Management exit | international marketing- market entry decision

Chapter three-market entry decision


Indicators of International Marketing Opportunity


1.     Existing Demand in Foreign Countries:

 

§  Existing demand refers to the current market demand for certain products or services in foreign countries.

§  The indicators of existing demand include local shortages of goods, substantial imports of specific products, or higher prices charged for those goods in local markets.

 

2.     Latent Demand and International Marketing Opportunity:

 

§  Latent demand exists when there is a need or want for certain products or services in a foreign market, but they are currently unavailable or underserved.

§  This can be due to technological limitations, lack of suitable products, or government restrictions on imports.

 

3.     Incipient Demand:

 

§  Incipient demand refers to emerging demand for certain products or services in foreign markets.

§  These markets are characterized by early signals of high market growth expected in the near future.

§  Incipient demand is often identified by analyzing recent growth rates and consumption patterns of specific products.


Target market selection


Step 1: Indicator Selection and Data Collection

Step 2: Determine the Importance of Country Indicators

Step 3: Rate the Countries on Each Indicator

Step 4: Compute Overall Score for Each Country

 

Factors affecting mode of entry


External criteria


1.      Market Size and Growth:

§  Large markets with significant growth potential often justify major investments and resource commitments, such as joint ventures or wholly-owned subsidiaries.

 

2.      Risk: The level of risk associated with a particular market is an important consideration.

§  This includes political and economic instability that may impact the business prospects of a company.

§  Higher risk levels may make companies hesitant to commit significant resources to a market.

 

3.      Government Regulations (Openness):

§  Certain countries may have restrictions or regulations that limit the available options for market entry.

§  Trade barriers and ownership restrictions are examples of government regulations that affect entry mode decisions.

 

4.      Competitive Environment:

§  The selection of an entry mode can be influenced by factors such as the intensity of competition, market saturation, and the presence of strong local competitors..

§  Companies need to assess their ability to compete effectively in the local market.

 

5.      Cultural Distance:

§  Higher cultural distance may lead to challenges in understanding consumer preferences, market dynamics, and business practices.

§  Companies may choose entry modes, such as joint ventures, to bridge cultural gaps or reduce risk exposure.

 

6.      Local Infrastructure:

§  The quality of the local infrastructure, including the distribution system, transportation network, and communication facilities, is an important consideration.

§  Poor infrastructure may pose challenges in terms of logistics, supply chain management, and operational efficiency, which can impact the choice of entry mode.


Internal environment


1.      Company Objectives:

§  Companies with limited aspirations may prefer entry options that require minimal commitment, such as licensing.

§  Proactive companies with ambitious objectives may choose entry modes that provide full control, such as wholly-owned subsidiaries.

 

2.      Need for Control:

§  The level of control desired is often correlated with the amount of resource commitment.

ü  Companies willing to make substantial resource commitments may opt for higher-control entry modes,

ü  While those with smaller commitments may accept lower levels of control.

 

3.      Internal Resources, Assets, and Capabilities:

§  The availability of internal resources, assets, and capabilities influences the choice of entry mode.

§  Companies with limited resources or assets may opt for low-commitment entry modes like exporting or licensing.

 

4.      Flexibility: The need for flexibility is an important consideration in entry mode decisions.

§  Different entry modes offer varying degrees of flexibility, with contractual arrangements like joint ventures or licensing providing less flexibility compared to wholly-owned subsidiaries.


Mode of entry


1.      Exporting is a common mode of entry into foreign markets, especially for small businesses and companies in the early stages of international expansion.

 

§  It involves selling goods produced in the home market to customers in foreign markets.

§  Exporting offers several advantages, such as relatively low resource commitment and reduced risk compared to other entry modes.

 

A.    Indirect Exporting: In this approach, companies work through independent intermediaries to export their products. There are four types of intermediaries:

Ø  Domestic-based export merchant: Buys the manufacturer's products and sells them abroad.

 

Ø  Domestic-based export agent: Seeks and negotiates foreign purchases on behalf of the company and earns a commission.

 

Ø  Cooperative organization: Conducts exporting activities on behalf of multiple producers and is partially under their administrative control.

 

Ø  Export Management Company: Manages a company's export activities for a fee.

 

Advantages of indirect exporting are lower investment requirements and reduced risk.


B.     Direct Exporting: Companies may eventually choose to handle their own exports, which involves greater investment and risk. Direct exporting methods include:

 

Ø  Domestic-based export department or division: An export sales manager handles the selling and seeks market assistance as needed.

§  This department can evolve into a self-contained export department that performs all export activities and operates as a profit center.

 

Ø  Overseas sales branch or subsidiary: Establishing a sales branch in a foreign market allows the company to have a greater presence and control.

§  The sales branch handles sales, distribution, warehousing, promotion, and customer service.

 

Ø  Traveling export sales representation: Home-based sales representatives are sent abroad to find business opportunities.

 

Ø  Foreign-based distributors or agents: Hiring distributors or agents in foreign markets to sell the company's goods.

§  They may have exclusive rights or limited rights to represent the manufacturer.

 

2.      Licensing involves the licensor (the company that owns intellectual property) granting a foreign company the right to use its manufacturing process, trademark, patent, or other valuable assets in exchange for a fee or royalty.

Ø  The licensor gains access to the foreign market with minimal risk, while the licensee gains production expertise, a well-known product or brand, without having to start from scratch.

 

     Forms of Licensing Arrangements:


Ø  Management Contract: The licensor sells a management contract to foreign owners of hotels, airports, hospitals, or other organizations to manage their businesses for a fee.

§  It is a low-risk method that generates income from the beginning and prevents competition with clients.

 

Ø  Contract Manufacturing: The licensor engages local manufacturers to produce the product.

§  While it gives the licensor less control over the manufacturing process and potential profits, it offers a faster start, reduced risk, and potential for a partnership or acquisition of the local manufacturer.

 

Ø  Franchising: A more comprehensive form of licensing, where the franchisor provides a franchisee with a complete brand concept and operating system.

§  The franchisee invests in and pays fees to the franchisor in return.

 

3.      Joint Venture: Foreign investors collaborate with local investors to create a joint venture, sharing ownership and control.

Ø  Joint ventures may be necessary due to economic or political reasons, such as lack of resources or government requirements.

Ø  However, disagreements between partners over investment and marketing policies can occur.

 

4.      Foreign Direct Investment (FDI): FDI is the highest level of foreign involvement, where a company directly owns assembly or manufacturing facilities in a foreign country.

Ø  This can involve buying part or full interest in a local company or establishing its own facilities.

Ø  FDI offers advantages such as cost economies, improved image in the host country, stronger relationships with stakeholders, and better adaptation to the local market.

Ø  However, it exposes the company to risks such as currency fluctuations, market downturns, and potential difficulties in reducing or closing operations.

 

5.     Wholly owned subsidiary


§  Wholly owned subsidiaries are a type of entry mode where a company owns 100% of the subsidiary.

§  There are two main approaches to establishing a wholly owned subsidiary in a foreign market:

ü  Setting up new operation

ü  Acquisition

 

6.     Merger and acquisition


§  Merger: is a business combination where two or more companies agree to combine their operations and assets to form a new entity.

§  An acquisition occurs when one company acquires or purchases the majority or the entire ownership stake of another company.

 

 

Criteria for selecting a market entry mode:


ü  Speed of Market Entry:

ü  Costs:

ü  Flexibility:

ü  Risk Factors:

ü  Investment Payback Period:

ü  Long-Term Profit Objectives:

 


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