order picking, shipping, and layout. The audit requires between two and
four weeks to complete and relies on the client's completion of forms
provided in our Warehouse Audit Workbook. The deliverables include a
performance, practices, systems, and organization gap analysis; short and
long term recommendations; savings projections associated with
recommended logistics initiatives; and a warehouse master planning
project plan.
2.6
PRACTICES IN INTERNATIONAL LOGISTICS
Companies seeking to improve their international logistics performance
should consider these best practice tenets as they construct their
transformation roadmap. 2.6.1
Envision the Future, Act on The
Foundation
Best practice winners set the strategy for international logistics in the
context of how their companies compete as businesses. However, they
realize logistics excellence is a journey. As a result, they focus their
actions on transforming specific, foundational components on which
they can drive future improvements. Visibility, trade compliance, and
transportation contract management are some of the most common
cornerstones.
2.6.2 PARTNER FOR SUCCESS
Unlike in domestic logistics, it`s impossible to go it alone in the
international arena. To drive their success, best practice winners are
creating better ways to leverage the skills (and technology) of partners.
They are figuring out new ways to synchronize activities and increase
process visibility and control with customs brokers, freight forwarders,
ocean carriers, logistics service providers, and others. Best practice
winners stress that it is vital to choose partners that provide the best
value, not the lowest contract cost.
2.6.3 Automate with Internet-Based Technology
Without exception, best practice winners` logistics strategies revolve
around decreasing manual processes and increasing automation. Internet-
based technology is enabling a new level of transaction automation and
partner synchronization previously not practical or possible. On-demand
global trade management platforms and data gateways are driving more
electronic collaboration for significantly reduced IT costs.
2.6.4 Create Visibility to Create Control
International logistics is all about managing a network of third-party
providers. The foundation for controlling this process is visibility. For a
number of best practice winners, visibility does not stop at identifying a
shipment delay or inventory issue. Rather, an alert is the first step in a
structured notification, resolution, and root cause analysis process. In
particular, those companies with strong Six Sigma heritage are using that
discipline to create improved international logistics reliability.
2.6.5 Use Inventory More Effectively
A number of international logistics leaders are focusing on extracting
more value from their inventory. In some cases, this means creating
better in-transit visibility so they can redirect inventory around port
congestion or other bottlenecks or to higher points of demand. In other
instances, the focus is on optimizing where and how much inventory to
hold in the first place. Better leveraging the networks of logistics
partners and using multi-echelon inventory optimization tools are some
of the success tactics being applied.
2.6.6 Implement Transportation Spend Management.
Although companies have focused on spend management discipline in
areas like office suppliers, travel expenses, and telecom costs, they have
mostly ignored ocean and air freight costs. Two of the best practice
winners focused specifically on aspects of transportation spend
management to jump-start their improvement initiatives.
2.6.7 Streamline Customs Processes and Maximize Trade Agreements
Without a solid foundation of trade compliance and documentation,
purchasing will make the wrong sourcing decisions, goods will be
delayed clearing customs, and the business will be put at risk of
regulatory infractions. Trade agreement management and integration
with broker partners to avoid data keying errors and costs are among the
key trade compliance initiatives for best practice winners. 2.6.8
Obsess about Organizational Buy-In
Best practice winners are intensely focused on gaining and maintaining
organizational buy-in for their logistics transformation initiatives. This includes
gaining the CFO and finance organization`s support by focusing not just on
logistics-related savings but also translating the initiatives to tangible, direct
benefits for them. The heat is turning up on logistics processes as sourcing and
manufacturing activities are increasingly being done internationally. Companies
going global are experiencing unexpected transportation costs, higher inventory
investment, and longer and more unpredictable cycle times, while at the same
time their local customers are demanding lower prices, more unique execution,
and improved responsiveness. As a result, companies are seeking ways to make
their international logistics processes more reliable, more flexible, and less
expensive.
2.7
THE CHALLENGES OF INTERNATIONAL LOGISTICS
In most companies, international logistics processes mirror domestic supply
chain practices in the 1970s: logistics staffs keep their supply chains moving
through experience-based problem solving, and insistent phoning and faxing of
logistics partners. At nearly two-thirds of companies, spreadsheets, department-
built Access database applications, and emails round out the technology
portfolio. Many international logistics groups have reached the breaking point,
however. As global sourcing and selling increases, so do transactions, partners,
and problems to be managed. But budgets don`t allow logistics departments to
continue throwing people at these issues. The current manual-intensive process
of global logistics is becoming unsustainable. Companies adopting automation
are starting to experience cost and speed advantages over their competitors.
These companies are using automation to tackle both physical distribution
challenges and cost control challenges.
2.7.1 Physical Distribution Challenges
Companies are seeking to improve international logistics processes because of
longer lead times, greater supply chain uncertainty, and increased business risk.
The greatest handicap to logistics performance, according to two-thirds of firms,
is the lack of visibility and metrics for managing overseas vendors and logistics
service providers.
2.7
Cost Challenges
A parallel issue is cost control. In our domestic supply chain, we can easily
attribute freight costs and even understand the impact of truck fuel surcharges at
a carton level, says a retail international transportation director. But on the
international side, we were challenged to answer even basic questions such as,
What`s the average ocean freight spend per month, by lane? Because we
lacked integrated systems and normalized data. Companies are finding that
inadequate transportation spend visibility is leading to unanticipated budget
discrepancies, unexpectedly low product margins, and, in some cases, higher
rather than lower total costs when sourcing from low-cost countries.
2.8
STRATEGIES FOR INTERNATIONAL LOGISTICS
Top performers are succeeding in using international logistics transformation to
drive quantifiable business benefits for their corporations, including cost and
speed advantages. These companies are able to invest less capital in
international logistics yet provide better service to their customers. They are
arming their logistics staffs with up-to-date technology and integration-friendly
logistics partners to support today`s global-intensive business environment.
Analysis of the eight best practice winners found that greater process
automation, improved technologies, and increased reliance on logistics partners
were instrumental in driving their successes. Although winners focused on
different areas of international logistics improvement, they shared common
views on how to achieve success. Companies seeking to improve their
international logistics performance should consider these best practice tenets as
they construct their transformation roadmap.
The strategy for international logistics has to be set in the context of how a
company competes as a business. We have a highly leveraged business model
based on product leadership, says the senior vice president of operations for a
mid-size high-tech winner. We needed a logistics strategy that supported our
corporate strategy. For us, this meant outsourcing logistics to a domain expert
and creating an international distribution network that was simple, visible, and
accountable. The logistics strategy must envision the future but action needs to
be taken on the discrete, foundational components. These elements include such
areas as ocean contract management, trade compliance, and visibility. For
instance, automating the trade compliance process lays the groundwork for
better total landed costing and margin management, smarter sourcing and
inventory management decisions, and fewer supply chain delays. Best practice
winners seek rapid time to benefit on their logistics transformation projects,
often achieving payback on their initiatives in less than a year. The other aspect
of a sound international logistics strategy is that it needs to be built for
flexibility. Expect and prepare a foundation for change, says the vice president
of global logistics for an apparel company. C-TPAT, advanced manifest
requirements, changing trade agreements and free trade zones, new partners and
events to track, new distribution bottlenecks to avoid-- change is constant.
Our next core competency, says an appliance manufacturer`s global value
chain leader, is focusing on the speed and velocity in which we can execute the
results of new logistics strategies. Being able to .ex the international supply
chain quickly to avoid cost and service issues and take advantage of new
productivity advances requires technology and partners built for change. Key
areas to address in building an international logistics strategy are shown in
Figure 2.1.
Figure 2.1. International Logistics Strategy
2.8.1
Partner for Success
Unlike domestic logistics, it`s impossible to go it alone in the international
arena. Best practice winners are figuring out new ways to synchronize activities
and increase visibility and control of processes with customs brokers, freight
forwarders, ocean carriers, logistics service providers, and others. These
companies are leveraging the skills (and technology) of partners to achieve cost
and lead time benefits. Rather than displace our brokers, we want to automate
our interactions, says a logistics manager. The manual process of interacting
with them results in high document fees and additional errors because they are
re-keying data. We want to .x that, not take over their activities. Two of the
best practice winners embraced total logistics outsourcing. Don`t do
outsourcing for the sake of outsourcing, says an executive of one of the
winners. Your strategy needs to take into account the complexity of your
products and business model or it will fail. For this company, logistics
outsourcing was the right strategy and resulted in a 30% decrease in logistics
costs. If you do outsource, never go with the lowest contract cost, continues
the executive. Go with the best value proposition. If outsourcing is right for
you, move immediately to a single end-to-end logistics provider that can provide
you with .exibility, reliability, and visibility, urges another logistics executive.
But make sure you`re diligent in your evaluation to pick the right partner and
consider not just cost but also quality and communications capabilities.
2.8.2
Automate with Internet-Based Technology
Without exception, best practice winners` logistics strategies revolve around
decreasing manual processes and increasing automation. Automation translates
into speed, says one best practice winner. Manual processes translate into
delays and errors. According to another winner, Having technology that lets
you manage by exception is instrumental to boosting efficiency. Internet-based
technology is enabling a new level of transaction automation and partner
synchronization previously not practical or possible. On-demand global trade
management platforms and data gateways are driving more electronic
collaboration for significantly reduced IT costs. Best practice winners report
very little internal resistance to using on-demand technology, also known as
software as a service or hosted, web-based systems. International logistics
has historically been on the bottom of the corporate IT priority list, so CIOs are
generally supportive of trying on-demand models in this area rather than having
to reprioritize their projects and reallocate staff for traditional software
installations. Supplementing existing enterprise systems with advanced
optimization is another favored strategy of best practice winners. They realize
that optimizing end-to-end inventory or optimizing lane-by-lane awards to
carriers or forwarders is too complex to figure out on spreadsheets. Multi-
echelon inventory optimization and ocean bid optimization are two areas driving
quickly, multi-million dollar savings for companies.
2.8.3 Lay the Foundation for Visibility and Control
International logistics is all about managing a network of third-party providers.
The foundation for controlling this process is visibility. Some of the best
practice winners have integrated their enterprise customer service and logistics
systems with the visibility systems of their logistics providers to obtain
automatic status and alert information. Other winners are using on-demand
visibility solutions that are independent of their logistics providers` technology.
This provides more control of how the technology can be used and also enables
easier plug-and-play of logistics providers because technology does not have to
be reinstalled when switching providers. Companies that still rely on phone
calls, emails, or manual web lookups to track down shipments are at a
competitive disadvantage. Real-time knowledge of the location of goods
throughout the supply chain makes for faster-moving inventory speeds, cash
flow, and receivables, all while reducing inventory carrying costs. For a number
of best practice winners, visibility does not stop at identifying a shipment delay
or inventory issue. Rather, an alert is the first step in a structured notification,
resolution, and root cause analysis process. In particular, those companies with
strong Six Sigma heritage are using that discipline to create improved
international logistics reliability.
2.8.4 Use Inventory More Effectively
Best practice winners also focus on extracting more value from their inventory.
In some cases, this means creating better in-transit visibility so they can redirect
inventory around port congestion or other bottlenecks or to higher points of
demand. In other instances, the focus is on optimizing where and how much to
hold inventory in the first place. Aberdeen research shows that traditional
inventory target setting practices are insufficient for situations where there is
varying demand and supply uncertainty, often resulting in a company holding
20-30% too much inventory across its supply chain. Many companies use weeks
of supply and rules of thumb based on past history to set raw material and work-
in-process (WIP) inventory buffers. Whenever the supply base has poor
performance, inventory planners ratchet up the inventory targets--but they
rarely ratchet them down to account for better performance. So over time,
companies can find themselves holding more and more of this just-in-case
inventory. By using multi-echelon inventory optimization, which more
accurately accounts for supply and demand variability, companies can take out
redundant and unnecessary inventory while improving customer service levels.
2.8.5 Implement Transportation Spend Management
A missing discipline in many companies is transportation spend management.
Although companies have focused on spend management in areas like office
suppliers, travel expenses, and telecom costs, they have mostly ignored ocean
and air freight costs. Yet international transportation costs can be two to three
times higher than domestic costs and much more variable. Two of the best
practice winners focused specifically on aspects of freight spend management to
jump-start their improvement initiatives. Electronic contract management is the
foundation for spend management, explains an international transportation
director. We can exploit this foundation to improve product costing and margin
management, automate freight audit processes, and take preemptive action on
cost and allocation issues.
2.8.6 Streamline Customs Processes and Maximize Trade Agreements
Another foundational focus for best practice winners is trade compliance and
documentation, which drives streamlined, cost-efficient, and low-risk
international logistics processes. Best practice companies that focus on trade
compliance excellence are realizing improvements in a number of areas:
automating import/export compliance and documentation processes; maximizing
free trade agreement program benefits and automating certificate of origin
management with suppliers; and creating paperless workflows with brokers to
lower document costs and increase classification consistency.
2.8.7 Obsess about Organizational Buy-In
Generally, the eight best practice winners are intensely focused on gaining and
maintaining organizational buy-in for their logistics transformation initiatives.
Communicate and educate everyone on the costs, risks, and benefits involved
make them aware of how it personally affects them, advises a global logistics
manager. Start with a small, manageable piece, gain success, and build on it.
In addition to the usual executive support needed for corporate initiatives,
international logistics initiatives need to focus on securing:
(i)
Local operational support: Involve subject matter experts and local
logistics, manufacturing, and purchasing managers early and often. Early,
collaborative review of workflow, data feeds, and optimization models is vital to
creating buy-in and realizing the savings of new logistics strategies. Focus on
changing the culture from a We`ve always done it this way mentality to an
innovation mentality where operations staff actively thinks of how to create
better ways to do business. Intimately involving the operations staff in the
transformation project is the most effective way to foster an innovation
mentality.
(ii)
Vendor and logistics provider support: Similarly, engage vendors and
logistics providers as early as possible in the process. Look for ways to leverage
their expertise while laying the groundwork for paperless transactions.
(iii)
Finance organization support: CFOs and finance organizations
increasingly realize the value of enhanced international logistics automation and
visibility. Key to gaining their support is not just focusing on logistics related
savings but also translating the initiatives to tangible, direct benefits for them
(e.g., improve margin management, enhance cash flow forward visibility,
automate human-intensive freight audit and settlement processes, and decrease
cash-to-cash cycles). To succeed, you absolutely need your finance community
and the functional groups in lock stop with you throughout the process, says
one logistics manager. Other companies cite Lean and Six Sigma leadership and
staff as being key centers of support for international logistics transformations.
2.9
SUMMARY
Business success is increasingly linked to effectively managing international
logistics. Growing low-cost country sourcing and rising sales to international
customers are triggering companies to seek new ways to manage the costs,
complexities, and uncertainties of moving goods across borders. At global
level, customer service policy design, order entry, order processing, status
communication, invoicing, etc. are included in customer service and order
processing. In inventory planning and management we include forecasting,
fill rate policy design, order quantity engineering, replenishment design, and
deployment. In supply we include supply chain integration, supplier
relationships, procurement, and manufacturing engineering. These all
activities are processed through logistics.
2.10 QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION
1.
Define logistics at global level.
2.
What do understand strategies of logistics in global marketing?
3.
Explain the logistic operation design, logistic information system,
and logistics audit program.
4.
Discuss the practices in International Logistics.
5.
What are the challenges of International Logistics? Explain.
6.
What types of strategies are followed in International Logistics?
This post was last modified on 14 March 2022