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Hapter: International Business Environment
Hapter: International Business Environment
Chapter
2
International
Business Environment
The major difference between domestic and international trade lies in the
different operating environments.
Cont….
Copyright © 2007, Aseem Kumar
Technological Factors
Technology is the prime pulling force for the global business. The state of
technological development differs in different countries and accordingly
infrastructure levels are in different stages of readiness. Global competition uses
technology as a distinct advantage to score over each other in areas of efficiency
maximisation, cost reduction, better service to the customers and other
stakeholders, new and better products and service delivery, etc. Working in more
than one country usually means working with different technologies or at least
different levels of technological states; therefore, the biggest challenge is how to
fill this technological divide? A global company's effectiveness to deal with these
challenges will determine its business prospects in the long run. Companies need
to anticipate technological change and develop a mechanism to upgrade to
required levels so as to succeed in a complex and rapidly evolving environment.
Most global companies are forced to work in multi-technological environments.
This is in keeping with the ‘Think Global Act Local ’ scenario. The development
of new technology and its useful applications is a technical pursuit, but its
seamless introduction across national boundaries is a management challenge.
Copyright © 2007, Aseem Kumar
WTO works on the following basic principles that serve as the foundation of the
multilateral trading system it supports.
1. Without discrimination - a country should not discriminate between its
trading partners.
2. Freer - barriers coming down through negotiation.
3. Predictable - foreign companies, investors and governments should be
confident that trade barriers (including tariffs and non-tariff barriers) should
not be raised arbitrarily and tariff rates and market-opening commitments
are ‘bound’ in the WTO.
4. More competitive - discouraging ‘unfair’ practices such as export subsidies
and dumping products at below cost to gain market share.
5. More beneficial for less developed countries - giving them more time to
adjust, greater flexibility, and special privileges.
Copyright © 2007, Aseem Kumar
In a Nutshell
WTO offers the following ten benefits:
1. The system helps promote peace
2. Disputes are handled constructively
3. Rules make life easier for all
4. Freer trade cuts the costs of living
5. It provides more choice of products and qualities
6. Trade raises incomes
7. Trade stimulates economic growth
8. The basic principles make life more efficient
9. Governments are shielded from lobbying
10. The system encourages good government
Copyright © 2007, Aseem Kumar