Exam 5: Analyzing Global Industries and Competitors

Global political trends include United Nations' efforts to improve worldwide infrastructures as well as country trends towards democratic institutions

The internet has given companies better access to customers and customers better access to companies

As nations industrialize, country priorities change and companies respond by emphasizing recycling, environmental issues, concern for local communities, and start to provide more services and amenities for citizens (autos, travel, conveniences). The driver responsible for these types of changes is:

The assessment of a rival's total, regional sales and market shares is an analysis of their supply chain strategy

A US exporter sells to a broad range of foreign markets but feels that there are major import markets that US-based companies do not yet service. The exporter should check out which of the following data sources:

Political, economic, societal and technological drivers of industry change affect corporate supply chains and global demand patterns

The United Nations Trade Data Yearbook (volume 2) allows firms to locate major markets that import their type of product

The internet has been influential in diffusing knowledge through world markets at a rapid pace

Where other firms manufacture their products means little to companies seeking to build new production facilities in foreign markets

Finding out that rival Colgate-Palmolive plans to emphasize and put resources into emerging markets is an example of a strategic initiative analysis

Mapping out of a market rival's purchasing habits, manufacturing placements and distribution activities is an analysis of its global demand function

A major aim of global competitor analyses is to gain sufficient insights into rival strategies to enable them to outwit, outmaneuver and outperform them in the world marketplace

Looking at competitors' core competencies can yield key insights into what rivals perceive they do better than others in the industry

Looking at competitors' strategic intents can yield key insights into their long-term competitive aspirations

Challenging a market leader requires careful analyses of its regional and national market weaknesses and/or a review of their under-performing businesses and product lines

Most international firms prefer large and medium sized growth markets

National economic growth rates affect country-level sales goals for companies and manufacturing capacity decisions

The objective of global competitor analyses is to:

Political, economic, societal and technological drivers of industry change affect global demand patterns but not corporate supply chains

Internet supply chain connections have made corporate ownership of suppliers and distributors more necessary