Chapter 3 - History and Geography: The foundations of culture. Geography and history in chapter 3 are included as important dimensions in understanding cultural and market differences among countries. Not to be overlooked is concern for the deterioration of the global ecological environment and the multinational company’s critical responsibility to protect it.
International Marketing 15th edition Philip R. Cateora, Mary C. Gilly, and John L. Graham Introduction • To understand a society’s actions and its points of view, you need to appreciate: – The influence of historical events – The geographical uniqueness to which a culture has had to adapt • Culture can be defined as society's accepted basis for responding to external and internal events • To interpret a culture’s behavior and attitudes, a marketer must have some idea of a country’s history and geography Roy Philip History Perspective in Global Business • History helps define a nation’s mission – How it perceives its neighbors – How it perceives itself – Its place in the world • Insights into history are important for understanding current attitudes • It is necessary to study culture as it is now as well as to understand culture as it was – A country’s history Roy Philip Geography and Global Markets • Geography – an element of the uncontrollable environment that confronts every marketer – Affects a society’s culture and economy – Physical makeup limits a nation’s ability to supply its people’s needs Roy Philip Climate and Topography • Altitude, humidity, and temperature extremes – South America – British resistance of the English Channel – Trade through the Alps Roy Philip Geography, Nature and Economic Growth • As countries prosper, natural barriers are overcome • Environmental issues – – – – Disruption of ecosystems Relocation of people Inadequate hazardous waste management Industrial pollution Roy Philip Social Responsibility and Environmental Management • Environmental protection is not an optional extra • Pollution is on the verge of getting completely out of control • China has 16 of the world’s 20 most polluted cities • Critical issue: the disposal of hazardous waste • Sustainable development • http://www.time.com/time/specials/2007/0,28757,1661031, • http://www.forbes.com/2006/03/21/americasmostpolluted Roy Philip Resources (1 of 2) • The availability of minerals and the ability to generate energy are the foundations of modern technology • The principal supplements to human energy – – – – – – – Animals Wood Fossil fuel Nuclear power Ocean tides Geothermal power The sun Roy Philip Resources (2 of 2) • United States in perspective – 1942 – nearly selfsufficient – 1950 – major importer – 19732000 – increased dependency from 36% to 66% – Mid2000’s – predicted to be importing more than 70% of needs • The location, quality, and availability of resources will affect the pattern of world economic development and trade well into the 21st century Roy Philip 10 Dynamics of Global Population Trends • Global population trends determine today’s demand for goods – – – – Rural/urban population shifts Rates of growth Age levels Population control • Changes in population will profoundly affect future demand • The most important deterrent to population control is cultural attitudes about the importance of large families Roy Philip 11 Controlling Population Growth • Procreation is one of the most culturally sensitive uncontrollable factors • Perhaps the most important deterrent to population control is cultural attitudes about the importance of large families • Family planning and all that it entails is by far the most universal means governments use to control birthrates, but some economists believe that a decline in the fertility rate is a function of economic prosperity and will come only with economic development Roy Philip 12 Rural/Urban Migration • Result of a desire for greater access to: – Sources of education – Health care – Improved job opportunities Roy Philip 13 Population Decline and Aging • Population growth in many countries has dropped below the rate necessary to maintain present levels • A nation needs a fertility rate of about 2.1 children per woman • Not one major country has sufficient internal population growth to maintain itself Roy Philip 14 Summary • A prospective international marketer should be reasonably familiar with the world, its climate, and topographic differences • Geographic hurdles must be recognized as having a direct effect on marketing and the related activities of communications and distribution Roy Philip 15 ... Sustainable development • http://www.time.com/time/specials/2007/0,28757,1661 031 , • http://www.forbes.com/2006/ 03/ 21/americasmostpolluted Roy Philip Resources (1 of 2) • The availability of minerals and the ability to ... Geothermal power The sun Roy Philip Resources (2 of 2) • United States in perspective – 1942 – nearly selfsufficient – 1950 – major importer – 19 73? ?2000 – increased dependency from? ?36 % to 66% – Mid2000’s – predicted to be importing more than ... economic development Roy Philip 12 Rural/Urban Migration • Result of a desire for greater access to: – Sources of education – Health care – Improved job opportunities Roy Philip 13 Population Decline and Aging