Instruction
INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS
Country Analysis Research Project
In this paper, you are to pick a foreign country (one other than the United States) and analyze it from the standpoint of a place to export to or invest in. The objective of this assignment is to provide you with experience in collecting and analyzing information on a foreign market.
Please remember that this is a market analysis, not a geography study. You are expected to analyze the data you collect and reach conclusions about trade, investment, and other business opportunities. Look at growth rates and trends and be forward-looking. Please remember to analyze the data and not just present it. It is up to you to draw conclusions from your data.
Further, use charts to make your information more accessible to the reader. For example, you could plot exchange rate movements against the U.S. dollar over time. This may help the reader gain a clearer picture of trends. With that in mind, here is the outline that you will be expected to follow:
Required Outline- FOLLOW THIS OUTLINE EXACTLY!
Executive Summary—Cite specific points and conclusions based on your research and analysis. This is a summary of your recommendations which flow from the remainder of your paper. (Executive Summary 1-2 pages)
Country Demographic Description—Market Size:
Population, age distribution, gender, population growth, density, urbanization
Ethnic groups
Languages
Religions
Health and literacy
Political Environment:
Political system, political stability
Nature and degree of political risk
Membership in international political/economic organizations such as the EU, NAFTA, OPEC, APEC, etc.
Economic Environment:
Basic economic system—market, centrally planned, etc.
GNP or GDP—size, growth rate
Per capita national income—size, growth rate, income distribution
Percentage of national income and employment in agriculture, and different service or product industries
Government disbursements and revenues as a percentage of GNP
Balance of trade and payments—major trade partners, surplus/deficit, trade issues
Foreign exchange rates and trends
Inflation rates and impact on foreign exchange
Trade and Investment Opportunities:
Nature and extent of inward foreign direct investment
Special rules and regulations that may affect FDI, including the repatriation of earnings and/or restricted industries
Attitudes toward foreign investors
Restrictions, opportunities for exports to the country
Works Cited—The works cited section should list all of the material used to prepare the report. You should provide at least references from at least five different resources. For example, Business Week is considered one source, The Wall Street Journal another, etc.
TEXTBOOK MUST BE ONE. John D. Daniels and Lee H. Radebaugh. International Business, 13th edition, Prentice Hall, 2011.
The length of the paper can be no more than ten pages, double spaced, 12 point font, excluding exhibits.