• Assessing global demand and
market opportunities for a product
• Commitment and competences
for internationalising
Why internationalise?
(Doole & Lowe, 2004)
Improve corporate
performance and profits
Saturation and high competition in
domestic markets
Access to larger and growing markets
Gain worldwide economies of scale
Access to cheap labour and overhead costs
Multiple recovery of investment
and R&D in new markets
Extension of product life
cycle in emerging markets
Globalisation drivers
Markets opening up
De-regulation of industries
Standardisation of products
Converging consumer tastes
Growing skillpool in
'3rd world'/Eastern Europe
Growth of worldwide logistics
and communications
Internet - proximity irrelevant
and low cost e-presence
Economic/political
encouragement of world trade
International variations in product
life cycle - different economies are
at different stages of economic
growth/consumer sophistication
Differences and time-lags
are shrinking → 'global PLCs'
Invest in factories?
• fixed assets - major cost (incentives?)
• risk can be shared via partnership/alliances
• total control over all areas
• high risks - loss of flexibility if costs rise
Out-source manufacturing?
• few fixed assets - increased flexibility to 'move on'
• focus on brand marketing, R&D, logistics
• need to manage supply chain
• danger of adverse publicity - sweatshops
Phase 2 - Deciding which markets
to enter - Market Selection
• Market potential in regions
• Local competition
• Competitiveness of firms compared
to local/international competitors
Market Screening
(Doole and Lowe, 2004)
Impossible to enter
(legislation, trade barriers, war)
Screened out (impoverished,
too small, unstable)
Filtered out (using
Morden's 12Cs)
- Country.. facts and figures
- Currency and economy
- Culture and behavior
- Concentration of population
- Communications
- Channels of distribution
- Capacity to pay
- Control from the home country
- Commitment to market
- Choices for consumers
- Contractual obligations
- Caveats and concerns
Market accessibility?
Geographic, trade or legal barriers (Japan - profitable but too
many trade barriers) (USA bans trade with Cuba)
Import duties and quota = higher price
= to limit imports and protect domestic
producers from competition
Profitability?
High competition, small market,
high costs (Africa - accessible but
risks of trade partner non-payment)
Market Size?
Volume and value -
current and future
Market Opportunities
Existing market
Existing suppliers meeting demand
Difficult/expensive to enter mkt unless
cost advantage or superior product
Latent market
Existing demand, no one meeting need
No direct competition (easier to enter) but
high market creation costs (high rewards too!)
Incipient market
No current demand but likely to emerge in future
Product Opportunities
Competitive brand
Similar features/price to existing products.
No significant advantage over competitors.
Will need to fight for market share. Price wars?
Improved brand
Not unique but improvement (performance/price)
Potential to succeed with heavy promotion.
Must overcome competitor brand loyalty.
Breakthrough brand
Innovation and potential competitive advantage.
Must overcome resistance and convince of benefits
Phase 3 - Deciding how to enter foreign
markets (market-entry strategies)
• Nature of the product (standard/complex)
• Behaviour of potential intermediaries
• Behaviour of local competition
EPRG Model
(Wind, Douglas,
Perlmutter, 1973)
Ethnocentric Orientation
Domestic market extension concept:
Strategies, techniques and
personnel perceived as superior
International customers considered secondary
International markets viewed as outlets
for surplus domestic production
International marketing plans developed
in-house domestically
Expansion viewed as appendage to domestic
operations; same strategies used everywhere
Polycentric Orientation
Multidomestic market concept:
Each international market is important/unique
Establish susbidiaries in each target country
Fully decentralised, minimal co-ord with HQ
Country specific marketing strategies
Result: No economies of scale, duplicated
functions, higher final product cost
Ford, Toyota, Suzuki, GM all adapt products locally
Regiocentric Orientation
Global marketing concept:
Regions that share economic, political,
cultural traits are perceived as distinct markets
Divisions organised based on location
Marketing strategies co-ord'd by regional offices
Pepsi & Coca Cola cater to segments as single markets
Geocentric Orientation
Global marketing concept:
World is a total market with identifiable, homogenous segments
Marketing strategies aimed at market segments instead of locations
Achieve position as low-cost manufacturer & marketer of product line
Provides standardised product/service throughout the world
McDonalds and Pizza Hut offer same ambience and taste worldwide
Entry options
OBJECTIVES: match with long/short-term aims & objectives
SIZE & RESOURCES: within Co capabilities.. notably costs
AVAILABILITY: host’s entry restrictions & opportunities
QUALITY: competence/reliability of intermediaries & distb’n
STAFFING: availability of competent staff… home or host
MANAGEMENT: whether it can be managed from home
FUTURE INTENTIONS: seen as short/long term operation
RISK: posed by options.. expropriation, war, non-payment
CONTROL: need to control operations from home
Phase 4 - Designing the international
marketing programme (4Ps)
(standardisation or adaption)
• Buyer behaviour (intermediaries/end cust.)
• Competitive practice
• Available distribution channels
• Media and promotional channels
adaptation satisfied immediate demand BUT continual
exposure will result in redefinition of needs and change in
tastes → larger market share in long term (Doole and Lowe)
International Marketing Mix?
Product: Will the same product sell?
Price: How will price vary?
Place: What distribution channels exist?
Promotion: What opportunities exist?
Standardisation: Factors which
are likely to be able to be
standardised across markets
Adaption: Factors which
are likely to need to be
adapted to local market