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• 2004 – Czech Republic joined EU • Fiscal and monetary policy aims to align its macroeconomic conditions with the rest of the EU. • The earliest date to join eurozne is unknown ...may be 2012 "Economics is the social science that examines how people choose to use limited or scarce resources in attempting to satisfy their unlimited wants." The Basic Factors of Prodution The four basic factors (resources) of production are: 1) Land- such as land, trees and minerals 2) Labor- the mental and physical skills of individuals 3) Capital- such as tools, machines and factories used in production or to facilitate production 4) Entrepreneurship -The availability of natural resources, labour and capital is not sufficient to ensure economic success. These factors of production have to be combined and organised by people who see opportunities for making a profit and who are willing to take risks by producing goods and services in the expectation that they will be sold. It is not just a matter of what resources we have but also of how well we use them. Scarcity, Choice, and Opportunity Cost Limited Resources & Unlimited Wants Scarcity Choices Opportunity Cost • Defines the boundary of what is possible for a country to produce with its given resources. It represents all efficient combinations of products in a two product economy. • All inefficient combinations are contained within the boundary curve. Point R lies outside the PPC and is impossible to achieve during the time period assumed. Production possibilities curve illustrates two essential principles: 1-Scarce resources 2-Opportunity costs Unattainable If the nation is at point S, it means that its resources are not being fully utilized. We have unemployment. Attainable Point S is called an inefficient point, which is defined as any point below the PPC. Resource Ownership • Communism – Most resources are owned in common • Socialism – Most resources are owned by state • Capitalism – Most resources are owned privately Types of Economic Systems • An economic system is composed of two features – Mechanism for allocating resources • Market • Command – Mode of resource ownership • Private • State Types of Economic Systems Resource Allocation Private Market Command Market Capitalism Centrally Planned Capitalism Market Socialism Centrally Planned Socialism Resource Ownership State Political Systems Totalitarian state Imposed authority Lack of constitutional guarantees Restricted participation Companies might need to pay bribes to government The business law is vague Doing business seems to be a risky proposition Democratic state Freedom Rights Stable business environment thanks to laws Freedom and no censorship Doing business in a democratic state seems to be safer than in a totalitarian state • Relative factor endowments – The theory states that a country will have a comparative advantage in producing products that intensively use resources (factors of production) that it has in abundance. The Heckscher-Ohlin Theorem Definition: A nation will export the commodity whose production requires the intensive use of the nation’s relatively abundant and cheap factor and import the commodity whose production requires the intensive use of the nation’s relatively scare and expensive factor. Entry Modes Exporting Turnkey Projects Licensing Franchising Joint Ventures Wholly Owned Subsidiaries Advantages and disadvantages of entry modes • Differences in Technology • Differences in resources endowments - Factors cost and competitivness • Differences in demand • Existence of economies of scale in production • Existence of government policies, security - The international business environment • Market size and distance between markets - Market factors • Cultural environment • Demographic environment • Econmic environment • Natural environment • Technological environment • Political Environmnet • The political environment includes all laws, government agencies, and lobbying groups that influence or restrict individuals in the society. The international business is also subject to political decrees made by government both in „home“ and „host“ countries. Political environment • The political environment has an important impact on the business • There is a large field with many factors which the companies have to consider if they want to expand overseas • Political environment is not stable and can change quickly • The political environment creates advantages and disadvantages Political Environment Rapid and uncertain change ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ China’s transition to a market economy European expansion and integration Russia’s unstable political institutions The emergence of political Islam in the Middle East Significant differences across countries ◦ Less stable governments increase political risk ◦ Uncertain responses to democratization Change in government policies ◦ Adjusting to adjust to new perspectives and changing requirements ◦ Assessing political risks The Political Risk Government actions that could adversely affect the long-run profitability or value of a firm. The risk that political decisions or events in a country negatively affect the profitability or sustainability of an investment. What are the 6 dimensions of the Governance Indicators? • • • • • • Voice and Accountability includes in it a number of indicators measuring various aspects of the political process, civil liberties, political and human rights, measuring the extent to which citizens of a country are able to participate in the selection of governments. Political Stability and Absence of Violence combines several indicators which measure perceptions of the likelihood that the government in power will be destabilized or overthrown by possibly unconstitutional and/or violent means, including domestic violence and terrorism. Government Effectiveness combines responses on the quality of public service provision, the quality of the bureaucracy, the competence of civil servants, the independence of the civil service from political pressures, and the credibility of the government's commitment to policies. Regulatory Quality instead focuses more on the policies themselves, including measures of the incidence of market-unfriendly policies such as price controls or inadequate bank supervision, as well as perceptions of the burdens imposed by excessive regulation in areas such as foreign trade and business development. Rule of Law includes several indicators which measure the extent to which agents have confidence in and abide by the rules of society. These include perceptions of the incidence of crime, the effectiveness and predictability of the judiciary, and the enforceability of contracts. Finally, Control of Corruption is a measure of the extent of corruption, conventionally defined as the exercise of public power for private gain. It is based on scores of variables from polls of experts and surveys. • • • • • • Stability of the government. Government type (dictatorship, democratic, monarchy,etc). Economic policies of the government. Trade policy. Supply side policies Diplomatic events in surrounding countries. • • • • Institutional environment Property rights Taxation Movement of equity and expropriation threats • Intellectual Property Property that results from people’s intellectual talent and abilities. • Industrial Property Industrial property includes patents and trademarks. • Copyrights Copyrights give creators of original works the freedom to publish or dispose of them as they choose. Three Types of Political Risk • Ownership Risk – Exposes property and life • Operating Risk – Interference with the ongoing operations of a firm • Transfer Risk – Limitations on the outflow of funds Political Risk May Involve • Confiscation – The government takeover of a firm without compensation to the owners. • Expropriation – A form of government takeover in which the firm’s owners are compensated. • Domestication – The government demands transfer of ownership and management responsibility. Forced sale of equity to host-country nationals, usually at or below depreciated book value Political Risk May Involve • Loss of technology or other intellectual property (such as patents, trademarks, or trade names) • Interference in managerial decision making • Dishonesty by government officials, including canceling or altering contractual agreements, extortion demands, and so forth Political Risk May Involve • Discriminatory treatment against foreign firms in the application of regulations or laws • Barriers to repatriation of funds (profits or equity) What is Political Risk? • • • • • • • • The firm´s own country´s relations with other countries Sensetivity of the product or industry Size and location of operation – the bigger the more vulnerable Host country´s political situation Contribution to host country, for example employment Localisation of operations Subsidiary dependence Firms can take out insurance to cover losses due to political and economic risk. Managing Political Risk • Avoidance – either the avoidance or withdrawal of investment in a particular country • Adaptation – adjust to the political environment • Dependency – keeping the host nation dependent on the parent corporation • Hedging – minimizing the losses associated with political risk events Favorable political relationships foster stable business environments increase international cooperation in many areas lead to increase business opportunities and lower risk The World Trade relationships Organisation can facilitate political The WTO ensures that trade flows as smoothly, predictably and freely as possible. International Law • The World Trade Organization defines internationally acceptable economic practices for its member nations. • The Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) provides procedures for filing patent applications. • The United Nations has developed codes and guidelines that affect international business. In cases of disagreement, the parties can choose: • Arbitration: Procedures are quicker and often spelled out in the original contract • Litigation: Often involves extensive delays and is very costly Bribery • Firms operating abroad are affected by laws against bribery and corruption. • International businesses may bribe to counterbalance poor product quality, to create a market for goods, or to stay competitive with other firms that bribe. Trade Barriers What is a Trade Barrier Import duties Import quotas Import licenses Tariffs Export licenses Subsidies Non-tariff barriers to trade Voluntary Export Restraints • • • • Ad valorem duties: This duty is a percentage of the value of goods. Specific duties: These duties are expressed as a specific amount of currency per unit of weight, volume, length or number of other units of measurements….one dollar per pair. Alternative duties: In this case both ad valorem and specific duties are set out in the custom tarrif for a given product.Normally, the applicable rate is the one that yeilds the higher amount of duty. Compound or mixed duties: These duties provide for specific plus ad valorem rates to be levied on the same articles. • • • • Anti-dumping dunes: The term dumping refers to the sale of a product at a price lower than normally charged in a domestic market or country of origin. Variable import levies: Apply to the imports of various agricultural products. The objective of these levies is to raise the price of imported products to the domestic price level. Temporary import surcharges: From time to time to provide additional protection for local industry and, in particular, in response to balance of payments deficits. Compensatory import taxes: In the theory these taxes correspond with various international taxes, such as valueadded taxes and sales taxes. • • • Single – column tarrif: single rate of duty for each item applicable to all countries. Two column tarrif: reduced rates agreed through negotiations with other countries. (under GATT). A preferential tarrif is a reduced tarrif rate applied to import from certain countries. GATT prohibits the use of preferential tarrifs with the major exceptions of historical peference schemes, such as the British Commonwealth preferences…or free trade areas Trade Restrictions • Arguments for Trade Restrictions – National Defense • Certain industries need protection • Imports may not be available during wartime. Domestic production essential to provide war materials. • Prevent valuable technologies from being used to strengthen competition, especially militarily • National Security Is threatened by trade. – Sanctions to Punish Offending Nations • Inflict economic damage to encourage, to modify behavior – Protect Infant or Dying Industry • In the long run will have a comparative advantage • Special Industries with Unique and Substantial Economic Potential will not mature without Protection from Trade. Trade Restrictions • Arguments for Trade Restrictions - Jobs are destroyed by trade. Protect Domestic Jobs from Cheap Foreign Labor. - Worker wages are hurt by trade. Greatest problem for low-skilled workers. - Infant Industry Argument: Special Industries with Unique and Substantial Economic Potential will not mature without Protection from trade.The contention that tariffs should be imposed to protect from import competition an industry that is trying to get started. After the industry becomes technologically efficient, the tariff can be lifted. -Unfair competition undermines the benefits of trade. Fair competition brings cost of imported goods up to domestically produced goods to prevent unfair advantage Trade Restrictions • Protection to reduce trade deficit – Deficits due to Macroeconomic imbalance national saving < national investment. – Direct effect of protection is lower imports, but also appreciates currency exports fall, imports rise no reduction in trade deficit! • Protection as bargaining Device – Trade barriers as bargaining chip in trade negotiations. – Gains from unilateral liberalization – More threats, but how much trade liberalization? Trade Restrictions Retaliation • Import restrictions placed by another country may result in similar restrictions by domestic government. (EU ban on hormone treated U.S. beef). What is Dumping? Normal Value in the Exporting Market Export Price If a product is exported at a price (Export Price) lower than the price (Normal Value) it normally charges on its own home market, it constitutes “dumping” Reasons for Retaliation • Dumping is the selling of a product abroad for less than – The average cost of production in the exporting nation – The market price in the exporting nation – The price to third countries • Result of – Excess production – Cyclical or seasonal factors – Attempt to force domestic producers out of business The Impact of dumping Loss of Sales Reduced Profits Loss of market share Reduced returns on investments Decline in output Under utilization of capacity Adverse Effect On Cash flow Inventories Employment Wages Growth New Investment Ability to raise capital Other Reasons for Retaliation • Subsidies – Government provides to domestic firm to encourage exports or protect from imports – Can be • • • • Cash payment Government participation in ownership Low-cost loans Preferential tax treatment • Countervailing Duties – Set by importing nation to offset effects of subsidy – Equal to the subsidy amount Anti-Dumping and Countervailing Duties • Anti-Dumping and Countervailing Duties – in response to foreign firms “unfairly” selling goods in the U.S. at “less than fair value.” – Countervailing duty meant to offset foreign subsidies. • Restrictions on Services – aircraft landing rights; sea transport restrictions; insurance • Domestic Content Provisions – particularly important in Preferential Trade Areas, e.g., NAFTA Types of Restrictions - Nontariff • Quantitative – Quotas – Voluntary Export Restraints • Nonquantitative Nontariff – Direct government participation in trade Quota System – A government-imposed restriction on the quantity of a specific good that another country is allowed to sell in the Czech Republic – In other words, quotas are restrictions on imports, usually applied to one or several specific countries. Quotas • Quota is a set maximum on imports in volume or value terms. • Similarities to tariff that results in same level of imports: – increase domestic sale price and production; reduce consumption. – transfer from consumer to producer. • Quotas do not generate any tariff revenue! – quota rent domestic sale price in excess of cost of imports. Quota rent is pure profit. • Quotas likely welfare inferior to tariff due to lost quota rent. – wasted in costly lobbying for quota licenses. – given to foreign governments. Other Barriers to Trade • • • • • Government Procurement Policies Administrative Classification Health and Safety Standards Social Policies Performance Requirements (typically applying to foreign direct investment) Levels of Regional Integration Political Union Coordinate aspects of members’ economic and political systems Remove barriers to trade, labor, and capital; Economic Union set a common trade policy against nonmembers; and coordinate members’ economic policies Remove all barriers to trade, labor, and capital Common Market among members; and set a common trade policy against nonmembers Customs Union Remove all barriers to trade among members, and set a common trade policy against nonmembers Free-Trade Area Remove all barriers to trade among members, but each country has own policies for nonmembers International Trade Organizations • General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) An international agreement established in 1947 to further world trade by reducing barriers and tariffs. Several “Rounds” of Liberalization. first few on tariff reductions, admitting new members; many quotas eliminated. GATT was replaced by the World Trade Organization in 1995. International Trade Organizations • World Trade Organization (WTO) • Reductions in Tariffs Worldwide - Trade Liberalization • New Rules to Promote Trade in Services • Reduction in Agricultural Subsidies • Intellectual Property Protections • Phasing Out Textile Quotas and Tariffs Principles of the Multilateral Trading System (Applies to Goods) Non-Discrimination Treat members no worse than any other member. National Treatment: treat imports no worse than domestic goods once inside border. Reciprocity Mutual, reciprocal, equivalent trade concessions. Negotiated reductions in trade barriers. Limits free riding; overcomes Protectionist Bias. Political Environment - China • • • Emerging economic power Government’s desire to balance – National, immediate needs – Challenge of a free market economy and globalization Government attempting to open up the economy 1. Speed up conversion of state enterprises into corporations 2. Expand capital markets by authorizing new stock listings 3. Sell off most of the 305,000 state enterprises (or let go bankrupt) 4. Reduce tariffs to 10 percent Political Environment - Europe • • • • Privatization and economic liberalization reinforce EUwide political and economic integration Political power is variable and complex Strong opposition to U.S.- sometimes spill over into business relationships and dealings Europe is a large interwoven region economically, but contains vast cultural differences Political Environment - Russia • Neglect, corruption, and confusing changes in economic policy • Infrastructure is weak and a political quagmire – Legal – Financial – Trade sectors • Corruption interferes with attraction of more foreign investment Political Environment – The Middle East • Doing business requires knowledge of – Regulations – Legal environment – Tax regimes – Accounting methods – Business structures – Import/export regulations – Manpower and labor regulations – Restrictions on foreign capital investment Political Environment – The Middle East • Doing business in Middle Eastern countries is risky and potentially dangerous – War on terrorism – Afghanistan, and Iraq wars – Israel—Arab conflicts – Rising tensions and arab spring • Business requires knowledge of Islam – Religion and way of life – Framework of life and society – Islamic fundamentalists have become aggressive toward U.S. and its allies.