C/B/1058. Report on starting a business in Italy

The paper reports on starting a holiday resort in Italy providing information about the country's economy, visa requirements, taxation, etc. The legal procedures needed for starting the business are detailed and discussed; the market forces influencing foreign investors are considered.

C/B/371. Innovative Product Review: Blackberry

The report looks at RIM, a Toronto-based technology company, and its most famous product, Blackberry. Blackberry is a wireless Internet and e-mail device that gives employees the full control over their work wherever they are. The history of the development of the product as well as its distinctive features are examined in the report. This is followed by the wireless communications industry analysis aimed to determine the level of its competitiveness and attractiveness. The idea of open innovation is also introduced in the paper to demonstrate changing patterns of innovation in today’s world.

P/B/577. Inter-cultural relations in business

The paper evaluates the importance of national culture in international business operations discussing inter-cultural relations among nations under globalization on the basis of a literature review covering definitions of culture, national culture, business culture, etc. Cultural implications for international operations are outlined using examples of various firms and countries.

C/B/355. The Role of the State in Protecting Home Markets

This analysis deals with the effects of globalisation on local and national markets to highlight the positive and negative consequences of globalisation, both perceived and real. Globalisation has social, economic, political and cultural consequences and has a strong impact on policies shaping government agenda. Considering the influences of globalisation and the power of multinational companies, this study shows the role of the state in protecting the interests of the local markets within the context of a welfare state. The relations between globalisation, state interests, commercial gain, welfare state, social and political economy and multinational corporations are considered.

P/B/572. Financing problems in African small businesses

The paper examines the problem of small business financing in developing countries focusing on the difficulties of African small businesses in attracting investment and raising finance, the reasons behind it, the potential benefits of financing in Africa, types of finance sources available for small firms, etc.

P/B/567. Is there a difference between global firms and national firms with international operations?

The paper seeks to identify the difference between global (‘stateless) firms and national firms with international operations reviewing academicians opinions on foreign business operations, companies relationship with banks, control mechanisms within multinational enterprises, legal nationality, taxation issues, etc.

C/B/352. An evaluation of the challenges faced by retailers expanding into international markets

This paper analyses and evaluates the challenges facing retailers wishing to develop into internationalization. It has found that there are several challenges that have to be overcome. Using Porters Diamond of nations it is possible to analyse the different aspects that are inherent in the different nations. Differences in culture, the economy and regulation, the domestic competition and potential partners all need to be explored, requiring retailers to carry out exhaustive research and information gathering. This paper has also found that in order to be successful, the organisation has the resources to make initial investments without an immediate gain and that the management have a clear and well defined strategy. Those retailers that are successful are those that have strong capabilities at home and are enjoying competitive advantage that can be exported, although not necessarily in the same format. The paper explores why some retailers have failed in their quest to establish international markets and why others have thrived.

P/B/551. Political and cultural risks of operating in international environment

The paper reviews the main potential risks for a company operating in the international environment focusing on political and cultural risks. The reasons behind the risks are identified; risk management strategies are suggested. Examples of risks and their outcomes in international practices are offered.

S/B/101. Managing across Cultures

Growing number of organisations with global ambitions are crossing the national boundaries leading to emergence of new cross cultural relationships and a radically different business environment. Consequently, management of the cultural diversity evolving from these changes has become a global issue. This paper is an attempt to understand the causes and impact of cultural diversity and critically evaluate the different approaches towards managing these differences.

P/B/516. Negotiations over a joint venture

The paper reports on the prospects for a joint venture between a Malaysian and a Finnish telecom companies, Nora and Sakari. The reasons behind the failure in their negotiations and the policies of the governance are analysed from the perspective of gains and losses; alternative scenarios for partnership and terms of renegotiating are suggested.

P/B/501. Importance of corporate social responsibility (CSR) in cross-cultural management. Case of Colgate Palmolive

The paper reports on the expansion of Colgate Palmolive, a global consumer products company, to South Africa relating the companys background, and reviewing the needs of cross cultural management on the basis of Hofstedes cultural dimensions model. The issues of corporate social responsibility (CSR) are addressed and supported by the stakeholder theory, social contracts theory, legitimacy theory, etc. highlighting the importance of CRS to organizations and businesses.

C/HR/67. HRM Challenges in International Business

In nowadays globalized environment the issue of HRM becomes one of the most significant and dynamic. In this regards, this report attempts to analyse the issue of structuring HR in a multinational environment, with a reference to multinational companys strategic proposition of expanding into the new countries and their markets. Highlights the importance of existing employee base and the impact on them in pursuing this strategy.

C/B/313. Topical Issues in International Business

The paper examines important international business and multinational financial management concepts such as foreign direct investment, exchange rates, transfer pricing ad others. The essay considers advantages and disadvantages of different modes of entry to foreign markets: exporting, licensing, setting up wholly owned subsidiaries. The author also examines the sequential theory of international expansion and unveils why companies may choose to develop sequentially. The relationships of countries within and outside of NAFTA (North American Free Trade Area) are analysed and assumptions are made why it may be hard for a non-NAFTA state to compete effectively within the bloc. Finally, the author scrutinises the concept of transfer pricing, the reasons why multinationals engage in transfer pricing and how governments try to regulate the process.

P/B/457. Doing business in Mexico

The paper reports on Mexican economy providing information on the implications of entering the Mexican market, Mexican business culture, advisable negotiating tactics and Mexican consumer behaviour.

P/B/412. Italian business environment

The paper provides an overview of the Italian business environment on the basis of historical, political and economic background facts. Economic development of Italy and its regions over the past decade is reviewed including the labour market, transportation infrastructure, foreign investment, etc.

P/B/353. Marks & Spencer: international activities

The paper looks at the policy of Marks & Spencer (M&S) over the past few years presenting an overview of the company's international activities and focusing on the external and internal variables. The main principles of the company are outlined; its key success factors are highlighted in the context of general success criteria.

P/B/354. Transplanting business to other cultures

The paper seeks to define whether the principles of organisational behaviour and management are universal in character. The implications of transplanting practices to other countries are discussed in the context of cultural differences and value orientations. Observations about cultural peculiarities of various countries are offered.

P/B/334. Cloverbrook in the international market

The paper presents a report on the performance of Cloverbrook, a fabric manufacturing company, in the context of internationalisation process and business network relations. Internationalisation models are discussed; the issues of interactions with customers are addressed. Recommendations are given about the possible improvement of the brand image. A brief SWOT analysis of the company is offered.

S/B/61. An analysis of the effects of Cultural Differences on Conducting International Business

This paper compares the cultures of the United Kingdom and Malaysia and examines the influence of cultural differences on conducting business in the two countries. The country cultures are analysed by making use of Hofstedes and Trompenaar's theories. The results are tabulated and summarised.

C/B/163. Impact of IT developments on the international trade and business

The article presents information on the importance of technology in nowadays business and trade environment. The utilisation of technology is a common denominator in the successful business. Technology should not stifle the essential elements of creativity and personalized customer service. It should be used in the right way, so that it can be a help for business builders. Evaluates the benefits of IT implementation within the organisation, importance of technology in the strategic transformation. Focuses on the current technological tools used by many global companies. writer highlights the need for the management team to understand the importance of installing new systems in business operations and the effects on the organisational culture, development of effective systems in business partners services and contribution to business strategies.

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