Question 1

A marketing plan is usually developed prior to doing any international research.

Accepted Answer

It is important to conduct international research before developing a marketing plan, as cultural differences, market regulations, and consumer behaviors vary between countries. Research helps in identifying potential markets, understanding customer needs and preferences, analyzing competition, and developing effective marketing strategies. Therefore, developing a marketing plan without prior research can lead to failure in international markets.

Question 2

Any changes in the business environment, whether domestic or foreign, may have serious repercussions on the marketing activities of the firm.

Accepted Answer

Any changes in the business environment, whether domestic or foreign, can impact the marketing activities of a firm. For example, changes in consumer preferences, economic conditions, regulations, technological advancements, or competitor actions can all affect a company's marketing strategy, product development, pricing decisions, promotional efforts, and distribution channels. Therefore, marketers need to regularly monitor the business environment and adapt their plans accordingly to stay competitive and satisfy the needs of their target audience.

Question 3

In crossing national borders, a firm encounters parameters that may be different from domestic marketing.

Accepted Answer

When a firm crosses national borders, it may encounter different regulations, cultural norms, language barriers, and other variables that may not exist in its domestic market. These differences can affect the firm's marketing strategies, tactics, and overall success in the foreign market.

Question 4

Although the objectives may be the same, the execution if international marketing research may differ substantially from the process of domestic marketing research.

Accepted Answer

International marketing research involves addressing cultural and language barriers, working with different legal and economic systems, and adapting to varying levels of market development. These factors make the execution of international marketing research different from domestic marketing research.

Question 5

Firms should incorporate the technological level of the society in the marketing plan and understand the legal environment.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Firms should incorporate the technological level of...

Question 6

The American Marketing Association (AMA) defines marketing research as "the function that links the consumer, customer, and public to the marketer through information."

Accepted Answer

This statement accurately reflects the AMA's definition of marketing research.

Question 7

The U.S. Department of State supplies the only credible source of secondary data for companies wishing to do business abroad.

Accepted Answer

While the U.S. Department of State can be a useful source of information for companies doing business abroad, it is not the only credible source of secondary data. Other sources may include international trade organizations, market research firms, and government agencies in the countries where the company wishes to do business.

Question 8

The research objectives are always the same from company to company.

Accepted Answer

The research objectives can vary depending on the specific company and their goals.

Question 9

Qualitative data is best captured using a standardized, formatted survey so that answers are consistent from respondent to respondent.

Accepted Answer

Qualitative data refers to non-numerical data such as opinions, feelings, and experiences. Since these types of data require more open-ended and exploratory responses from the respondents, standardized and formatted surveys may limit the depth and richness of the data that can be collected. Instead, methods such as interviews, focus groups, and observations are commonly used to capture qualitative data in a more natural and context-specific manner.

Question 10

The three major approaches to international research organization are the harvesting, plantation, and bushel-busting approach.

Accepted Answer

The statement is not true, there are no such major approaches to international research organization.

Question 11

Delphi studies are a way of gathering data by pooling responses from focus group attendees with information gathered from the Internet and personal interviews in order to augment the statistics gathered through quantitative means.

Accepted Answer

Delphi studies involve gathering data through a series of structured questionnaires or surveys from a panel of experts, not by pooling responses from focus groups or the Internet.

Question 12

The researcher must go beyond the scope of the data and, use creative influences to arrive at knowledge useful to the firm.

Accepted Answer

To provide valuable insights to the firm, researchers may need to go beyond the limited scope of data and use their creative skills to connect the dots and identify meaningful trends, patterns, or opportunities. This requires a combination of analytical and interpretive skills, as well as the ability to think critically and "outside the box" to generate new perspectives or hypothesis. Therefore, it is true that researchers must expand their scope of inquiry and use creative influences to arrive at knowledge that can be beneficial to the company.

Question 13

The ideal size of a focus group is seven to ten participants.

Accepted Answer

Research suggests that the ideal size of a focus group is seven to ten participants as this size allows for a diversity of opinions and promotes group interaction.

Question 14

The most frequent objective of international market research is that of teaching all firm members who will be working in the foreign country to have a working vocabulary of that country's language.

Accepted Answer

While language may be an important aspect of international market research, the most frequent objective is typically to gain an understanding of the market and its potential customers, as well as identifying potential competition and assessing local regulations and cultural norms.

Question 15

One of the places a company can turn to for good secondary information is another firm.

Accepted Answer

Another firm can be a good source of secondary information. For example, a company can look at competitor's annual reports or industry reports published by consulting firms.

Question 16

Data collected directly from the marketplace by the researcher for the first time for "up-to-the second" information about a country is known as secondary research.

Accepted Answer

Data collected directly from the marketplace by the researcher for the first time for "up-to-the second" information about a country is known as primary research. Secondary research refers to data collected from existing sources such as reports, articles, surveys, and databases.

Question 17

Those firms that decide to enter a foreign market intuitively know what customers want and why they want it and do not need to check these assumptions through research.

Accepted Answer

It is not safe to rely on intuition alone when entering a foreign market. The cultural, economic and social nuances may be different from the company's home market, and failure to conduct thorough research can lead to costly mistakes. It is crucial to validate assumptions and gather relevant insights to inform business decisions.

Question 18

A proxy variable is a vote by a corporate director on subjects relating to fluctuating money markets.

Accepted Answer

Proxy variables are usually used as a substitute or an indirect measurement for an underlying factor that cannot be directly observed or measured. The example provided in the question is not related to a proxy variable.

Question 19

The single most important cause for failure in the international marketplace is not knowing the language of the native people.

Accepted Answer

Cultural differences, market research, and understanding consumer behavior are often more critical factors than language alone in determining success in international markets.

Question 20

Standardized research techniques are more useful in the collection of subjective data than of objective data.

Accepted Answer

Standardized research techniques are designed to minimize bias, increase validity and reliability in both subjective and objective data collection. However, subjective data is typically more open to interpretation, which can make it more challenging to collect and analyze without the use of standardized techniques. Therefore, standardized research techniques are equally useful in collecting both subjective and objective data.

Quiz 8: Research