How Does International Business Achieve Its Internationaliza

How does international business achieve its internationalisation objectives in the contemporary context?

This activity is a platform to sharpen and demonstrate your knowledge and analytical skills in international business. It is designed to help you achieve the learning outcomes 1, 2 & 3. The assignment focuses on the actors of international business and their actings in the contemporary international business context. It also provides you with opportunities to link the international theories with the practice by analysing real-world examples from the academic point of view. Question: How does international business achieve its internationalisation objectives in the contemporary context?

Process: 1. Select one multinational corporation. 2. Write a brief overview of the organisation and its mission/objectives related to international business (maximum 500 words for this section). 3. Select and then analyse the internationalisation process of the organisation and its impacts on the international context. Please focus only ONE country in your essay (i.e. Samsung in the US) (Approximately 1,000 words) • What did the organisation do to internationalise itself? (i.e environment analysis) • What was the impact of these actions on the organisation? • What was the impact of these actions on the broader community? · Explain factors affecting the international process of your multinational coporation · Discuss the particular strategies that the organisation used in each country · Must using theories 4. Experience/lessons Learned (Approximately 500 words) • What insights did you gain about international business in the contemporary context? · • Using: “I learned..â€, “ I found this/that…†or “ I understand…†Format: Essay (You are encouraged to use headings and/or sub-headings to separate the sections/cases of your essay.) Tips: Always “analyze†not “description†à minimum 6 journal articles Reference to theories, articles and ideas from lecture notes Harvard reference style

Paper For Above instruction

In the rapidly evolving landscape of international business, multinational corporations (MNCs) play a pivotal role in shaping economic, social, and political dynamics across borders. Their strategies and processes of internationalisation are complex, influenced by diverse factors including market conditions, cultural differences, technological advancements, and institutional frameworks. This essay explores how an example multinational corporation, Samsung Electronics, pursues its internationalisation objectives within the United States, analyzing its environment, strategies, impacts, and lessons learned to provide a comprehensive understanding of contemporary international business practices.

Overview of Samsung and Its International Objectives

Samsung Electronics, founded in South Korea in 1969, has grown into one of the world’s leading technology companies. Its mission emphasizes innovation, consumer-centric products, and sustainable growth, with a clear focus on expanding its global footprint. The company's international objectives involve increasing market share, enhancing brand recognition, and fostering technological leadership across multiple regions, notably in North America, Europe, and Asia. In the American context, Samsung aims to penetrate various segments including consumer electronics, smartphones, and home appliances, aligning with its broader strategic goals of market diversification and technological innovation.

Internationalisation Process of Samsung in the US

Environmental Analysis and Entry Strategies

Samsung’s internationalisation into the US market involved comprehensive environmental scanning, including political stability, technological infrastructure, consumer preferences, and competitive landscape. The company adopted a multifaceted entry strategy, initially establishing manufacturing facilities and R&D centers to localize production and innovation. This approach aligned with Dunning’s Eclectic Paradigm (OLI Framework), particularly leveraging ownership-specific advantages such as proprietary technology and branding, location-specific advantages like proximity to key markets, and internalization benefits to protect technological assets.

Actions and Strategies

To enter and expand in the US, Samsung used a combination of wholly owned subsidiaries, joint ventures, and strategic alliances. Significant investments were made in local marketing campaigns and after-sales services to build brand loyalty. Samsung also tailored products to meet local consumer preferences, integrating American cultural elements into advertising. The company’s R&D centers in Silicon Valley facilitated collaborations with American tech firms, fostering innovation and knowledge transfer, consistent with Porter's Competitive Strategies. Samsung’s focus on product differentiation through technological innovation and quality positioned it competitively against rivals such as Apple and Google.

Impacts of Internationalisation

Organizational Impacts

Samsung’s expansion in the US led to increased sales, market share, and brand equity. It boosted local employment through manufacturing, sales, and R&D roles. The company’s commitment to innovation enhanced its global technological positioning but also increased operational complexity, requiring advanced management capabilities and adaptation to US regulatory standards. The knowledge gained from local markets improved Samsung’s product development cycles and marketing strategies, exemplifying the dynamic capability perspective (Teece, 2014).

Broader Community Impacts

Samsung’s presence contributed to technological spillovers, fostering local supplier networks and stimulating regional economic growth. Its corporate social responsibility programs focused on education and environmental sustainability, positively impacting communities. However, controversies over intellectual property rights and market dominance presented challenges, highlighting the tensions between global competitive strategies and local regulatory frameworks (Cui et al., 2016).

Factors Affecting the International Process

Several factors influenced Samsung’s internationalisation trajectory in the US. These included regulatory environments, trade policies, cultural differences, and technological standards. The US’s strict patent laws necessitated rigorous IP management, while consumer preferences favored premium, innovative products. Additionally, the competitive landscape with major players like Apple required Samsung to continuously innovate, employ aggressive marketing strategies, and maintain high-quality standards to sustain its market position. Institutional factors such as government incentives for technology R&D also facilitated Samsung’s local investments (Johanson & Vahlne, 2009).

Strategies Employed in the US

Samsung’s strategy in the US centered on product differentiation, localization, and strategic alliances. The company emphasized innovation leadership, investing heavily in R&D and marketing. Localization efforts included tailoring products to local tastes and establishing regional manufacturing to reduce costs and improve supply chain responsiveness. It also engaged in strategic alliances with American tech firms and retailers, fostering knowledge exchange and expanding its distribution channels. These strategies align with theories of internationalization such as Uppsala’s Model, which advocates gradual commitment and experiential learning, and the Resource-Based View (Barney, 1991), emphasizing leveraging unique resources and capabilities.

Lessons Learned and Insights Gained

Throughout Samsung’s internationalisation process in the US, I learned the importance of a comprehensive environmental analysis before market entry, as it informs strategic decision-making and reduces risks. I found that local adaptation combined with global branding creates competitive advantage, echoing the transnational approach discussed by Bartlett and Ghoshal (1989). I understand that strategic alliances and innovation are crucial in high-tech industries, especially when competing against entrenched competitors like Apple. The experience reinforced that regulatory compliance, cultural understanding, and continuous innovation are vital to sustaining international success. Furthermore, I recognized that firms must be adaptable, employing theories such as the Uppsala Model and the Eclectic Paradigm to navigate the complexities of international markets effectively.

Overall, Samsung’s US experience exemplifies how multinationals can achieve their internationalisation objectives through strategic environmental assessment, tailored strategies, and learning from local markets, which collectively foster sustainable growth and competitiveness in the global arena.

References

  • Barney, J. (1991). Firm resources and sustained competitive advantage. Journal of Management, 17(1), 99-120.
  • Bartlett, C. A., & Ghoshal, S. (1989). Managing across borders: The transnational solution. Harvard Business School Press.
  • Cui, L., Li, J., & Lin, Z. (2016). Intellectual property rights enforcement and multinational enterprise activities in China. Journal of International Business Studies, 47(5), 627-658.
  • Johanson, J., & Vahlne, J.-E. (2009). The Uppsala internationalization process model revisited: From liability of foreignness to liability of outsidership. Journal of International Business Studies, 40(9), 1411-1431.
  • Teece, D. J. (2014). The foundations of enterprise performance: Dynamic and ordinary capabilities. Strategic Management Journal, 35(13), 1565-1580.
  • Other scholarly sources to be added as necessary for further depth and support.