Volvo International Case Study introduction章節

沃爾沃的國際案例研究 introduction部分節選
 

1.引言
 

全球現代商業是全球經濟平衡性條件之一，據估計，2014年全球人口總數在超過192個獨立國家和55個獨立州中已達到63億（美國國務院，2005）。全球化徹底永遠地改變了商業世界。在2004年，世界國內生產總值達到51.48萬億美元，世界貿易總額超過12.9萬億美元（世界概況，2004）。自第二次世界大戰結束后，國際商業化世界逐漸地發展成一個大的，多元化的全球經濟。為了在高競爭力的國際商業中生存和成功，一個公司必須知道全球化對商業領域的真正的影響并對企業運營的各個方面要敏感靈活地準備應對。
 

根據霍杰茨和路撒所說，一個多元化的公司是在多個國家有業務，國際銷售，以及有管理者和所有者的多重國籍身份的公司（2003）。當涉及跨國公司和國際企業管理領域時，必須要考慮到四個主要的領域。
 

Volvo International Case Study
 

I. INTRODUCTION 

 

The modern business world is one of global proportions. Estimated world population in 2004 totaled over 6.3 billion people in over 192 independent countries and 55 dependent states (U.S. Department of State, 2005). Globalization has changed the world of business forever. In 2004, world GDP equaled $51.48 trillion with world trade amounting to over $12.9 trillion ("The World Factbook," 2004). Since the end of World War II, the international business world has gradually developed into one large multicultural and global economy. In order to survive and be successful in the highly competitive world of international business, a company must understand the true impacts of globalization upon the field of business and be prepared to implement flexibility and cultural sensitivity into all areas of business operations. 
 

According to Hodgetts and Luthans, a multinational corporation (MNC) is "a firm that has operations in more than one country, international sales, and a nationality mix of managers and owners (2003)." When dealing with multinational corporations and the field of international business management there are four primary areas that must be taken into consideration; they are the following: country environment, culture, organizational strategy, and organizational behavior (Hodgetts, 2003). All companies seeking to establish operations on a global or multinational level must be aware of these four areas and be prepared to make allowances and adapt to the incessant and constantly changing demands of the international business world (Hodgetts, 2003). 

 

Purpose of Study: 
 

The purpose of this study is to examine the international operations of the multinational corporation Volvo. This study will focus primarily upon the following categories of Volvo's international operations: trucks, busses and coaches, and construction equipment. It is the objective of this study to examine the international operations of Volvo in the above-mentioned areas within the countries of Sweden, South Korea, and China. Based upon its findings this report will examine two major issues concerning Volvo's operations in these countries. The overall purposes of this study are four-fold in nature as follows: #p#分頁標題#e#

1. To provide an organizational overview of Volvo including such areas as the following: historical background, corporate values, company mission statement, organizational hierarchy, organizational structure, global involvement, and products and services offered. 

2. To conduct an external analysis, internal analysis, and SWOT analysis of Volvo operations in the three countries of Sweden, South Korea, and China. The objectives of this portion of the research are to examine the external environments of each of these countries, report upon Volvo's operations within these countries, and examine in depth the role that Volvo plays in these different nations. 
 

External Analysis: The external analysis will cover the following areas within each of the three countries of Sweden, South Korea, and China: country environment and culture (including language, religion, population, and geography), economy, supply and demand, competitive conditions, technology, and Volvo's business involvement within each country. 
 

Internal Analysis: The internal analysis will focus upon such areas as the organizational objectives, organizational functions, and managerial functions of Volvo operations within each of the three countries. It will include detailed coverage of Volvo's marketing strategies, production methods, financial practices, and human resource management methods as well as their organizational strategies for planning, organizing, directing, and controlling within the cultural context of Sweden, South Korea, and China. 
 

SWOT Analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats): The SWOT analysis will combine both external and internal analysis to determine Volvo's overall business position within each of the three countries of Sweden, South Korea, and China. All significant external and internal areas will be covered and categorized as either a strength, weakness, opportunity, or threat, and a final conclusion will be drawn regarding Volvo's corporate position within each country. 
 

3. To identify and examine the following two major issues facing Volvo in their international operations within the countries of Sweden, South Korea, and China. 

? Issue I: The unpredictable nature of the Chinese market and the potential effects this unstable climate might have upon Volvo international operations in that region of the world. 

? Issue 2: The declining status of the global environment/climate and the potential effects these conditions might have upon Volvo international operations. 

4. To propose recommendations for Volvo to follow in resolving the two major issues dealt with in section three. Recommendations for resolution of the two major issues will include both short and long term objectives as well as implementation strategies and necessary support for proposed recommendations. #p#分頁標題#e#

 

Scope of Study: 
 

This report is designed to be an aid to Volvo in conducting business operations within Sweden, South Korea, and China. The scope of this report will be limited to Volvo operations within these three countries. It will examine each of these three countries in detail and report upon Volvo's current status within each country. This report is intended to divulge the subsequent strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats prevalent within Volvo international operations. It is the objective of this study to disclose two problematic areas within the Volvo organization and recommend possible solutions and implementation strategies for rectifying these problems or issues. 

 

Methods and Sources of Data: 
 

The primary methods of research for this study have been various academic texts, printed academic journals, secondary electronic sources, and corporate websites. Due to geographic limitations and international boundaries little experimental research was conducted for this study. 
 

Financial data reported within this study is based primarily upon company publications. Specifically, this involved analytical examination of annual reports to obtain detailed explanation of Volvo's financial operations by geographic regions or product segments. All financial data used in this study is available at Volvo's company website under the corporate and investor sections. 
 

Economical and Political information concerning the countries examined in this paper were largely collected from governmental sources. The U.S. Department of State and various CIA publications were the most frequently used sources of information for external portion of the report. 
 

Information concerning Volvo operations within Sweden, South Korea, and China was obtained from various sources, including national periodicals, newspapers, magazines, and academic journals. These non-corporate sources provided independent information concerning Volvo global operations, especially in regards to the areas of culture, politics, and economics. This external information allowed for increased objectivity in the examination of Volvo corporate international policies, practices, and operations. 
 

Limitations of the Study:  
 

This study, like many studies in the field of international business has several limitations to its content and framework. One of the most significant limitations is the lack of first hand knowledge concerning Volvo's international business practices in the three countries being examined. Although there is significant external information available to make educated deductions concerning operations in these different regions of the world, there is no substitute for actual experience or observation of the operations being undertaken by Volvo in these countries. Significant limitations exist in regards to determining and understanding the various cultures of the countries being examined in this study. Time limitations also play a significant role in the depth, accuracy, and objectivity of this report. Limited sources, time limitations, and the lack of first hand experience might have potentially negative effects upon the accuracy of recommendations made to Volvo in this study.