Enterprises, whose largest division engages in a licensing agreement with a German
firm to produce women’s hosiery, managers at Selman & Saks wondered just whether a
company-wide global focus would be more profitable after all.
Managers at Selman & Saks studied Wellman’s licensing agreement in great detail.
Though seeing first-hand the benefits Wellman found with the licensing agreement,
managers decided that Selman & Saks would target the French market merely via
exporting.
With the assistance of a domestic export department, the Selman & Saks razors and hair
trimmers entered France. For six months, sales were mediocre. But after that, sales
suffered. Opinions varied among numerous managers as to the cause of the failure.
“Who knows the local market better than people who live there?” was a comment heard
throughout Selman & Saks. “Maybe we needed an alliance with a French firm, or a
licensing agreement, before racing to get there.”
Which of the following best explains why Selman & Saks chose exporting as its entry
method to the French market?
A. Exporting offers the highest potential for profit.
B. Exporting offers a lower risk level for the company.
C. Indirect exporting is more expensive than direct exporting.
D. Exporting offers the most savings through scale economies.
E. Exporting offers greater access to less expensive labor and materials.
Refer to the scenario below to answer the following questions.
Most people laughed when Evelyn Ringler explained her product idea: a solar-powered
vacuum cleaner. But the concept was practical and the technology used in the vacuum
was the same as that used in many children’s toys. After setting up a demonstration
booth in a mall in a Chicago suburb, Evelyn felt more assured than ever that her idea
would be a hit. Consumers seemed receptive and offered helpful pieces of advice, such
as how much they would pay for the vacuum, what colors they would prefer, and why
they would not buy the vacuum.