...Selected Thesis Topics for BScBA students Bachelor´s Thesis 2013-2014 Please use this list of the fields of International Business for thesis work and potential thesis topics when choosing and informing us the field of your thesis + the thesis topic in the form Indication of Interest Area for Thesis 2013-2014. Part 1. Thesis topics for companies and other organizations We have first listed the thesis projects that are available to do for companies and organizations. If you are interested in these projects, please mark the topic to the Indication of Interest Area form the same way than any other topic. It should be noted that the students selected to do the thesis from these topics must be motivated and committed for the work. Please do not contact these organizations yourself before the selection process has been completed for all students. More information on topics can be asked from Mari Syväoja or Tomi Heimonen. Organization: Thesis Biofenno projects for (www.biofenno.fi) companies and organizations Selected Thesis Topics for companies and organizations Internationalization plan Plan how to take and promote product Tuovi Tuotevirtakirjanpito to EU markets. Tuovi Tuotevirtakirjanpito is a stock and feed recording program for organic farmers. It produces necessary stock and feed reports for annual inspection. Also stock balance reporting benefits farm managements. Because Tuovi Tuotevirtakirjanpito complies with all the regulations EU has set for organic farmers, it has...
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...Yongjun Sung and Sejung Marina Choi University of Texas at Austin This research examines young adults’ attitudes towards product placement in films and television shows from two countries that represent contrasting cultural distinctions: the US and Korea. The results suggest that young adults in both countries perceive film product placement in a similar way but, with respect to television, Korean respondents tend to perceive it as less effective in enhancing content realism and more unethical and misleading. In addition, the findings suggest that, for both film and TV, material- ism, attitude towards advertising, and realism enhancement appeared to be significant predictors of consumer cognitive response to product placement. However, cross-cultural differences were observed for TV product placement. In the US, materialism and real- ism enhancement were found to be most powerful predictors of cognitive response to product placement. In contrast, attitude towards advertising and materialism were found to be the strongest predictors in Korea. Implications for both advertising researchers and practitioners are provided. Introduction Movies have almost always been a popular medium for product placement. Product placement in movies can be an effective international marketing strategy since movies are often produced for and play to audiences across cultures (McKechnie & Zhou 2003). Television has followed this pursuit and has emerged as another effective medium for product placement...
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...Semiotic 1. Describe (abstractly) 2. Look for possible: * oppositions * denotations * connotations 3. Reference to the code / shared knowledge 4. Conclusions Media: from Medium= Middle Media: open windows to the world or tools which construct meanings and suggest interpretations? Semiotics: from σημεῖον (semeion) > sign = the study of signs Structuralism: the world is structured and can be interpreted/understood according to and within the structure What is a sign? * Something that stands for something else * Anything that can be used to tell a lie * Combination between a Signifier and a Signified Different kinds of signs (according to Peirce) * Iconic (analogy, similarity) * Indexical (physical relationship) * Arbitrary or Symbolic (stylised) Code Signs are related to a system of meaning. Code as a bunch of rules and the knowledge about the world (i.e. encyclopedia) that allow us to associate a signifier to the relevant signified. Polysemy: more than one meaning Anchoring: (semiotics) process that selects the legitimate meaning Jolly Roger: Flag (Pirates), Label (High Voltage), Bottle (poison, chemical staff) Narratives Media inform us about events. Events become stories With narratives we mean the art, the techniques and the process of making stories. In Morphology of the Folk Tale (1928) V. Propp (structuralism) analysed hundreds of stories and found out that all of them present a common structure...
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... A Paper Presented to The Faculty of the Department of Business Administration In Partial Fulfillment of Course Requirements For B7312- Cultural Marketing Access – Module I - Assignment 1 Spring II, 2013 For The Doctor of Business Administration Degree, D.B.A. David F. Black, B.A., M.B.A., C.D.P. Dr. Cliff Butler Argosy University/Seattle March 11, 2013 © Abstract This paper provides a summary review of B7312, Cultural Marketing Online Argosy Module I, a comparison of two different definitions of culture (Webster) (CARLA). An additional element of contrasting these two definitions is also provided. The overview provides discussion points for the classes of March 7th & 18th, 2013 or sooner as defined by Dr. Butler. Perspectives This paper is submitted in partial fulfillment of the B7312 Course Module I Assignment 1 for the Cultural Marketing Online Course Class on March 7, 2013, B7312, Spring II, 2013, Dr. Cliff Butler, AU-Seattle. Summary of Assignment This student is to write a talking-points paper for the selected definitions of culture as outlined in B7312 Cultural Marketing. After the two out of hundreds (Kluckholn) (CARLA) of cultural definitions are selected, this Doctoral candidate is to compare and contrast them. For this paper, the two selected definitions are from the Merriam-Webster Dictionary(Webster) and...
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...have been around for a long time and its association with globalization has been documented. The effects on the association with globalization are similar and closely related to that of international marketing. As a result, the increased globalization over the years has brought an increase in many problems associated with global trading including ethical ones. (WTO, 2011). As indicated by World Trade organization in 2011, there was significant expansion in world trade from 1950 to 2000. This increase was documented to be over twenty-fold with foreign direct investment and exports playing a significant role. This increase in world trade in the middle to late 20th century also saw small businesses increasing their investments in cross border trading. This resulted in an increase in the average yearly outflow of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) from about $25 billion in 1975 to a record $1.3 trillion in 2000. (UN, 2001). This means that there were a great number of business people with different social and cultural backgrounds doing business in other areas of different geographical, political, legal, social and cultural environments. The challenges that confronted these business people working in these different environments with its associated social and cultural problems created a platform for indulgence in ethical problems and other issues. (Dagdelen, Elibol & Yucel, 2009). Cross border trade experienced a great change and increase getting to the end of the cold war and this...
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...Principles of Marketing 2.1. Marketing 2.1.3 Ethno – Marketing 2.2 Culture 2.2.1 Culture as a Common Reality 2.2.2 Outstanding Elements 2.2.2.1 Language 2.2.2.2 Values 2.2.2.3 Rituals 2.2.2.4 Religion 3. Product Policy 3.1 Product Design 3.2 Brand 3.3 The 4 A´s for the Local Markets 4. Communication Policy 4.1 Use of Media 5. Conclusion 6. Bibliography Cross-Cultural Marketing 1. Introduction The growing together of Europe, encouraged by an identical Euro-Zone and the associated growing liberalization of international services, trading performance, cash flows and better communication opportunities, produce an increasing complex of international competition. The internationalization opens national markets for new competitors and creates new business opportunities for midsized, small and large businesses. On one hand this is based on the pursuit of expansive utilization of the existing markets in other nations, because of the saturation of the domestic markets. On the other hand companies are motivated to produce in developing countries with a low-cost and efficient production, because the product and technology life cycles of the domestic markets are shortening and the developing costs are rising.[1] As part of this term paper the chosen topic of intercultural marketing is basically...
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...CULTURAL EFFECTS ON CONSUMER BEHAVIOR Andrew J. Marsiglia, PhD, CCP Cultural value systems have a direct effect on consumer behavior and vary by the major cultural dimensions between countries but become increasingly complex when people immigrate to foreign countries that have different cultural dimensions. In these situations, people are subjected to a wide variety of cultural reference groups that ultimately affect their consumer behavior. Consequently, marketers must develop marketing communication that addresses cultural and reference group factors from both a domestic and global perspective; that means marketers must adhere to the Levi-Strauss maxim to think globally but act locally. To this end, marketers use market segmentation and micromarketing to develop customer-centric marketing messages with the goal of providing precisely defined marketing messages that satisfy consumer’s need for personal information regarding products and services so that consumers should be adequately stimulated to purchase the product or service being advertised. www.lead-inspire.com December 26, 2010 Table of Contents Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... 3 Effects of Cultural Values on Consumer Behavior......................................................................... 3 Characteristics of Cultural Values .................................................................
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...assessing international marketing opportunities Susan P. Douglas and C. Samuel Craig Stern School of Business, New York University, New York, New York, USA Abstract Purpose – The choice of which country or countries to enter is a critical decision and needs to be made with considerable care and deliberation. Initial market entry decisions have typically focused on country evaluations based on macro-economic data. While appropriate in providing an initial screening of countries, other factors, notably contextual factors, can provide important insights in assessing international market opportunities. The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of context at four distinct levels. Design/methodology/approach – The literature on the influence of context on consumption and purchase behavior is reviewed to provide a framework to understand contextual factors as a means to refine entry strategy and develop effective segmentation strategies. Findings – A wide range of contextual factors exert influence on consumption choices and contribute to within-country heterogeneity. These are typically examined at the macro-level, but also need to be examined at the meso-level, micro-level and situational level to fully assess market opportunities and establish viable market segments. Practical implications – Examination of contextual factors provides a richer and deeper understanding of which international markets to enter and which segments to target. Within-country cultural diversity, dramatic...
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...forming partnership with renowned non-profits – e.g. RestoringVision.org – to give a pair away to someone in need for every pair sold. However, it was not just the company’s generous intentions that made Warby Parker so successful for a start-up firm. Warby Parker’s brand is both trendy and classic providing high quality frames with best in class polarized lenses. As a way of cutting costs, Warby Parker decided to avoid middlemen and go directly to the manufacturers in China, circumventing traditional channels. The company is considered a made-on-the-internet brand: it has a huge presence of the internet and most of its advertising campaigns take place there, which constitutes an advantage, given the growing popularity of e-commerce and social network advertising. They started off as an online company however, in the past years they have also opened stores and showrooms in 15 location across the US with their headquarter in New York. BUSINESS MODEL CANVAS ARCHETYPE Warby Parker’s business is based on the low price and high quality of the products, the solidarity branch of their program and also on their online shop. To provide glasses at such a cheap price, the company decided to avoid licensing fees by designing their frame in-house and to stay the direct contact between the customers and the suppliers. In order to create value, the company had to make partnerships with outside firms and institutions such as VisionSpring, for example to distribute their glasses in the developing...
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...system competing against each other in a free market. In a legal system, plaintiffs and defendants constantly compete against each other to win the verdicts of juries and judges. Competition occurs within consumer behavior. People are so competitive when it comes to sports and games, they even have food competitions. Competitiveness can lead to strange behaviors. Trait of competitiveness can lead to strange behaviors and has also been recognized as “the enjoyment of interpersonal competition and the desire to win and be better than others” (Spence & Helmreich, 1983, p.41). Background theory four levels are labeled elemental traits, compound traits, situational traits, and surface traits. Elemental Traits are the basic and enduring cross-situational predispositions. Five of the eight elemental traits are openness to experience, conscientiousness, extroversion (measured as introversion), agreeableness, and emotional instability. If you are using the evolutionary perspective, three additional elemental traits are proposed: the need for body resources, material resources, and arousal. The eight elemental traits in a series of five studies. Methodology A 4 page survey was done sent 600 members of the panel. They was selected by population characteristic of the United States on age, household income, education, race, gender. The role of personality traits in online consumer complaint behavior and service recovery expectation. This article is about consumer complaints as it...
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...Review Key issues in cross-cultural business communication: Anthropological approaches to international business Tian Guang* and Dan Trotter Shantou University, Shantou City, Guangdong Province, Southern China. Accepted 8 March, 2012 Cultural factors have long been known to influence the communication and success potential of competition. Cultural awareness shapes how business firms behave in cross-culturally reflected international markets. It is broadly recognized that cultural factors act as invisible barriers in international business communications. Understanding cultural differences is one of the most significant skills for firms to develop in order to have a competitive advantage in international business. This paper probes some key elements of cross-cultural issues in international business communication and provides a framework for creating competitive advantage for firms engaged in international business. Culture affects many aspects of international business communication. It impacts free trade policies, localization and standardization strategy decisions, advertising, brand effectiveness, business relationships, international business management, international marketing, international negotiation, and consumer behavior. Seven themes are suggested as guidelines for further research: Cultural impacts of markets, international versus domestic business communication, standardization versus adaptation in cross-cultural communication; cross-cultural dimensions of business...
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...Forbes, L. P., & Vespoli, E. M. (2013). Does Social Media Influence Consumer Buying Behavior? An Investigation Of Recommendations And Purchases. Journal Of Business & Economics Research, 11(2), 107-111. This research investigates consumers who made a purchase of an item based on the recommendation of a peer or contact via social media (e.g., Facebook; Twitter). Samples of consumer purchases were used to review the question of social media influence. This research analyzes the type of product purchased, the cost of the item, and numerous other product dimensions related to the purchase. Hardesty, D. M., & Bearden, W. O. (2009). Consumer behavior and retailing. Journal of Retailing, 85(3), 239-244. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jretai.2009.07.002 This journal provides insight on consumer behavior in relation to retailing. Consumer behavior can define consumer decisions in reference to consumption, decisions and so on. It is important to understand what drives and motives the consumer to purchase products. What influences them to buy one specific item over another. The effect of personality traits on private brand consumer tendencies Herstein, Ram; Sigal Tifferet; Abrantes, José Luís; Lymperopoulos, Constantine; Albayrak, Tahir; et al. Cross Cultural Management19.2 (2012): 196-214. Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to investigate the association between three personality traits (individualism, materialism and the "need for cognition") and two characteristics...
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...Assignment #1 – Advertising Campaign Marketing Communications Lori Scott Professor: Mimi Kawwaff, DBA Marketing 312 May 25, 2015 Promoting a Massive Multiplayer Online Game (MMOG) Marketers are inclined to focus on the generation called the Millennials. This typical demographic description is of customers for the MMOG that are males 18-34 years old. This group has always been a highly used category because they have disposal income and are not yet married with families or homes that they would have fixed expenses as would an older demographic group. Men 18 to 34 are an enormous target for the MMOG market and are considered to be one of its primary core targets for gaming developers and the model they use when developing the programming. It is suggested that for the males aged 18 to 24, game play seems to be their primary focus and what the majority of them in this range are engaged with the most. A study of MMORPG players were identified, 60% of MMO players are male, 36% of MMORPG players are married and 50% of MMORPG players are working full-time, while 22% are full-time students, and 12% are part-time students/workers. The lifetime earnings are reported to be $80,000/year for males in this category. Data shows that half (51%) of all young male adults aged 18-34 had never married, and only one-third (32%) had children. It also revealed that over one-third (36%) were married, another 8% were cohabiting, and 5% were divorced or separated. Age 20-24: 68% were...
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...Social Distance The Missing Link in the Loop of Movies, Destination Image, and Tourist Behavior? Journal of Travel Research Volume 47 Number 4 May 2009 494-507 © 2009 SAGE Publications 10.1177/0047287508326534 http://jtr.sagepub.com hosted at http://online.sagepub.com Asli D. A. Tasci The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Visual information, especially delivered through movies, is believed to have an influence on destination image and consumer behavior. Based on the theory that knowledge about an object might cause feelings toward the object, visual information through movies can be assumed to affect not only destination image but also social distance between groups and, thus, to affect tourist behavior regarding the destination. With a quasi-experimental design, this study investigates if there is a relationship between visual information from movies and consumer-behavior variables, including destination image, destination desirability, visit intention, and social distance, taking Turkey as a case in point and a promotional movie as the stimuli. Results provide partial support for potential impact of movies on the consumer-behavior variables included in this study. Implications and future research suggestions are provided. Keywords: A destination image; visual information; social distance; stereotypical image; Turkey mong the several factors that impact destination image, the influential role of information provided by the visual media, such as movies, has been empirically...
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...Cultural Imperialism: The Impact of Western Influences on the Cultures of others through media Written by Edward Marcus, Nur Lillah and Sylvester Introduction With the vast advancement of technology today, the world has become progressively interconnected. Together with the rise in connection and communication, countries’ borders are also increasingly unclear as cultures cross borders and people adopt new ways of life styles and new manners of thinking. Most Asian societies for example, view the world from the eyes of the Americans or western culture and hence, they tend to adopt a foreign lifestyle in their apparel choices, the way they converse, even the type of food and eating etiquettes. Cultural Imperialism Over the past few decades, the vast improvements in technology have enabled efficient communication of information across the globe. Businesses in the best of nations have risen increasingly in scale and value. This, in turn, helps a handful of powerful nations exert influence over the world. Not only these few nations dominate the majority’s media consumption, they also consequently transmit their values and ideologies through these media channels. This process of dominating and influencing the mass through the media texts is known as cultural imperialism, which is the main component of capitalism and hence promoted by developed nations across the continents. Cultural Imperialism through Television A high percentage of Americans are couch potatoes...
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