Reference no: EM132819085

Switzerland is the country

HUMAN RELATIONS
1. Can women in your country of study attain positions in management? If so, how high on the corporate ladder do women go?
2. Is there any racial or class bias in your country of study that could affect your staffing plans?
3. Is there any evidence of "Brain Drain" in your country of study that could affect the talent you need?
4. Are there any labor laws in the country that would prevent you from these?
o working overtime
o paying overtime
o giving bonuses
o giving large pay raises
o stopping union building activity
What are the attitudes towards any form of bribery in the country?
Are there laws similar to OSHA that have to be complied with in the country?

SOCIOCULTURAL FORCES
Culture is the sum total of the beliefs, rules, instructions, and artifacts that characterize human populations.
1. Cultural aspects - Describe the cultural aspects in regard to art, drama, music, folklore, dance, and architecture.

2. Attitudes and beliefs - Describe this in relation to work, family, self, and change. Identify social status, gender, race, or minorities as these characteristics apply to jobs, promotions, etc.

3. Religion - What are the dominant religions and practices in the country or a region within the country?

4. Material culture - This refers to man-made objects and reflects the degree of economic (material) development and the standard of living. For example, a rich country with high per capital gross national product (GNP) is likely to enjoy a high level of technology.

5. Education- What are the attitudes, literacy rate, educational system, and achievements?

6. Communication - What is the dominant language or dialect spoken in the country? What are the characteristics, meaning, and unspoken language, i.e., expressions, gestures, etc., of which the multi-national company (MNC) manager must be aware?

7. Business protocol - Identify or give examples of the nature of business conduct or expectations.

8. Implications for international business - Based on your research, summarize barriers and opportunities for locating business opportunities. Of what factors should MNC managers be aware?

COMPETITIVE AND DISTRIBUTIVE FORCES:

World competition has intensified and there are five nations and groups of nations whose firms are in worldwide competition with each other: the United States, Japan, the European Union, North American Trade Alliances (Mexico and Canada) and newly industrialized countries. Although nations do not compete with each other, their firms do, but most economic and social conditions, as well as political actions, affect the ability of all of a nation's firms to compete. Channels of distribution are both controllable and uncontrollable variables. When selecting channels of distribution, management must consider the characteristics of the market, the product, the company, and the intermediaries available.
1. Identify any trade barriers that may exist in your country of study, i.e., restrictions on imports/exports.
o Tax (Ad Valorem, VAT)
o Wage controls
o Price controls
o Tariffs
o Quotas
o Product Liability
Attitude toward labor unions - Are labor unions strong in your country of study? Do workers abide by labor agreements, and what can the employer do if they do not? Are strikes common (wildcat or advanced warning)?

Identify any typical government restrictions against foreign MNCs, e.g., Hit List, Keiretsu, Industrial Targeting.

Are there any counterfeit products that may impact competition?

Identify any strong industries (steel, computers, etc.) that will present challenges to other MNCs that desire to locate or compete in your country of study.

Identify a typical distribution network (as a way of doing business in your country of study), i.e., layers of wholesalers, distributors, or agencies as they affect imports/exports.

Are there any other restrictions impacting competition or marketing, i.e., antitrust laws, currency exchange controls, or contract enforcements?

Implications for international business - Based upon your research, summarize barriers and opportunities for locating business opportunities. Of what factors should MNC managers be aware?

A DETAILED ANALYSIS OF SWITZERLAND IS REQUIRED. THIS IS NOT TO BE WRITTEN AS A TRAVEL LOG. ADDRESS EACH FORCE IN AS MUCH DETAIL AS POSSIBLE.

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