1. Welcome
1.1 For Sunfoods
1.2 For the Academic Reader
2. The Abstract
3. Thesis Introduction
3.1. The Aim
3.2. Research Background
3.3. The Research Topics
3.4. The Targeted Audience
3.5. Disposition
4. Research Method
4.1. The Constructive Research Method
4.2. The Research Process
4.3. Information Gathering
4.4. Export Guide and Questionnaire Construction
4.5. Analysis Method, Conclusions and Thesis Presentation
4.6. The Broad Scope of the Thesis
5. The Export Guide
5.1. Export Guide Presentation
5.2. Export Readiness
5.3. Trade Condition
5.4. Foreign Market Analysis
6. Questionnaire
6.1. Questionnaire Presentation
6.2. Export Readiness
6.3. Trade Condition
6.4. Foreign Market Analysis
7. Research Results
7.1. Export Readiness
7.2. Trade Condition
7.3. Foreign Market Analysis
8. Discussion
8.1. Export Readiness
8.2. Trade Condition
8.3. Foreign Market Analysis
9. Conclusions
9.1. Export Readiness
9.2. Trade Condition
9.3. Foreign Market Analysis
9.4. The Next Step
10. Supplements
10.1. Site Map
10.2. Glossary
10.3. The Complete Interview
10.4. Acknowledgements
10.5. Sources
5.2 Export Readiness
5.2.1 Human Resources and Expectations
It is claimed that it is crucial to evaluate the company's management's international experience and capabilities in order to study whether the corporation has the human resources necessary to carry out exporting successfully.(A step-by-step guide to exporting page 10, 2003-02-18) Cultural understanding, the ability to speak foreign languages, management with export experience and commitment to the export effort are seen as examples of human resource factors, which are vital if the business is to succeed in international marketing.(A step-by-step guide to exporting page 10, 2003-02-18) Experience is the human resource factor that tend to be most highly emphasized and it is maintained that there is no substitute for experience when exporting.(A step-by-step guide to exporting page 8-10, 2003-02-18)
To build a picture of whether the organization is prepared for exporting activities it is recommended that one discuss the corporations expectations for the export venture.(www.austrade.org/generic_template/0,1053,MetaRID%3DPWB1146570,00.html) It is believed that the overall goals and objectives for the company need to be studied in order to observe whether the exporting venture is consistent with other company goals.( www.unzco.com/basicguide/c7.html 2003-02-21)
5.2.2 Financial and Physical Resources
The financial and physical resources of the business are aspects, which may need to be studied in order to evaluate the company's export readiness.(www.cbsc.org/alberta 2003-02-21) The financial health of the corporation, the product plant production capacity and the reliability of suppliers can for instance be studied.(www.cbsc.org/alberta 2003-02-21) Specifically, it is considered essential to know weather the corporation can handle the increased demand that may come from exporting, without sacrificing any domestic business.(www.cbsc.org/alberta 2003-02-21).
5.2.3 Competitiveness
The corporation's ability to compete is an aspect, which is considered to influence the firm's export readiness.(www.unzco.com/basicguide/c1.html 2003-02-21) It can be argued that it is imperative for the success of the export venture that the product can compete in the host market and it may thereby be advisable consider whether the product is unique or competitive in the target market .(A step-by-step guide to exporting 2003-02-18, page 7) To assess the competitiveness of the company's product the firm can study the existing customer profile, the benefits the product offers the customers and the domestic marketing strategy, among other areas.(www.cbsc.org/alberta)(A Step-by-step Guide to Exporting page 9-10) It may also be advisable to consider whether the product and packaging can be easily adopted for exporting to the target market as this may increase the products competitiveness on the host market.( www.unzco.com/basicguide/c7.html 2003-02-21)
5.3 Trade Condition
5.3.1 Tariffs and Non-Tariff Requirements
It may be claimed that there are two broad groups of import regulations imposed by foreign countries, tariffs and nontariff barriers.(www.unzco.com/basicguide/c7.html 2003-02-21) A tariff is considered to be a type of tax imposed by a government on goods entering the country.(Cateora and Graham 1999, page 41) Non-tariff barriers may include specific limitations on trade, standards, customs and administrative entry procedures and charges on imports.(Cateora and Graham 1999, page 42) Other standard non-tariff requirements include packaging, labeling, marketing and product requirements.(Cateora and Graham 1999, page 42) Foreign government product regulations are seen as common in international trade and to enter a foreign market the company might need to modify the product to conform to government regulations.(www.unzco.com/basicguide/c7.html 2003-02-21) Government regulations might be imposed in order to protect domestic industries, to protect the health of the consumers and to protect the environment of the country etc.(www.unzco.com/basicguide/c7.html 2003-02-)
5.3.2 Trade Friendliness
Knowledge about political and economic trade factors, in the host country and the home country, may help the company determine how to operate in the target market.(A step-by-step guide to exporting page 16, 2003-02-18) The research may facilitate the process of making sound export marketing decisions, it can confirm whether a business opportunity actually exists in the studied market and it may increase the company's understanding of the market's characteristics.(A step-by-step guide to exporting page 16, 2003-02-18)
