Welcome
The Abstract
Thesis Introduction
The Aim
Background to the Research Topics
The Research Topics
The Targeted Audience
Disposition
Research Approach
The Thesis in Context
Export Guide Construction
Questionnaire Construction
Information Gathering
The Export Guide
Introduction to the Export Guide
Export Guide Overview
Export Readiness
Trade Condition
Foreign Market Analysis
Questionnaire
Research Results
Export Readiness
Trade Condition
Foreign Market Analysis
Discussion
Export Readiness
Trade Condition
Foreign Market Analysis
Conclusion
Export Readiness
Trade Condition
Foreign Market Analysis
The Next Step
Supplements
Introduction to Sunfoods and Konnyaku-Chips
Site Map
The Complete Interview Answers
Glossary
Sources
The Aim
The aim of the thesis is to determine whether Konnyaku-Chips should be exported from Japan to Sweden.
Background to the Research Topics
The Product Konnyaku-Chips
Konnyaku-Chips can be described as sweet, fruity and pleasantly chewy, just like a sweet. When tasting Konnyaku-Chips it may be difficult to guess that it is a low-calorie fiber supplement and a type of health food. Konnyaku-Chips is high in dietary fibers and low in fat and calories and such products, are believed to have a number of health benefits.(www.svenskidrottsmedicin.org/fyss/artiklar/cancer.html 2003-02-23)
Fiber's Health Benefits
Diets with small amounts of fiber are said to increase the risk of cancer.(www.netdoctor.se/sjukdomar/Fakta/tjocktarmscancer.htm 2003-02-23) In fact it is maintained that about 80% of all cancer deceases are life style related and according to several health organizations an increased intake of fibers is recommended to reduce the cancer risk.(www.svenskidrottsmedicin.org/fyss/artiklar/cancer.html 2003-02-23) Moreover, an increased consumption of fibers is believed to be beneficial for weight control. (www.minmage.nu 2003-02-23)
Diet Related Health Problems in Sweden
The number of overweight people in Sweden is increasing dramatically and the number of obese citizens has almost doubled over the last twenty years.(www.fni.se/shop/material_pdf/fetma_inlaga.pdf 2002-02-23) Approximately half of the male population and more than a third of the female population in Sweden are considered to be overweight.(www.fni.se/shop/material_pdf/fetma_inlaga.pdf 2002-02-23) Concurrently people in Sweden generally are claimed to consume less than the recommended 25-30 grams of fibers per day.(www.fni.se/shop/material_pdf/fetma_inlaga.pdf 2002-02-23) Additionally, it is said that certain types of cancer, which are clearly related to dietary issues, have not decreased at all over the last few centuries.(www.netdoktor.se/sjukdomar/Fakta/tjocktarmscancer.htm 2003-03-02) This raises the question whether exporting the fiber supplement Konnyaku-Chips from Japan to Sweden might be an achievable project.
The Research Topics
To evaluate the possibility to export Konnyaku-Chips from Japan to Sweden the following questions will be addressed:
1. Is Sunfoods export ready?
2. Is the trade condition between Japan and Sweden favorable?
3. Is the Swedish market stable and favorable?
4. Should a continuance of the export venture be recommended to Sunfoods?
The Targeted Audience
The thesis is mainly written for the management of Sunfoods and other employees in the corporation involved with decisions concerning exports. The thesis is also aimed at students and instructors at Uppsala University. Students and researches at other universities may find the thesis worthy of note as a base for further study and small or medium sized companies, which are considering a venture abroad, might find the export guide provided in the thesis noteworthy.