Gradually, Swedish SMEs are expanding into emerging markets in order to seize superior opportunities of growth. Within these internationalization efforts, identifying and selecting the most promising foreign target markets is regarded to be a critical success factor. The external business environment, the attractiveness of the targeted market segment in terms of the competitive situation, and the match between the customers’ needs and a company’s resources and capabilities are major factors which determine the prospects of success of establishing business in an emerging market. By applying an abductive research approach, the authors conducted a holistic single-case study of a typical case for Swedish SMEs internationalizing into emerging markets. Through that, the authors were able to answer the research questions of the paper. A theoretical framework was synthesized, combining latest research on emerging country markets with classical models. The framework guided the authors through the entire research process. Several propelling, as well as hampering factors for the case company’s prospects of success in the targeted market segment were identified. Based on the analysis of the empirical findings, the authors found that there are clear opportunities for the case company to increase its business. This conclusion is due to a weak threat of competitors in a broader context, which were regarded to not being able to satisfy the customers’ needs of key importance sufficiently. Competitors in a narrower context were regarded to not have a significant competitive advantage compared with the case company.

Date: 6/16/2008 Institution: School of Sustainable Development of Society and Technology, Mälardalen University, Västerås (Sweden) Authors: Brüning, Andrea 830111 Västerås Curtolo,Anna 820517 Västerås Tutor: Tobias Eltebrandt Title: A Study of Switch Pac: what would be the efficient ways for Switch Pac to increase potential demand and capitalize on green attitudes and behavior in the Swedish market? Problem: What would be the efficient ways for Switch Pac to increase potential demand and capitalize on green attitudes and behavior in the Swedish market? Purpose: The aim of our project is to see the potential of Switch Pac’s oxo-biodegradable plastic bags on the Swedish market by capitalize on green attitudes and behaviour. Method: The report is based on primary data collected through questionnaires (end consumer/ B2B customers). For the investigation of Switch Pac’s macro- and microenvironment secondary data was used (books, journals, newspaper and the Internet) Conceptual Framework: The conceptual framework consists of certain models to investigate the following topics: Consumer behavior AIDA-Model STP-Model Switch Pac´s business environment PESTEL Conclusion/ Recommendations: In our conclusion based on our frameworks PESTEL, AIDA and STP we concluded that peoples’ awareness regarding environmental friendly plastic bags are not very high based on our questionnaire. The efficient ways for Switch Pac to increase potential demand is to target the customer in the age range from 20 – 49 years and cooperate with supermarkets and (department) stores. Furthermore, Switch Pac needs to position its products in the consumers mind through create brand awareness by using certain elements of the marketing mix model.

Due to South Africa's history of apartheid the current regime have implemented the Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) policy to rectify the discrimination against previously disadvantaged groups. The BEE policy gives incentives for companies to hire non-whites in higher positions, like management, and the ambition with this is to create equality. With a qualitative research method and using an abductive approach this study research how South African SMMEs are influenced by the BEE policy when they internationalize. This study concludes that South African SMMEs are differently influenced by the BEE policy when they internationalize. Furthermore, this research shows that the impact is highly dependent on the business owners ethnicity. The influence the BEE policy had on black owned business was predominantly positive. However, the effect the BEE policy had on white owned businesses was more complex. As far as this research shows, the influence the BEE policy had on SMMEs when they internationalize are an extension of how the BEE policy influenced them in the domestic market. The authors recommendation is that the relationship between BEE and internationalization is further investigated and that this study is complemented with a quantitative research.

This study focus on evolution of the business environment in Russia since the fall of Soviet Union, its main features and the impacts of Ukraine Crisis on it. At first, the term business environment is generally described. Next part is dedicated to the most important steps of transformation process Russia underwent and the consequences of 1998 Russian financial crisis. Evaluation of the current performace is based on main economic indicators and the rankings created by international organizations. Second part describes the roots and the development of Ukraine Crisis and the timeline of the measures imposed. Impacts are examined not only from macroeconomic view, but also from the point of view of czech companies exporting to Russia.

This thesis focuses on Czech-German business cooperation and how it is influenced by cultural differences. The goal of this thesis is to briefly summarize the Czech-German historical relations and the current state. The thesis also tries to predict the future course of this business cooperation. I also focus on the influence of cultural differences on business cooperation in the second part of this paper. I describe possible problems and also the suggested solutions to them.

The aim of the thesis is to classify european countries in terms of their business climate using the method of cluster analysis over the years 2008-2013. Changes in classification during this period are associated with events of global significance (e.g. World financial crisis) or local importance (reforms, EU strategy...). Data base consists of indicators describing administrative, financial and law environment for doing business and are publicated by World Bank. Clusters indicate both geographic conditionality and specific attributes of these clusters, which suggest countries with better/worse conditions in some of the areas. Particular attention is given to development in the Czech republic. There was significant change in classificiation between 2008 and 2009 and subsequently became stable. The results of analysis correspond to the existing rankings and indicators of business demography. Potentials for improvement which might leed to stabel economic development according to the conducted analysis are outlined in the end of the thesis (f.e. implementation of unified administrative points, electronization and further simplification of bureaucratic processes).

The objective of the diploma thesis is aimed at business plan for real estate agency. Theoretical part of the thesis focuses on basic definitions regarding new company establishment. As follows: business laws, legal form of companies, business grants and structure of the business plan. Practical part describes a business plan for real estate agency and evaluate the business environment and current competition through these methods: Porter Five Force Model, SWOT -- and PEST analyses. Further, these partial components of the business plan are scrutinized - an array of services for customers, human resources, marketing and financial planning. Evaluation of project feasibility is based on analysis results.

In the last five years, the US has experienced a significant number of unprecedented events, many of which will have long-term impact on its business environment. Given this fact and the rapid pace of change in the world today, there is a new imperative for understanding and managing these complex dynamics and associated emergent risks. This dissertation, therefore, focused on analyzing the current state of the US business environment; the analysis creates a basis for further examination of the various aspects of the studied problems. The author undertook a comprehensive environmental scan, using a broad set of information resources, in order to look at its present status and the factors affecting it as well as the perceived level of risk. During this process, the author also attempted to verify whether the current method of PEST analysis is still a relevant and useful tool given today's complex, intertwined and quickly evolving global business environment. The first chapter is devoted to the theoretical background of information seeking and environmental analysis as well as classifying international business risks. Chapter two takes a broad look at the US macro economy, including the following areas: Political, Legal, Economic, Socio-Cultural and Technological. Chapter three is a business application, and the bulk of its content is devoted to the specifics of the current US business environment; the perceived risks affecting it are also investigated. Final conclusions are drawn based on the research conducted.

The aim of this diploma thesis is to analyze historical development, current situation and potential trends of future development of business enviroment in Russian Federation. This thesis shall provide sufficient information base especially for small and medium-sized Czech enterprises, that are deciding whether to export to the Russian market, or act on it directly. The thesis is also focussing on possible advantages of Czech enterprises in export to Russian market, as well as on various kinds of support, that are provided to them by governmental and non-governmental organizations in Czech Republic.

The diploma thesis is focused on the proposal of strategic development of the transport company DZS. M.K- Trans, s.r.o. operating in Slovakia. The theoretical part defines the basis necessary for understanding the issues of planning the development and growth of the company, including a description of selected analytical methods. The aim of the analytical part, is to identify the key factors affecting the current situation of the company and will serve as a basis for deciding on strategic directions. In the third part is chosen the most suitable development strategy, which will lead to strengthening of the selected company on the market.