Appendix

Questionnaire:

This questionnaire is relative to market information for internalization of small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

General Questions:

1. Name of the company
2. Number of employees
3. Turnover in millions ($)
4. The number of countries that the entity has operating branches
5. Number of countries that the entity has its products and services being sold
6. How does the entity define its international experience

Market Questions

1. The economic position and outlook of the company in the foreign markets as compared to its position in the local markets
2. What percentage do exports make up the total sales of your organization?
3. How does your organization collect marketing information such as macroeconomic data, market data, patent analyses, compliance data, and customer related data and competitor data.
4. How does the organization apply technology towards collection of data relative to marketing and the respective foreign markets?
5. What type of information is relatively important to the organization?
6. How does data on local laws and regulations affect the product and technologies used by the organization
7. What are some of the limitations faced in the foreign markets in terms of infrastructure and compliance issues?
8. What other strategies does the organization employ in the search for information in the market?
9. What are some of the most important factors for success in the foreign markets?
10. What are some of the factors that impede success for a majority of organizations seeking entry into foreign markets mainly dealing in similar products or services?
11. What are some of the main challenges experienced towards accessing information in the international markets relative to the marketing strategies and market conditions?
12. What kind of information do you consider as the most elusive in the current market?
13. Is your organization currently using internal or external personnel and experts to obtain information in the market? (External personnel included business associations consultants, chamber of commerce among other agencies that would provide effective services on marketing information)
14. Is the organization using either internal or external personnel to apply its marketing strategies to realize its marketing plan goals and objectives?
15. Does your organization use internal or external expertise and personnel to evaluate existing and potential new markets for its products and services?
16. If the entity relates on internal expertise for marketing information and evaluation of potential markets, what tools are used to gather accurate information?
17. Does your organization hold the belief that external expertise using similar approaches could provide higher levels of accuracy in terms of marketing data as compared to the internal personnel?
18. Does technology play an important role in enhancing the collection of information on marketing strategies and market conditions for the organization in foreign and local markets?
19. What does your organization prefer to use in terms of expertise in the collection of marketing information and other important data relative to foreign and local markets that the organization operates? Either internal or external personnel?
20. Has your organization been operating in the foreign market for more than 5 years? If not, how many years? If yes, how many years?
21. Do differences between local market attitudes, belief systems, norms and cultures of consumers affect the success of the organization in the foreign market?
22. Do you think that the size of your firm plays a role in your success or failure in foreign markets?
23. With advancements in technology and globalization, do you foresee your organization spreading its operations to other countries in the next 24months or more?
24. Is there bias in foreign markets in terms of favoritism from foreign governments towards the local industries?
25. Does culture play a role in determining the success of the entity in foreign market? If so, provide a brief description of underlying reasons.
26. With rapid rates of globalization experienced in modern markets, will entry into foreign markets be enhanced?
27. Do exports provide an effective means of entry into foreign markets?
28. What strategies does your organization employ to gain entry into foreign markets?
29. What factors do you consider as motivation for entry into foreign markets?
30. Do foreign markets promise relatively higher profits than local markets?
31. What do you think is the trend for a majority of organizations in the world in respect to internationalization and technology? A brief description would be appropriate.