How would you account for the difference in perspective between firms who often complain of government over-interference in business matters and ministers who claim that they have the interests

How would you account for the difference in perspective between firms who often  complain of government over-interference in business matters and ministers who claim that they have the interests

How would you account for the difference in perspective between firms who often  complain of government over-interference in business matters and ministers who claim that they have the interests

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International Business Environment

Case Study 1 : Structuring global companies

As the chapter illustrates, to carry out their activities in pursuit of their objectives, virtually all organisations adopt some form of organisational structure. One traditional method of organisation is to group individuals by function or purpose, using a departmental structure to allocate individuals to their specialist areas (e.g. Marketing, HRM and so on ). Another is to group activities by product or service, with each product group normally responsible for providing its own functional requirements. A third is to combine the two in the form of a matrix structure with its vertical and horizontal flows of responsibility and authority, a method of organisation much favoured in university Business Schools.

What of companies with a global reach: how do they usually organise them-selves?

Writing in the Financial Times in November 2000 Julian Birkinshaw, Associate Professor of Strategic and International Management at London Business School, identifies four basic models of global company structure:

● The International Division - an arrangement in which the company establishes a separate  division  to  deal  with  business  outside  its  own  country.  The International Division would typically be concerned with tariff and trade issues, foreign agents/partners and other aspects involved in selling overseas. Normally the division does not make anything itself, it is simply responsible for interna-tional sales. This arrangement tends to be found in medium-sized companies with limited international sales. The Global Product Division - a product-based structure with managers responsible for their product line globally. The company is split into a number of global busi-       nesses arranged by product (or service) and usually overseen by their own president. It has been a favoured structure among large global companies such as BP, Siemens and 3M.

● The Area Division - a geographically based structure in which the major line of authority lies with the country (e.g. Germany) or regional (e.g. Europe) manager who is responsible for the different product offerings within her/his geographical area.

● The Global Matrix - as the name suggests a hybrid of the two previous structural types. In the global matrix each business manager reports to two bosses, one responsible for the global product and one for the country/region. As we indi-cated in the previous edition of this book, this type of structure tends to come into and go out of fashion. Ford, for example, adopted a matrix structure in the later 1990s, while a number of other global companies were either streamlining or dismantling theirs (e.g. Shell, BP, IBM). As Professor Birkinshaw indicates, ultimately there is no perfect structure and organisations tend to change their approach over time according to changing circumstances,  fads,  the  perceived  needs  of  the  senior  executives  or  the predispositions of powerful individuals. This observation is no less true of universities than it is of traditional businesses.

Case study questions

1 Professor Birkinshaw’s article identifies the advantages and disadvantages of being a global business. What are his major arguments?

2 In your opinion what are likely to be the key factors determining how a global  company will organise itself?

Case 2 : Resource prices

As we saw in Chapter 1, resources such as labour, technology and raw materials constitute inputs into the production process that are utilised by organisations to produce outputs. Apart from concerns over the quality, quantity and availability of the different factors of production, businesses are also interested in the issue of input prices since these represent costs to the organisation which ultimately have to be met from revenues if the business is to survive. As in any other market, the prices of economic resources can change over time for a variety of reasons, most, if  not all, of which are outside the direct control of business organisations. Such fluc-tuations in input prices can be illustrated by the following examples:

● Rising labour costs - e.g. rises in wages or salaries and other labour-related costs (such as pension contributions or healthcare schemes) that are not offset by  increases in productivity or changes in working practices. Labour costs could rise  for a variety of reasons including skills shortages, demographic pressures, the introduction of a national minimum wage or workers seeking to maintain theirliving standards in an inflationary period.

● Rising raw material costs - e.g. caused by increases in the demand for certain raw materials and/or shortages (or bottlenecks) in supply. It can also be the result of     the need to switch to more expensive raw material sources because of customer pressure, environmental considerations or lack of availability.

● Rising energy costs - e.g. caused by demand and/or supply problems as in the oil market in recent years, with growth in India and China helping to push up demand and coinciding with supply difficulties linked to events such as the war in Iraq, hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico or decisions by OPEC.

● Increases in the cost of purchasing new technology/capital equipment - e.g. caused by the need to compete with rivals or to meet more stringent government regulations in areas such as health and safety or the environment. As the above examples illustrate, rising input prices can be the result of factors operating at both the micro and macro level and these can range from events which are linked to natural causes to developments of a political, social and/or economic kind. While many of these influences in the business environment are uncontrollable, there are steps business organisations can (and do) often take to address the issue of rising input prices that may threaten their competitiveness. Examples include the following:

● Seeking cheaper sources of labour (e.g. Dyson moved its production of vacuum cleaners to the Far East).

● Abandoning salary-linked pension schemes or other fringe benefits (e.g. com-pany cars, healthcare provisions, paid holidays).

● Outsourcing certain activities (e.g. using call centres to handle customer com-plaints, or outsourcing services such as security, catering, cleaning, payroll, etc.).

● Switching raw materials or energy suppliers (e.g. to take advantage of discounts by entering into longer agreements to purchase).

 ● Energy-saving measures (e.g. through better insulation, more regular servicing of equipment, product and/or process redesign).

● Productivity gains (e.g. introducing incentive schemes).

In addition to measures such as these, some organisations seek cost savings through divestment of parts of the business or alternatively through merger or takeover activity. In the former case the aim tends to be to focus on the organisation’s core products/services and to shed unprofitable and/or costly activities; in the latter the objective is usually to take advantage of economies of scale, particularly those asso-ciated with purchasing, marketing, administration and financing the business.

Case study questions

1 If a company is considering switching production to a country where wage costs  are lower, what other factors will it need to take into account before doing so?

2 Will increased environmental standards imposed by government on businesses   inevitably result in higher business costs?

Case 3 : Government and business - friend or foe?

As we have seen, governments intervene in the day-to-day working of the economy in a variety of ways in the hope of improving the environment in which industrial and commercial activity takes place. How far they are successful in achieving this goal is open to question. Businesses, for example, frequently complain of over-interference  by  governments  and  of  the  burdens  imposed  upon  them  by government legislation and regulation. Ministers, in contrast, tend to stress how  they have helped to create an environment conducive to entrepreneurial activity through the different policy initiatives and through a supportive legal and fiscal regime. Who is right? While there is no simple answer to this question, it is instructive to examine the different surveys which are regularly undertaken of business attitudes and condi-tions in different countries.

 One such survey by the European Commission - and reported by Andrew Osborn in the Guardian on 20 November 2001 - claimed that whereas countries such as Finland, Luxembourg, Portugal and the Netherlands tended to be regarded as business-friendly, the United Kingdom was perceived as the most difficult and complicated country to do business with in the whole of Europe. Foreign firms evidently claimed that the UK was harder to trade with than other countries owing to its bureaucratic procedures and its tendency to rigidly enforce business regulations. EU officials singled out Britain’s complex tax formali-ties, employment regulations and product conformity rules as particular problems for foreign companies - criticisms which echo those of the CBI and other represen-tative bodies who have been complaining of the cost of over-regulation to UK firms over a considerable number of years.The news, however, is not all bad. 

The Competitive Alternatives study (2002) by KPMG of costs in various cities in the G7 countries, Austria and the Netherlands indicated that Britain is the second cheapest place in which to do business in the nine industrial countries (see www.competitivealternatives.com). The survey, which looked at a range of business costs - especially labour costs and taxation -, placed the UK second behind Canada world-wide and in first place within Europe. The country’s strong showing largely reflected its competitive labour costs, with manu-facturing costs estimated to be 12.5 per cent lower than in Germany and 20 per cent lower than many other countries in continental Europe. Since firms frequently use this survey to identify the best places to locate their business, the data on rela-tive costs are likely to provide the UK with a competitive advantage in the battle for foreign inward investment (see Mini case, above).

Case study questions

1 : How would you account for the difference in perspective between firms who often   complain of government over-interference in business matters and ministers who      claim that they have the interests of business at heart when taking decisions?

2 : To what extent do you think that relative costs are the critical factor in determining     inward investment decisions?

Case 4 : The end of the block exemption

As we have seen in the chapter, governments frequently use laws and regulations to promote competition within the marketplace in the belief that this has significant benefits for the consumer and for the economy generally. Such interventions occur not only at national level, but also in situations where governments work together to provide mutual benefits, as in the European Union’s attempts to set up a ‘Single Market’ across the member states of the EU.

While few would deny that competitive markets have many benefits, the search for increased competition at national level and beyond can sometimes be restrained by the political realities of the situation, a point underlined by a previous decision of the EU authorities to allow a block exemption from the normal rules of competition in the EU car market. Under this system, motor manufacturers operat-ing within the EU were permitted to create networks of selective and exclusive dealerships and to engage in certain other activities normally outlawed under the competition provisions of the single market. It was argued that the system of selective and exclusive distribution (SED) benefited consumers by providing them with a cradle-to-grave service, alongside what was said to be a highly competitive supply situation within the heavily branded global car market. Introduced in 1995, and extended until the end of September 2002, the block exemption was highly criticised for its impact on the operation of the car market in Europe.

 Following a critical report by the UK competition authorities in April 2000, the EU published a review (in November 2000) of the workings of the existing arrangement for distributing and servicing cars, highlighting its adverse conse-quences for both consumers and retailers and signalling the need for change. Despite  intensive lobbying by the major car manufacturers, and by some national govern-ments, to maintain the current rules largely intact, the European Commission announced its intention of replacing the block exemption regulation when it expired in September, subject of course to consultation with interested parties. In essence the Commission’s proposals aimed to give dealers far more independ-ence from suppliers by allowing them to solicit for business anywhere in the EU and to open showrooms wherever they want; they would also be able to sell cars supplied by different manufacturers under the same roof. 

The plan also sought to  open up the aftersales market by breaking the tie which existed between sales and servicing. The proposal was that independent repairers would in future be able to get greater access to the necessary spare parts and technology, thereby encouraging new entrants to join the market with reduced initial investment costs. While these proposals were broadly welcomed by groups representing consumers (e.g. the Consumer Association in the UK), some observers felt that the planned reforms did not go far enough to weaken the power of the suppliers over the market (see e.g. the editorial in the Financial Times, 11 January 2002). Forinstance it appeared to be the case that while manufacturers would be able to supply cars to supermarkets and other new retailers, they would not be required by law to do so, suggesting that a market free-for-all was highly unlikely to emerge in the foreseeable future. Equally the Commission’s plans appeared to do little to protect dealers from threats to terminate their franchises should there be a dispute with the supplier. 

In the event the old block exemption scheme expired at the end of September 2002 and the new rules began the next day. However, the majority of the provisions  under the EC rules did not come into effect until the following October (2003) and the ban on ‘location clauses’ - which limit the geographical scope of dealer opera-tions - only came into effect two years later. Since October 2005 dealers have been free to set up secondary sales outlets in other areas of the EU, as well as their own countries. This is expected to stengthen competition between dealers across the Single Market to the advantage of consumers (e.g. greater choice and reduced prices).

How would you account for the difference in perspective between firms who often  complain of government over-interference in business matters and ministers who claim that they have the interests

How would you account for the difference in perspective between firms who often  complain of government over-interference in business matters and ministers who claim that they have the interests

Case study questions

1 Can you suggest any reasons why the European Commission was willing to grant  the block exemption in the first place, given that it ran counter to its proposals for   a Single Market?

2 Why might the new reforms make cars cheaper for European consumers?

Case 5 : The sale of goods on the Internet

The sale of consumer goods on the Internet (particularly those between European member states) raises a number of legal issues. First, there is the issue of trust, with-out which the consumer will not buy; they will need assurance that the seller is genuine, and that they will get the goods that they believe they have ordered. Second, there is the issue of consumer rights with respect to the goods in question: what rights exist and do they vary across Europe? Last, the issue of enforcement: what happens should anything go wrong?

Information and trust

Europe recognises the problems of doing business across the Internet or telephone  and it has attempted to address the main stumbling blocks via Directives. The Consumer Protection (Distance Selling) Regulations 2000 attempts to address the issues of trust in cross-border consumer sales, which may take place over the Internet (or telephone). In short, the consumer needs to know quite a bit of infor-mation, which they may otherwise have easy access to if they were buying face to face. Regulation 7 requires inter alia for the seller to identify themselves and an address must be provided if the goods are to be paid for in advance. Moreover, a full description of the goods and the final price (inclusive of any taxes) must also be provided. 

The seller must also inform the buyer of the right of cancellation available under Regulations 10-12, where the buyer has a right to cancel the contract for seven days starting on the day after the consumer receives the goods or services. Failure to inform the consumer of this right automatically extends the period to three months. The cost of returning goods is to be borne by the buyer, and the seller is entitled to deduct the costs directly flowing from recovery as a restocking fee. All of this places a considerable obligation on the seller; however, such data should stem many misunderstandings and so greatly assist consumer faith and confidence in non-face-to-face sales.Another concern for the consumer is fraud. 

The consumer who has paid by credit card will be protected by section 83 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974, under which a consumer/purchaser is not liable for the debt incurred, if it has been run up by a third party not acting as the agent of the buyer. The Distance Selling Regulations extend this to debit cards, and remove the ability of the card issuer to charge the consumer for the first £50 of loss (Regulation 21). Moreover, section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974 also gives the consumer/buyer a like claim against the credit card company for any misrepresentation or breach of contract by the seller. This is extremely important in a distance selling transaction, where the seller may disappear.

What quality and what rights?

The next issue relates to the quality that may be expected from goods bought over the Internet. Clearly, if goods have been bought from abroad, the levels of quality required in other jurisdictions may vary. It is for this reason that Europe has attempted to standardise the issue of quality and consumer rights, with the Consumer Guarantees Directive (1999/44/EC), thus continuing the push to encour-age cross-border consumer purchases. The implementing Sale and Supply of Goods to Consumer Regulations 2002 came into force in 2003, which not only lays down minimum quality standards, but also provides a series of consumer remedies which will be common across Europe. The Regulations further amend the Sale of Goods Act 1979. The DTI, whose job it was to incorporate the Directive into domestic law (by way of delegated legislation) ensured that the pre-existing consumer rights were maintained, so as not to reduce the overall level of protection available to con-sumers. The Directive requires goods to be of ‘normal’ quality, or fit for any purpose made known by the seller. This has been taken to be the same as our pre-existing ‘reasonable quality’ and ‘fitness for purpose’ obligations owed under sections 14(2) and 14(3) of the Sale of Goods Act 1979. Moreover, the pre-existing remedy of the short-term right to reject is also retained. This right provides the buyer a short period of time to discover whether the goods are in conformity with the contract. 

In practice, it is usually a matter of weeks at most. After that time has elapsed, the consumer now has four new remedies that did not exist before, which
are provided in two pairs. These are repair or replacement, or price reduction or rescission. The pre-existing law only gave the consumer a right to damages, which would rarely be exercised in practice. (However, the Small Claims Court would ensure a speedy and cheap means of redress for almost all claims brought.) Now there is a right to a repair or a replacement, so that the consumer is not left with an impractical action for damages over defective goods. The seller must also bear the cost of return of the goods for repair. So such costs must now be factored into any business sales plan. If neither of these remedies is suitable or actioned within a ‘rea- sonable period of time’ then the consumer may rely on the second pair of remedies. Price reduction permits the consumer to claim back a segment of the pur-chase price if the goods are still useable. 

It is effectively a discount for defective goods. Rescission permits the consumer to reject the goods, but does not get a full refund, as they would under the short-term right to reject. Here money is knocked off for ‘beneficial use’. This is akin to the pre-existing treatment for breaches of durability, where goods have not lasted as long as goods of that type ought reason-ably be expected to last. The level of compensation would take account of the use that the consumer has (if any) been able to put the goods to and a deduction made off the return of the purchase price. However, the issue that must be addressed is as to the length of time that goods may be expected to last. A supplier may state the length of the guarantee period, so a £500 television set guaranteed for one year would have a life expectancy of one year. On the other hand, a consumer may expect a television set to last ten years. Clearly, if the set went wrong after six months, the consumer would only get £250 back if the retailer’s figure was used, but would receive £475 if their own figure was used. It remains to be seen how this provision will work in practice. 

One problem with distance sales has been that of liability for goods which arrive damaged. The pre-existing domestic law stated that risk would pass to the buyer once the goods were handed over to a third-party carrier. This had the major problem in practice of who would actually be liable for the damage. Carriers would blame the supplier and vice versa. The consumer would be able to sue for the loss, if they were able to determine which party was responsible. In practice, consumers usually went uncompensated and such a worry has put many consumers off buying goods over the Internet. The Sale and Supply of Goods to Consumer Regulations also modify the transfer of risk, so that now the risk remains with the seller until actual delivery. This will clearly lead to a slight increase in the supply of goods to consumers, with the goods usually now being sent by insured delivery. However, this will avoid the prob-lem of who is actually liable and should help to boost confidence.

Enforcement

Enforcement for domestic sales is relatively straightforward. Small-scale consumer claims can be dealt with expeditiously and cheaply under the Small Claims Court. Here claims under £5000 for contract-based claims are brought in a special court intended to keep costs down by keeping the lawyers’ out of the court room, as a vic-torious party cannot claim for their lawyers’ expenses. The judge will conduct the case in a more ‘informal’ manner, and will seek to discover the legal issues by ques-tioning both parties, so no formal knowledge of the law is required. The total cost of such a case, even if it is lost, is the cost of issuing the proceedings (approximately 10 per cent of the value claimed) and the other side’s ‘reasonable expenses’. Expenses must be kept down, and a judge will not award value which has been deliberately run up, such first-class rail travel and stays in five star hotels. Residents of Northampton have hosted a trial of an online claims procedure, so that claims may now be made via the Internet.

 (www.courtservice.gov.uk outlines the procedure for MCOL, or Money Claims Online.) Cases will normally be held in the defendant’s court, unless the complainant is a consumer and the defendant a business. Enforcement is the weak point in the European legislation, for there is, as yet, no European-wide Small Claims Court dealing with transnational European transac-tions. The consumer is thus forced to contemplate expensive civil action abroad in a foreign language, perhaps where no such small claims system exists - a pointless measure for all but the most expensive of consumer purchases. The only redress lies in EEJ-Net, the European Extra-Judicial Network, which puts the complainant in touch with any applicable professional or trade body in the supplier’s home member state. It does require the existence of such a body, which is unlikely if the transac-tion is for electrical goods, which is one of the most popular types of Internet purchase. Therefore, until Europe provides a Euro Small Claims Court, the consumer cross-border buyer may have many rights, but no effective means of enforcement. Until then it would appear that section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974, which gives the buyer the same remedies against their credit card company as against the seller, is the only effective means of redress.

Case study questions

1 Consider the checklist of data which a distance seller must provide to a consumer purchaser. Is this putting too heavy a burden on sellers?

2 Is a consumer distance buyer any better off after the European legislation?

3 Are there any remaining issues that must be tackled to increase European cross-
border consumer trade?

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