International Business - I
I.Multiple Choice Questions
Question 1. In which of the following modes of entry, does the domestic manufacturer give the right to use intellectual property such as patent and trademark to a manufacturer in a foreign country for a fee.
(a) Licensing
(b) Contract manufacturing
(c) Joint venture
(d) None of these
Answer: (a) Licensing
Question 2. Outsourcing a part of or entire production and concentrating on marketing operations in international business is known as
(a) Licensing
(b) Franchising
(c) Contract manufacturing
(d) Joint venture
Answer: (c) Contract manufacturing
Question 3. When two or more firms come together to create a new business entity that is legally separate and distinct from its parents it is known as
(a) Contract manufacturing
(b) Franchising
(c) Joint ventures
(d) Licensing
Answer: (c) Joint ventures
Question 4. Which of the following is not an advantage of exporting?
(a) Easier way to enter into international markets
(b) Comparatively lower risks
(c) Limited presence in foreign markets
(d) Less investment requirements
Answer: (a) Easier way to enter into international markets
(a) Licensing
(b) Franchising
(c) Contract manufacturing
(d) Joint venture
Answer: (c) Contract manufacturing
Question 6. Which one of the following modes of entry permits greater degree of control over overseas operations?
(a) Licensing/franchising
(b) Wholly owned subsidiary
(c) Contract manufacturing
(d) Joint venture
Answer: (b) Wholly owned subsidiary
(a) Licensing
(b) Franchising
(c) Contract manufacturing
(d) Joint venture
Answer: (c) Contract manufacturing
(a) Textiles and garments
(b) Gems and jewellery
(c) Oil and petroleum products
(d) Basmati rice
Answer: (d) Basmati rice
(a) Ayurvedic medicines
(b) Oil and petroleum products
(c) Pearls and precious stones
(d) Machinery
Answer: (a) Ayurvedic medicines
(a) USA
(b) UK
(c) Germany
(d) New Zealand
Answer: (d) New Zealand
II. Short Answer Type Questions
Question 11: Differentiate between international trade and international business.
Answer: Difference between international trade and international business is similar to difference between trade and business.
1. The scope of international business is much wider than international trade. International trade means exports and imports of goods which is an important component of international business but international business includes much more than this.
2. International trade in services like travel and tourism, transportation, communication, banking, warehousing, distribution and advertising is a part of international business.
3. International business also includes foreign direct investments, contract manufacturing, and setting up wholly owned subsidiaries etc. which are not included in international trade.
Question 12: Discuss any three advantages of international business.
Answer: The following are some of the advantages of foreign trade:
1. Optimum use of resources: Foreign trade helps in the optimum use of natural resources and avoids wastage’s of resources. It ensures the presence of stable price by avoiding wide fluctuations in prices. It tries to equalise the world price.
2. Increased standard of living: It ensures more production to meet the demand of the people of different countries. By increased production, it becomes possible to increase income and the standard of living of its people. It also increases the standard of living by increasing more employment opportunities. It enables a country to import those goods which it cannot produce.
3. Large scale production: It ensures large production because the production is carried on to meet the demand of its people as well as world market. Large scale production also ensures a great deal of internal economies which reduces the cost of production.
Question 13: What is the major reason under lying trade between nations?
Answer: The major reason behind international business is that the countries cannot produce equally well or cheaply all the commodities. This is called theory of comparative cost advantage. It is so because resources are unequally distributed in natural resources. Some countries are abundant in one commodity and scarce in others while opposite is true for some other country. It makes a case for international trade and exchanging abundant commodity with scarce commodity by nations. Different nations are endowed with different factors of production which includes land, labour, capital and entrepreneurship. For example, India is a labour abundant country. Therefore, it is advisable for India to produce such commodities which use labour intensive methods and exchange it for those which use capital intensive methods. USA is a capital abundant country. Therefore, nations need to trade. Due to these reasons one country has a comparative advantage in production of particular goods as compared to other countries. Consequently, each country fins it advantageous to produce those selected goods and services that it can produce more effectively at home and importing those goods in which other nations have a comparative cost advantage.
Question 14: Discuss as to why nations trade.
Answer: Nations trade because of following reasons:
1. Unequal distribution of natural resources: Resources are unequally distributed in natural resources. Some countries are abundant in one commodity and scarce in other while opposite is true for some other country. It makes a case for international trade and exchanging abundant commodity with scarce commodity by nations.
2. Unequal availability of factors of production: Different nations are endowed with different factors of production which includes land, labour, capital and entrepreneurship. For example, India is a labour abundant country. Therefore, it is advisable for India to produce such commodities which use labour intensive methods and exchange it for those which use capital intensive methods. USA is a capital abundant country. Therefore, nations need to trade.
3. Theory of Comparative Cost Advantage: Due to these factors, some countries are in an advantageous position in producing selected goods and services which other countries cannot produce that effectively and efficiently and vice-versa. Consequently, each country finds it advantageous to produce those selected goods and services that it can produce more effectively at home and importing those goods in which other nations have a comparative cost advantage.
4. Geographical Specialisation: The international business as it exists today is the result of geographical specialisation. Even within a country each state specialises in those goods for which it is geographically more suitable. Similarly, each nation specialises in those goods in which it is specialised as per availability of resources and exchanges it for other goods and services in foreign market.
5. Cost minimization principle of firms: Firms get involved in international business to minimise their costs and maximise their profits.
Question 15: Enumerate limitations of contract manufacturing.
Answer: Major limitations of contract manufacturing are discussed below:
1. Non adherence to quality standards: Local firms may not adhere to quality standards or product design. It may cause serious quality problems for international firm.
2. No control on production by local producer: Local producer has no control on manufacturing as goods are manufactured strictly as per the terms and specifications by international firm.
3. Zero control over sales: Local producer can’t sell the output to customers directly. He needs to sell to the international firm at a pre-determined price. It reduces profits of local firm.
Question 16: Why is it said that licensing is an easier way to expand globally?
Answer: It is said that licensing is an easier way to expand globally because of its advantages
over other modes of international business.
1. Less Expensive: Under the licensing, it is the licensee who sets up the business unit. Therefore, licensor has to invest no money. Therefore, it is considered as a cheaper way of entering into international business.
2. Zero Risk of Loss: Licensor need not take pain of risk of profits and loss. He is paid a pre-determined fees called royalty by the licensee. As long as licensor continues to produce under the license, licensor keeps on getting his fees irrespective of whether licensee is making profits or incurring losses.
3. Less risk of government intervention or takeovers: A local person handles the business in foreign country. Therefore, there are lesser chances of government intervention or takeovers.
4. Better knowledge of local needs: Since licensee is the local person, he has better understanding of local needs, marketing strategies and business environment.
5. Safety of Intellectual Property Rights: As per the terms of the licensing, only licensee can make use of licensor’s copyrights, patents and brand names in foreign countries. Therefore, there is lesser risk of these intellectual property rights being missed by other local firms.
Question 17: Differentiate between contract manufacturing and setting up wholly owned production subsidiary abroad.
Answer: The difference between contract manufacturing and wholly owned subsidiary is
discussed below:
SNo. | Contract Manufacturing | Wholly owned production subsidiary |
---|---|---|
1. | A firm enters into a contract with one or a few local manufacturers in foreign countries to get certain components or goods produced as per its specifications. | The parent company acquires full control over the foreign company by making 100 per cent investment in its equity capital. |
2. | The firm has limited control over the local manufacturer. | The parent company has full control over its operations in another country through the subsidiary. |
3. | There is no or little investment in the foreign countries | The parent company buys up the entire equity of the firm abroad and makes this firm its subsidiary. |
Question 18: List major items of India’s import.
Answer: India’s major items of imports include crude oil and petroleum products, capital goods, electronic goods, pearls, precious and semi precious stones, gold, silver and chemicals.
Question 19: What are the major items that are exported from India?
Answer: India’s major items of exports include textiles, garments, gems and jewellery, engineering products and chemicals, agriculture and allied products.
Question 20: List the major countries with whom India trades.
Answer: India’s major trading partners are USA, UK, Germany, Japan, Belgium, Hong Kong, UAE, China, Switzerland, Singapore and Malaysia.
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