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What is International Business Environment (IBE) and its Types, Factors, Components

The (IBE) International Business Environment is multidimensional as it involves political risks, cultural differences, exchange risks, and legal & taxation issues. Therefore (IBE) International Business Environment is crucial for a country’s economy. It plays a significant role in fostering the growth and development of the country.

Introduction

An IBE refers to the surrounding in which international companies run their businesses. Therefore, people at the managerial level must work on the factors of the International Business Environment.

What is the international business environment and its key components?

The IBE refers to the intricate economic, political, legal, and cultural network influencing how organizations engage in international business activities. It comprises external and internal factors that impact a company’s success or failure in various markets.

This concept involves comprehending the global influences that affect businesses of all sizes. These components shape how companies conduct their operations and decisions, encompassing macroeconomic trends and geopolitical tensions. With globalisation, businesses have expanded beyond local or regional markets, bringing about new opportunities and challenges.

The Difference Between Business Environment and International Business

International business is an exchange of goods and services that operates across national borders between two or more countries. International business¹ is also known as Globalization, whereas a Business Environment is the surroundings where global companies operate.

The primary elements in the international business environment are as follows:

1. Economic Stability: This involves analysing factors such as GDP growth rates, inflation, currency exchange rates, and trade barriers. When selecting target nations for operations or investment, companies must consider how a country’s economy may impact its cost structures and profitability.

2. Political Stability: Political instability is another significant factor to consider when expanding abroad. Companies must be aware of uprisings, wars, and other forms of conflict that can disrupt business operations. Additionally, government policies regarding taxes, regulations, and labour laws must be considered.

3. Geography: Geography is crucial in logistics, market access, and staff recruitment. The accessibility of natural resources, such as oil or minerals, must also be considered based on the industry involved.

4. Technology: Technology is increasingly important in international business operations due to communication and digital infrastructure advancements. Businesses must understand how adopting new technologies might impact their competitive landscape or create new product or service opportunities.

Forms Of Business Environment

• Cross border trading- Import & Export
• Licensing
• Franchising
• Joint ventures
• Foreign Direct Investment

Advantages Of International Business Environment

• Helps in expanding the business
• Exposure to more customers
• Helps in the effective management of the product life cycle
• Helps in mutual growth

Types of International Business Environment

Political Environment in International Business

The political environment refers to the type of government, the government’s relationship with a business, & the political risk in the country. Doing business internationally, therefore, implies dealing with a different types of government, relationships, & levels of risk. There are many types of political systems, for example, multi-party democracies, one-party states, constitutional monarchies, and dictatorships (military & non-military). Therefore, in analysing the political-legal environment, an organisation may broadly consider the following aspects:

• The Political system of the business;
• Approaches to the Government towards business, i.e. Restrictive or facilitating;
• Facilities & incentives offered by the Government;
• Legal restrictions, for instance, licensing requirements, reservation to a specific sector like the public sector, private or small-scale sector;
• The Restrictions on importing technical know-how, capital goods & raw materials;
• The Restrictions on exporting products & services;
• Restrictions on pricing & distribution of goods;
• Procedural formalities required in setting the business

Economic Environment in International Business

The economic environment relates to all factors contributing to a country’s attractiveness to foreign businesses. The economic climate can be very different from one nation to another. Governments are often divided into three main categories: the more developed or industrialised, the less developed or third world, & the newly industrialising or emerging economies.

Within each category, there are significant variations. Still, the more developed countries are the rich countries, the less developed the poor ones, & the newly industrialising (those moving from poorer to richer). These distinctions are generally based on the gross domestic product per capita (GDP/capita). Better education, infrastructure, & technology, healthcare, & so on are also often associated with higher levels of economic development.

The level of economic activity combined with education, infrastructure, & so on both impact nearly every aspect of conducting business & a firm needs to recognise this environment for successful international operations. While analysing the economic climate, the organisation intending to enter a particular business sector may consider the following aspects:

• An Economic system to enter the business sector.
• Stage of economic growth & the pace of growth.
• Level of national & per capita income.
• Incidents of taxes, both direct & indirect tax
• Infrastructure facilities are available & the difficulties thereof.
• Availability of raw materials & components & the cost thereof.
• Sources of financial resources & their costs.
• Availability of manpower-managerial, technical & workers available & their salary & wage structures.

Technological Environment in International Business

The technological environment comprises factors related to the materials & machines used in manufacturing goods & services. The receptivity of organisations to new technology & adoption of new technology by consumers influence decisions made in an organization.

As firms do not have any control over the external environment, their success depends on how well they adapt to the external environment. An essential aspect of the international business environment is the level & adoption of technological innovations in various countries.

The last decades of the twentieth century saw significant advances in technology, & this is continuing in the 21st century, where technology is often regarded as a source of competitive advantage. As a result, companies strive to gain access to the latest technologies to stay competitive.

It is easier than ever for even small business plans to have a global presence thanks to the internet, which significantly grows their exposure, their market, & their potential customer base. For economic, political, & cultural reasons, some countries are more accepting of technological innovations; others are less accepting. In analysing the technical environment, the organisation may consider the following aspects:

• Level of technological development in the country as a whole & specific business sector.
• The pace of technological changes & technological obsolescence.
• Sources of technology.
• Restrictions & facilities for technology transfer & time taken for technology absorption.

Cultural Environment in International Business

The cultural environment is one of the critical components of the international business environment & one of the most difficult to understand. This is because the cultural climate is essentially unseen; it has been described as a shared, commonly held body of general beliefs & values that determine what is right for one group, according to Kluckhohn & Strodtbeck.

National culture is described as the body of general beliefs & values that are shared by the nation. Beliefs & values are generally seen as formed by factors such as history, language, religion, geographic location, government, & education; thus, firms begin a cultural analysis by seeking to understand these factors. The most well-known is that developed by Hofstede in 1980. His model proposes four dimensions of cultural values: individualism, uncertainty avoidance, power distance & masculinity. Let’s look at each of these.

• Individualism is the degree to which a nation values & encourages individual action & decision-making.
• Uncertainty avoidance is the degree to which a nation is willing to accept & deal with uncertainty.
• Power distance is the degree to which a nation accepts & sanctions differences in power.

This extensive utilization of the cultural values framework is due to its ability to gather data from diverse countries. Numerous scholars and managers have discovered the value of this model in examining the management strategies suitable for various cultural contexts. In a nation high on individualism, one expects individual goals, individual tasks, & individual reward systems to be practical. In contrast, the reverse would be true in a nation with low individualism.

• While analysing social & cultural factors, the organisation may consider the following aspects:
• Approaches to society towards business in general & in specific areas;
• Influence of social, cultural & religious factors on the acceptability of the product;
• The lifestyle of people & the products used for them;
• Level of acceptance of, or resistance to change;
• Values attached to a particular product, i.e. the possessive value or the functional significance of the product;
• Demand for specific products for specific occasions;
• The propensity to consume & to save.

Competitive Environment

The competitive environment also changes from country to country. This is partly because of the economic, political, & cultural backgrounds; these environmental factors help determine the type & degree of competition that exists in a given country. Competition can come from a variety of sources. It can be a public or a private sector, come from large or small organisations, be domestic or global, & stem from traditional or new competitors, GST registration. For a domestic firm, the most likely sources of competition might be well understood. The same isn’t the case when a person moves to compete in a new environment.

Challenges in the international business environment

The IBE is complex and dynamic, making it challenging for companies to predict the outcomes of their decisions accurately.

1. Varying Trade Regulations: International trade regulations and policies differ from country to country, making it difficult for companies to comply with them universally.

2. Competitive Markets: International markets tend to be highly competitive due to variations in economic environments, political stability, and cultural preferences across different countries.

3. Language Barriers: Language barriers can pose significant obstacles when conducting international business, notably if a company needs more personnel knowledgeable about different cultures and languages.

4. Cost Fluctuations: International businesses may face higher production or transportation costs due to exchange rate fluctuations or taxes imposed by foreign countries on imported goods.

5. Intellectual Property Protection: Intellectual property protection can be challenging in foreign markets as laws vary from country to country. It is subject to political instability and other external factors that can negatively affect a company’s operations.

To navigate the IBE successfully, companies need a comprehensive understanding of its intricacies before entering foreign markets. This includes knowledge of local regulations, cultural backgrounds, and competitive landscapes. By doing so, they can minimise risks associated with international business and leverage potential opportunities that come with operating in multiple markets.

Scope of international business:

Understanding the scope of the IBE allows companies to identify growth opportunities and devise appropriate strategies.

1. Economies of Scale: Companies can benefit from economies of scale and gain access to resources through international trade.
2. Competitive Advantages: Operating in multiple markets can offer competitive advantages such as lower production costs or tax incentives.
3. Risk Reduction: Knowledge about the international business environment helps organisations mitigate risks associated with foreign exchange rate fluctuations, political instability, and more.
4. Innovation and Flexibility: Understanding the international business environment enables organisations to become more innovative and flexible in their operations, staying ahead of the competition.
5. Cultural Diversity: Cultural diversity can be leveraged to create unique products and services that capture more significant markets.

Conclusion

To summarise, multinational corporations should collect information on all environmental dimensions, adapt to the international business environment, and identify vulnerable areas. It should look forward to a better environment and execution of best practices.

FAQs

Read our article: Understanding Challenges in International Business Environment

1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_business