1. Describe the shifts in the world economy over the past 30 years. What are the implications of these shifts for international businesses based in Great Britain? North America? Hong Kong?
2. “The study of international business is fine if you are going to work in a large multinational enterprise, but it has no relevance for individuals who are going to work in small firms.” Evaluate this statement.
3. How have changes in technology contributed to the globalization of markets and production? Would the globalization of production and markets have been possible without these technological changes?
4. “Ultimately, the study of international business is no different from the study of domestic business. Thus, there is no point in having a separate course on international business.” Evaluate this statement.
5. How do the Internet and the associated World Wide Web affect international business activity and the globalization of the world economy?
6. If current trends continue, China may be the world's largest economy by 2020. Discuss the possible implications of such a development for (a) the world trading system, (b) the world monetary system, (c) the business strategy of today's European and U.S.-based global corporations, and (d) global commodity prices.
7. Reread the Management Focus on Vizio and answer the following questions:
a. Why is the manufacturing of flat-panel TVs migrating to different locations around the world?
b. Who benefits from the globalization of the flat-panel display industry? Who are the losers?
c. What would happen if the U.S. government required that flat-panel displays sold in the United States also had to be made in the United States? On balance, would this be a good or a bad thing?
d. What does the example of Vizio tell you about the future of production in an increasingly integrated global economy? What does it tell you about the