Answer to Question 1
B
Answer to Question 2
International business is special because it occurs within a dynamic, integrated system that weaves together four distinct elements:
1. Globalization is a potent force transforming our societies and commercial activities in countless ways. In this way, the drivers of globalization (technological innovation and falling trade and investment barriers) influence every aspect of the global business environment. The dynamic nature of globalization also creates increasing competition for all firms everywhere, as managers begin to see the entire world as an opportunity. At home and abroad, firms must remain vigilant to the fundamental societal and commercial changes that globalization is causing.
2. The international business environment influences how firms conduct their operations in both subtle and not-so-subtle ways. No business is entirely immune to events in the international business environment, as evidenced by the long-term trend toward more porous national borders. The drivers of globalization are causing the flows of trade, investment, and capital to grow and become more entwined often causing firms to search simultaneously for production bases and new markets. Companies today must keep their finger on the pulse of the international business environment to see how it may affect their business activities.
3. Each national business environment is composed of unique cultural, political, legal, and economic characteristics that define business activity within that nation's borders. This set of national characteristics can differ greatly from country to country. But, as nations open up and embrace globalization, their business environments are being transformed. Globalization can cause powerful synergies and enormous tensions to arise within and across various elements of a society. Company managers must be attentive to such nuances, adapting their products and practices as needed.
4. International firm management is vastly different from managing a purely domestic business. Companies must abide by the rules in every market in which they choose to operate. Therefore, the context of international business management is defined by the characteristics of national business environments. Because of widely dispersed production and marketing activities today, firms commonly interact with people in distant locations within the international business environment. Finally, managers and their firms are compelled to be knowledgeable about the nations in which they operate because of the integrating power of globalization. Businesses should try to anticipate events and forces that can affect their operations by closely monitoring globalization, national business environments, and the international business environment.
Answer to Question 3
C
Kenneth Raymond Miller
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