International Country Analysis

Objective: To gain experience to analyze in depth a foreign country for business purposes

To get started:

1. , select a foreign country you are interested in.

2. Research your country based on criteria you have learned in the lectures and outside sources (i.e., use the sources provided and libraries resources, talk to people from the country selected if possible).

Remember:

3. It is always easier to understand a country if you have a benchmark country (in this case the U.S.), don’t forget to use indicators learned about in class.

4. Make the presentation interesting to the audience (e.g., your classmates)

5. Please portray information which are relevant for business decisions. Focus on the similarities and differences related to international business – do not just give a country report

6. Hand-in your PPT slides. No final written report required.

Your presentation should include (but is not limited to):

1. A short overview of the most important aspects of the country

· Size, population, location (including general geography), a brief snapshot of the history and transnational issues (e.g., colonial history), language. Use visuals.

2. An in depth study of doing business with the foreign country (not limited to):

· Cultural and social environment

· Values/Behaviors (use links, cultural dimensions)

· Social Structure and Education

· Religion

· Communication

· Education (e.g., literacy)

· Covid-19

· Political and Legal Environment

· Political and legal system

· Infastructure (use links)

· Political Risk (use links)

· Corruption Index (use links)

· Labor Relations

· Taxes (use links)

· Trade agreements

· Economic and Business Environment

· Economic System

· Population

· GDP (use links)

· GDP to debt ratio (use links)

· Unemployment rate (use links)

· Youth unemployment rate (use links)

· Interest rate (use links)

· Export/ Imports (use links)

· Main industries

· Ease of Doing Business

· Currency (e.g., stable exchange rates)

· Infrastructure

· Provide information on the extend the US, Ohio and also Toledo is doing business with the foreign country.

3. Suggest potential industries to enter in your chosen country and which business to start: (e.g., if you were in American company in which industries would you invest)

4. Suggest best possible market entry mode for the country market: (this is based on your analysis in the prior sections, possibilities are various forms of exporting, contractual agreements, or investment entry modes)

5. Challenges: Examples could be immigration, political divide, past cultural issues or a variety of things. I want you to recognize the great things about other countries, but also point out that no country is without its challenges.

Grading: Your findings from this project will be presented in class (15 minutes) with an accompanying Q&A session (5 minutes). The grade for the project will be based on:

· Research rigor/ sophistication of analysis/justification of recommendations (provide sources at the end of your power point)

· Comprehensiveness

· Visual appeal

· Summary and PPT slides

· Questions handling (be prepared to answer questions but also have questions ready for your audience)

Hand in the day of your presentation:

· Power Point slides