What are the differences between consumer and industrial goods and what are the implications for international marketing?
Discuss how the various stages of economic development affect the demand for industrial goods.
“Industrialization is typically a national issue, and industrial goods are the fodder for industrial growth.” Comment.
“The adequacy of a product must be considered in relation to the general environment within which it will be operated rather than solely on the basis of technical efficiency.” Discuss the implications of this statement.
Why hasn’t the United States been more helpful in setting universal standards for industrial equipment? Do you feel that the argument is economically sound? Discuss.
What roles do service, replacement parts, and standards play in competition in foreign marketing? Illustrate.
Discuss the role industrial trade fairs play in international marketing of industrial goods.
Describe the reasons an MNC might seek an ISO 9000 certification.
What ISO 9000 legal requirements are imposed on products sold in the EU? Discuss.
Discuss the competitive consequences of being ISO 9000 certified.
Discuss how the characteristics that define the uniqueness of industrial products lead naturally to relationship marketing. Give some examples.
Discuss some of the more pertinent problems in pricing industrial goods.
What is the price–quality relationship? How does this affect a U.S. firm’s comparative position in world markets?
Select several countries, each at a different stage of economic development, and illustrate how the stage affects demand for industrial goods.
England has almost completed the process of shifting from the inch-pound system to the metric system. What effect do you think this will have on the traditional U.S. reluctance to make such a change? Discuss the economic implications of such a move.
Discuss the importance of international business services to total U.S. export trade. How do most U.S. service companies become international?
Discuss the international market environment for business services.
