International Marketing (DP IB Business Management: HL): Exam Questions

1 hour18 questions
12 marks

Case Study

Maldives Resorts Ltd operates luxury beach resorts and is analysing various economic indicators before entering Caribbean markets. They are particularly focused on the standard of living in these destinations.

State two factors that indicate improvements in the standard of living in an economy.

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22 marks

Case Study

Kadikoy Fashion operates a chain of fast-fashion retail stores in Turkey and is researching various factors, including the ease of doing business, that could impact their planned expansion into Western European markets.

State two factors related to ease of doing business.

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32 marks

Case Study

Muenchener Logistik GmbH is evaluating markets before expanding their freight operations with foreign direct investment into Eastern Europe.

Define the term 'foreign direct investment'.

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42 marks

Case Study

Australian Financial Services Ltd expanded their banking operations globally in 2024, achieving significant distribution economies through increased scale.

Define the term 'distribution economies'.

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52 marks

Case Study

Managers at Malaysian Textiles are carefully reviewing marketing materials for potential language issues before entering Middle Eastern markets in 2025.

State two potential language issues in international marketing.

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62 marks

Case Study

St. Moritz Personal Care Products discovered their cosmetics packaging carried unintended meanings in several East Asian markets during their 2023 expansion. The Marketing function recognises that future promotional activity must have greater cultural sensitivity.

Define the term 'cultural sensitivity'.

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72 marks

Case Study

Tokyo Toys is evaluating potential marketing pitfalls before launching their children's products in European markets in 2026. It recognises that some products may require cultural adaptation.

State two promotional elements that may require cultural adaptation.

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82 marks

Case Study

EcoShade, a sustainable outdoor furniture brand, is planning to expand into South America. The company is researching infrastructure and disposable income levels in the region to guide its decision.

Explain one reason why EcoShade should consider infrastructure before entering a new market.

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16 marks

Case Study

AquaPure manufactures eco-friendly water filters for home and office use. The company plans to enter the South American market due to increasing awareness of environmental sustainability. AquaPure is considering market entry strategies and has conducted a PESTLE analysis to evaluate the market’s attractiveness.

Factors like infrastructure, political stability, and levels of disposable income are favourable. However, the company must also address challenges such as fluctuating exchange rates and adapting its marketing strategy to cultural preferences. AquaPure is particularly concerned about navigating the regulatory landscape and avoiding cultural missteps in its branding and promotional materials.

Analyse two advantages and one disadvantage of AquaPure entering the South American market

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24 marks

Case Study

AquaPure manufactures eco-friendly water filters for home and office use. The company plans to enter the South American market due to increasing awareness of environmental sustainability. AquaPure is considering market entry strategies and has conducted a PESTLE analysis to evaluate the market’s attractiveness.

Factors like infrastructure, political stability, and levels of disposable income are favourable. However, the company must also address challenges such as fluctuating exchange rates and adapting its marketing strategy to cultural preferences. AquaPure is particularly concerned about navigating the regulatory landscape and avoiding cultural missteps in its branding and promotional materials.

Describe two cultural considerations AquaPure should address when marketing its water filters in South America.

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34 marks

Case Study

TechServe is a growing IT services provider specialising in cloud computing and data security. The company plans to expand into the Asian market, where demand for IT services is rapidly increasing. TechServe aims to capitalise on opportunities in this region, including strong economic growth and increasing investment in technology infrastructure.

However, the company must also navigate potential challenges, such as data protection laws that vary between countries and differing technological adoption rates. TechServe is particularly focused on adapting its services to meet local regulatory requirements while maintaining its competitive advantage.

Explain one opportunity and one threat TechServe faces in expanding into the Asian market.

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46 marks

Case Study

TechServe is a growing IT services provider specialising in cloud computing and data security. The company plans to expand into the Asian market, where demand for IT services is rapidly increasing. TechServe aims to capitalise on opportunities in this region, including strong economic growth and increasing investment in technology infrastructure.

However, the company must also navigate potential challenges, such as data protection laws that vary between countries and differing technological adoption rates. TechServe is particularly focused on adapting its services to meet local regulatory requirements while maintaining its competitive advantage.

Analyse two advantages and one disadvantage of TechServe adapting its services to meet local regulatory requirements in Asia.

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54 marks

Case Study

Horizon Travel Gear designs lightweight, durable travel accessories for adventure enthusiasts. The company is expanding into the Middle Eastern market, where demand for travel-related products is growing. Horizon recognises the importance of adapting its products and marketing to align with cultural norms.

To appeal to local customers, Horizon plans to introduce travel accessories in more conservative designs and colours, reflecting regional preferences. The company also intends to modify its promotional campaigns, avoiding imagery or messages that could conflict with cultural values. However, Horizon faces challenges in balancing these adaptations with its global brand identity.

Explain one advantage and one disadvantage of Horizon adapting its product designs for the Middle Eastern market.

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64 marks

Case Study

Horizon Travel Gear designs lightweight, durable travel accessories for adventure enthusiasts. The company is expanding into the Middle Eastern market, where demand for travel-related products is growing. Horizon recognises the importance of adapting its products and marketing to align with cultural norms.

To appeal to local customers, Horizon plans to introduce travel accessories in more conservative designs and colours, reflecting regional preferences. The company also intends to modify its promotional campaigns, avoiding imagery or messages that could conflict with cultural values. However, Horizon faces challenges in balancing these adaptations with its global brand identity.

Describe two cultural factors Horizon should consider when marketing its travel accessories in the Middle Eastern market.

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7
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2 marks

Case Study

CleanPure Ltd. manufactures portable water filters, targeting markets with limited access to clean drinking water. The company is assessing the potential market size for its filters in a region of South America. Market research shows that approximately 80% of households in the region could benefit from portable water filters. The average household spends $150 annually on clean water solutions, but CleanPure estimates its product could capture 30% of the total market.

Market Data

Value

Households

12 million

Average Household Spending ($)

150

CleanPure Market Share Estimate (%)

30

Calculate the total market size for portable water filters in the targeted region of South America (show all your working).

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110 marks

Case Study

SpeedyDeliver Ltd is a fast-growing logistics company specialising in last-mile delivery for online retailers. The company’s mission is “To deliver faster, smarter and greener”, reflecting its focus on speed, innovation and sustainability. Operating in three major regions, SpeedyDeliver serves over 200 retail partners and aims to reduce delivery times by 15% within two years while transitioning 50% of its fleet to electric vehicles

SpeedyDeliver is exploring overseas expansion into fast-growing e-commerce markets in Asia and Europe. These markets offer significant opportunities for revenue growth, with projections suggesting an increase of 30% in annual revenue within three years. However, expansion comes with risks, including compliance with local regulations, currency fluctuations and competition from established local firms. The move would require substantial investment in infrastructure and staff recruitment, with initial costs estimated at $10m. Despite these challenges, the board believes that SpeedyDeliver’s commitment to sustainability and innovation could provide a competitive edge

Internally, the company faces growing resistance to change, particularly regarding its use of automation. Employees have protested the introduction of automated sorting systems, as they fear job losses, even though management has pledged to reskill affected workers. Customers, meanwhile, have reported increasing delivery delays, with complaints rising by 20% over the past seven years. These issues highlight the challenges of balancing operational efficiency with stakeholder expectations

Cultural differences are also a concern as the company considers overseas markets. SpeedyDeliver’s leadership recognises the importance of understanding and adapting to local business practices, especially in diverse markets such as Asia. Failure to align its operations with local cultures could hinder its expansion efforts

Effective communication has emerged as a key priority. Formal updates are shared through management emails and company meetings, but informal feedback suggests that many employees feel uninformed about the company’s strategic direction. The board is considering introducing regular town hall meetings and anonymous surveys to improve communication and address employee concerns

To fund its plans, SpeedyDeliver is reviewing investment options, including issuing shares or securing loans. The company must balance its growth ambitions with the need to address existing inefficiencies, maintain employee morale and meet environmental goals

Table 1: SpeedyDeliver financial overview (2023)

Metric

Value ($)

Annual revenue

50m

Net profit

7.5m

Operating costs

42.5m

Estimated investment for expansion (first year)

10m

Table 2: Stakeholder satisfaction survey (2023)

Stakeholder group

Key concern

Satisfaction (%)

Employees

Job security (automation)

55

Customers

Delivery reliability

60

Shareholders

Growth and profitability

75

Environmental groups

Commitment to carbon neutrality

40

Graph: Delivery complaints (2016–2023)

A trend line showing increasing customer complaints between 2016 and 2023, from around 2.4% to 20%.

Discuss two cultural challenges SpeedyDeliver Ltd may face when expanding into overseas markets.

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210 marks

Case Study

Horizon Travel Gear designs lightweight, durable travel accessories for adventure enthusiasts. The company is expanding into the Middle Eastern market, where demand for high-quality travel products is growing. This expansion requires Horizon to carefully consider cultural, economic and competitive factors

Horizon’s strategy involves adapting its products and marketing campaigns to suit regional preferences. To appeal to local customers, the company plans to introduce travel accessories with more conservative designs and neutral colours, reflecting cultural norms. Horizon also intends to modify its promotional content, avoiding imagery or messages that might conflict with cultural values. For example, advertisements will emphasise family-orientated travel and adventure within the region rather than activities that could be perceived as inappropriate or overly individualistic

The company recognises the importance of research and development (R&D) in supporting this market entry. Horizon is developing a line of temperature-resistant materials for products such as backpacks and water bottles to cater to the region's hot climate. Prototypes are being tested for durability and customer satisfaction. The R&D department is also studying ways to reduce production costs while maintaining product quality

Horizon faces challenges in balancing cultural adaptation with maintaining its global brand identity. Additionally, the company must navigate logistical issues such as import tariffs, exchange rate fluctuations and supplier reliability. Competition is also significant in the Middle East, with strong regional and international players dominating key markets. Horizon aims to establish itself as a trusted brand and achieve an annual revenue target of $5m within three years

Table 1: Key market report findings

Market

Competition level

Customer preferences

UAE

High

Premium designs, durability, family-orientated travel

Saudi Arabia

Moderate

Neutral colours, affordable pricing, utility focus

Qatar

Moderate to high

Brand reputation, climate adaptability

Table 2: Product development costs

Stage

Cost ($)

R&D

247,320

Prototype testing

74,850

Marketing adjustments

102,480

Total

424,650

Table 3: Statement of comprehensive income for Horizon Travel Gear (2024)

$

Revenue

4,375,200

Cost of sales

2,890,450

Gross profit

1,484,750

Operating expenses

812,370

Operating profit

672,380

Finance costs

75,630

Profit before tax

596,750

Tax expense (20%)

119,350

Net profit

477,400

Discuss the importance of aligning Horizon’s promotional campaigns with cultural values in the Middle East.

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1
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17 marks

Resources 1–5 and Tables 1–2 are required to answer this question.

Using the resources provided, recommend a course of action for GlideTech Industries to increase its global market share over the next five years. Justify your recommendation.

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