Select one major international competitor within your chosen industry. Select one country or region you are considering for expansion. Research the country to prepare for the activities and assignments throughout the course.

This week you will explore the tools that will help you assess an organization for global expansion. Your focus will be on external factors that comprise the Country Competitive Profile Matrix. You are encouraged to research scholarly journals that will assist you in understanding the many factors that encompass this Profile Matrix. The research will prepare you for the activities and assignments throughout the course and strengthen your skills in finding scholarly sources that will help support your opinions and views.

A Country Competitive Profile Matrix is a strategic tool used to assess and compare the competitiveness of different countries in a specific industry or sector. It helps businesses, investors, and policymakers understand the strengths and weaknesses of various countries in terms of their ability to attract and support business activities, investments, and economic growth.

To prepare for the activity review the most current global competitiveness reports produced by the International Institute for Management Development (IMD). The report assesses the competitive landscape of countries worldwide based on various indicators.

1. IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook:
   • Latest Report: The latest edition is the IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook 2023. This report provides detailed insights into the competitiveness of countries based on economic performance, government efficiency, business efficiency, and infrastructure. For the latest report, you can check the IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook page. WCY_Bookletv1_2024-1.pdf (imd.org)Links to an external site.; https://www.imd.org/ibyimd/Links to an external site. I by IMD – First-person Business Intelligence from the Brightest ThinkersLinks to an external site.
2. To research and locate information on specific countries you may use The World Factbook. Links to an external site. https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/

Prepare

• Start with the IBIS World database, which will give you the names of major competitors in an industry and important success factors for competing in the industry.
  • Use the IBISWorld Database Library Guide.
• Business Source Ultimate provides access to company information, SWOT Analyses, and Industry information.
  • Find it in the Database List.
  • The Special Features page in the database library guide shows how to get started looking for company information.
  • You can perform targeted searches for certain types of sources as well. With the company name in the main Search box, select Advanced Search and look down into the Search Options:
    • For industry information, select Document Type: Industry Overview, then Search.
    • To access company SWOT analyses, select Publication Type: SWOT Analysis.
• The Strayer Library provides subscriptions to major press resources, including the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal.
  • Find links and instructions for this in the News and Magazines page of the MS in Management Library Guide.
• Refer to the Country Competitive Profile Matrix Worksheet Download Country Competitive Profile Matrix Worksheetto learn how to rate and weigh each factor as it relates to the country you are considering.
  • Factors to consider:
    • Economic Stability: Overall economic health, inflation rates, and growth.
    • Market Size: Size of the market and potential customer base.
    • Infrastructure: Quality of transportation, logistics, and technology.
    • Labor Market: Availability, skill level, and cost of labor.
    • Regulatory Environment: Ease of doing business, regulatory quality, enforcement.
    • Tax Policies: Corporate tax rates, tax incentives, tax environment.
    • Political Stability: Degree of political stability and risk of instability.
    • Trade and Investment Policies: Openings to foreign trade and investment, trade agreements.
    • Innovation and Technology: Investment in R&D, technology infrastructure, and innovation.
    • Legal Environment: Legal system efficiency and intellectual property protection.
  • You may want to use the examples and tables to determine each factor as it relates to the country or region you are considering in the Country Competitive Profile Matrix Worksheet Download Country Competitive Profile Matrix Worksheet.
    • Include factors unique to each country or region as needed.

Instructions

From the position of the global strategic manager, write a 1-2 page response in which you:

1. Select one major international competitor within your chosen industry.
2. Select one country or region you are considering for expansion.
   • Research the country to prepare for the activities and assignments throughout the course.
3. Analyze the key findings for the selected industry and country.
   • Determine whether the country is a good choice for expansion or not.
   • Justify your response.
4. Use at least two quality resources in this assignment. Choose sources that are credible, relevant, and appropriate. Note: Wikipedia and similar websites do not qualify as quality resources.
   • Cite each source listed on your source page at least one time within your assignment.