Global Marketing, R & D
Global Marketing and R&D
Among different countries, why and how:
It makes sense to vary the attributes of products Distribution strategy may vary Advertising and promotion strategies may vary Pricing strategy may vary
How globalization affects new-product development
Levitt, 1983
A powerful force drives the world toward a converging commonality, and that force is technology (Prof. Ted Levitt, HBS)
Globalization of Markets?
commonality has not happened universally Consumer product tastes converged less than industrial product specifications Media, communications means have
made consumers world-wide more aware of
Levitts Converging
their mutual preferences have contributed to creation of world brands have caused market segments to emerge across some national markets--inter-market segments
Market Segmentation
The process of identifying groups of consumers whose purchasing behavior is unique in important ways
Is based on demography, geography, social-cultural
factors, psychological factors
Allows firms to adjust marketing mix to meet the needs of
separate market segments
Marketing mix variables: product-price-place (distribution)-promotion
Market Segmentation Across National Markets
Standardization: companies may
Offer same products Adjust balance of marketing mix to market
segments with similar needs across countries
Adaptation: companies may
Offer different products Adjust balance of marketing mix to market
segments with differing needs across countries
Marketing Strategy
Standardization (Global Integration Pressures)
Efficiencies through integrated R&D, production,
marketing Control implications
Adaptation (Local Responsiveness Pressures)
Buyer behavior (cultural, economic influence,
brand perception--country of origin idea) Laws, regulations Local environment needs Responsiveness to local condition shifts
Implications on marketing mix
International Marketing Mix: Product
Product: a
bundle of attributes
Hamburger: meat type, taste, texture, size Automobile: power, design, quality, performance, comfort, size/capacity
Attributes need
to be adapted to a greater or lesser extent to satisfy
Consumer preferences/tastes due to culture Economic development levels affect consumer behavior National product/technical standards state mandated
International Marketing Mix: Place
Optimal channel a company chooses to deliver the product The most locally responsive element of marketing mix because distribution channels vary dramatically across countries
Retail system: concentrated-
fragmented Channel length: long, short Channel exclusivity
International Marketing Mix: Promotion
communicates the product attributes / benefits to customers Barriers to international communication
Cultural barriers Source effects (country of origin effects) Noise levels
How firm
Standardized advertising
strategy possible; standardized advertising strategy execution more difficult (culture, laws)
International Marketing Mix: Promotion
Push vs pull strategies Push strategy: personal selling emphasis
Industrial products; complex new products Short distribution channels Few print or electronic media
Pull strategy: mass media advertising
emphasis
Consumer goods Long distribution channels Marketing message may be carried via print / electronic media
International Marketing Mix: Price
Price discrimination: demand Strategic pricing Predatory (quick share-of-market focus): lower prices to drive competitors out, then raise prices Multipoint pricing:
elasticity
pricing in one market may have an impact in another market; subsidize low pricing in one market from profits in another aggressive pricing to build volume and move firm down experience curve (lower marginal costs) restriction
Experience curve:
use
Regulatory issues:
antidumping, monopoly
New Product Development
New
product development
High risk / high return Technological innovation Creative destruction
Location
of R&D
Disperse R&D to trend/technology leading markets
High
investment on basic and applied research Strong underlying demand; affluent consumers Intense competition
New Product Development
Integrate R&D, Ensure:
marketing and Production
Product development driven by customer needs New products can be manufactured efficiently/effectively Time to market is minimized
Plan clearly: goals, milestones, budgets
New Product Development
Use cross-functional, multinationally diverse teams Span: initial concept development to market introduction Team composition critical
Assign heavyweight project manager
High status in organization; high power and authority Dedicated to fullest possible extent to project
Team should have representative from each function When appropriate? Build team culture Communication and conflict resolution processes
Physical co-location
Strategic Analysis
Why do organizations decide to enter international business? Passive entry: Follow customers overseas Respond to enquiries from overseas Competition is in overseas markets Seek profitable growth Sell capacity as is
Strategic Analysis
Eventually one or more of key distributors become a candidate for acquisition (FDI) Foreign regional development organizations actively recruit FDI Competitive pressures force examination of local assembly or production nearer to key international markets Major international customers demand local support
Strategic Analysis
acquires companies that are complimentary to existing businesses Continued growth requires regional management, development, distribution, technical and customer support
Organization
Strategic Analysis
Issues
involved in conducting international business become significant Demands for organizations resources increases:
Management Cash Product adaptation or unique development Customer support
Strategic Analysis
Eventually, these demands force the active planning of international business by the organization Active strategy
Strategic Analysis
SWOT Strength and
Weaknesses decisions made and controlled by management Threats business environment events that are likely to occur
Opportunities and
Marketing Mix (4 Ps)
Product Promotion Pricing Place (Distribution)
the most important for international business entry
Marketing Mix (4 Ps)
Place (Distribution)
the most important for international business entry:
Incoterms determine where title to goods
changes Transportation to international freight carrier, freight, insurance, documentation, customs clearance, local transportation, logistic management in the market, currency risk
Marketing Mix (4 Ps)
Product
usually controlled by the exporter, initially the least impacted element of the marketing mix localization often required: approvals and certificates packaging & labeling measures, etc
However,
Marketing Mix (4 Ps)
Promotion
success at home leads to interest from potential importers, licensors, joint venture partners Local knowledge essential on initial entries:
Integrated market communication Trade and consumer sales promotion Sales management Trade shows
Marketing Mix (4 Ps)
Pricing :
What tasks need to be performed to get the product from place of manufacture to foreign customers? The remainder of the marketing mix needs to be determined in order to set prices
Export Pricing Policy Issues
Channel length: longer channels than domestic markets, may drive up end user prices Price influence: distribution partners negotiate for the lowest possible landed cost Price-setting authority: How much pricing authority should be given to distributors or to subsidiaries?
Dumping
WTO: Sale of an imported product at less than fair value and causes material injury to a domestic industry. US: An unfair trade practice that results in injury, destruction, or the prevention of the establishment of an American industry. US considers dumping when price is >5% below home market price or, Price is below cost of production
Grey Marketing
(or parallel marketing) Products are imported outside of the established distribution channel undercutting the authorized channel pricing Usually results from high imported prices
Grey