Chapter 5 ♦ Developing a Global Vision 2
LEARNING OUTCOMES
5-1 Discuss the importance of global marketing
Businesspeople who adopt a global vision are better able to identify global marketing opportunities, understand the
nature of global networks, create effective global marketing strategies, and compete against foreign competition in
domestic markets. Large corporations have traditionally been the major global competitors, but more and more small
businesses are entering the global marketplace. Despite fears of job losses to other countries with cheaper labor, there are
many benefits to globalization, including the reduction of poverty and increased standards of living.
5-2 Discuss the impact of multinational firms on the world economy
Multinational corporations are international traders that regularly operate across national borders. Because of their
vast size and financial, technological, and material resources, multinational corporations have great influence on the
world economy. They have the ability to overcome trade problems, save on labor costs, and tap new technology.
There are critics and supporters of multinational corporations, and the critics question the actual benefits of bringing
capital-intensive technology to impoverished nations. Many countries block foreign investment in factories, land,
and companies to protect their economies. Some companies presume that markets throughout the world are more
and more similar, so some global products can be standardized across global markets.
5-3 Describe the external environment facing global marketers
Global marketers face the same environmental factors as they do domestically: culture, economic and technological
development, the global economy, political structure and actions, demography, and natural resources. Cultural
considerations include societal values, attitudes and beliefs, language, and customary business practices. A country’s
economic and technological status depends on its stage of industrial development, which, in turn, affects average family
incomes. A global marketer today must be fully aware of the intertwined nature of the global economy. The political
structure is shaped by political ideology and such policies as tariffs, quotas, boycotts, exchange controls, trade
agreements, and market groupings. Demographic variables include the size of a population and its age and geographic
distribution. A shortage of natural resources also affects the external environment by dictating what is available and at
what price.
5-4 Identify the various ways of entering the global marketplace
Firms use the following strategies to enter global markets, in descending order of risk and profit: direct investment, joint
venture, contract manufacturing, licensing and franchising, and exporting.
5-5 List the basic elements involved in developing a global marketing mix
A firm’s major consideration is how much it will adjust the four Ps—product, promotion, place (distribution), and
price—within each country. One strategy is to use one product and one promotion message worldwide. A second
strategy is to create new products for global markets. A third strategy is to keep the product basically the same but alter
the promotional message. A fourth strategy is to alter the product slightly to meet local conditions.
5-6 Discover how the Internet is affecting global marketing
Simply opening an e-commerce site can open the door for international sales. International carriers, such as UPS, can
help solve logistics problems. Language translation software can help an e-commerce business become multilingual. Yet
cultural differences and old-line rules, regulations, and taxes hinder rapid development of e-commerce in many
countries. Global marketers use social media not only for understanding consumers but also to build their brands as they
expand internationally.