Know Your Internet International Business Resources Victoria A. Platt Willamette Management Associates San Francisco, California Portland, Oregon Chicago,

Know Your Internet International Business Resources

Victoria A. Platt

Willamette Management Associates

San Francisco, California Portland, Oregon Chicago, Illinois New York, New York McLean, Virginia Atlanta, Georgia


Outline

• Introduction• Methodology• Search Engines• Meta Pages• Subject Specific Sites• Search Strategies• Conclusion• Q&A

• Introduction• Methodology• Search Engines• Meta Pages• Subject Specific Sites• Search Strategies• Conclusion• Q&A



Introduction

International Internet Case Study

Telecommunications industry in 12 countries located in 6 different regions of the world

Questions to be Answered

1. Who can locate the information?2. What tools are available?3. Where is the best place to start?4. When is each tool most efficient?5. Why is finding this type of information difficult?

International Internet Case Study

Telecommunications industry in 12 countries located in 6 different regions of the world

Questions to be Answered

1. Who can locate the information?2. What tools are available?3. Where is the best place to start?4. When is each tool most efficient?5. Why is finding this type of information difficult?



Methodology

Country Selection Criteria

1. Must have at least a moderate level of economic and

political stability.

2. Maintain positive diplomatic relations with the United States.

3. Encourage foreign business development.

4. Have established telecommunications structure in place.

Country Selection Criteria

1. Must have at least a moderate level of economic and

political stability.

2. Maintain positive diplomatic relations with the United States.

3. Encourage foreign business development.

4. Have established telecommunications structure in place.



Methodology

Countries Chosen

Region Country

Africa Egypt, South Africa

America, Central & South Argentina, Brazil

Asia Japan, South Korea

Europe, Central & Eastern Poland, Slovakia

Europe, Western France, Spain

Middle East Israel, Saudi Arabia

Countries Chosen

Region Country

Africa Egypt, South Africa

America, Central & South Argentina, Brazil

Asia Japan, South Korea

Europe, Central & Eastern Poland, Slovakia

Europe, Western France, Spain

Middle East Israel, Saudi Arabia



Methodology

Information Required for Each Country Searched

Category Data Point1. Basic Country Data Profile, Gross Domestic Product2. Business Opportunities Summary, Doing Business In3. Demographics Employment, Population, Wages4. Fiscal Profile Capital Structure, Foreign

Investment, Banking, Taxes5. Economy Overview, Bonds-Corporate, Bonds-

Government, Exchange Rate6. Map of Country Copy7. Manufacturing Summary

Information Required for Each Country Searched

Category Data Point1. Basic Country Data Profile, Gross Domestic Product2. Business Opportunities Summary, Doing Business In3. Demographics Employment, Population, Wages4. Fiscal Profile Capital Structure, Foreign

Investment, Banking, Taxes5. Economy Overview, Bonds-Corporate, Bonds-

Government, Exchange Rate6. Map of Country Copy7. Manufacturing Summary



Methodology

Information Required for Each Country Searched (Cont.)

Category Data Point

8. Industries Overview, Outlook, Comparable Peers

9. News & Views Domestic, Economic, Corporate &

Equities, Regional

10. Politics News, Description of Structure

11. Stock Exchange Description, Historical Prices

12. Trading Profile Summary, Imports, Exports

13. Legal Profile Summary

Information Required for Each Country Searched (Cont.)

Category Data Point

8. Industries Overview, Outlook, Comparable Peers

9. News & Views Domestic, Economic, Corporate &

Equities, Regional

10. Politics News, Description of Structure

11. Stock Exchange Description, Historical Prices

12. Trading Profile Summary, Imports, Exports

13. Legal Profile Summary



Know Your Tools

What to Watch

Search Method

Software robots search the Internet using two primary methods, keyword, and

concept

Size

Total Size is relevant to insure that the query searches the greatest number of

sites

Integrity

The “monetizing” of search engines

What to Watch

Search Method

Software robots search the Internet using two primary methods, keyword, and

concept

Size

Total Size is relevant to insure that the query searches the greatest number of

sites

Integrity

The “monetizing” of search engines



Tool Selection

Search Engine Selection• Alta Vista• Google• Northern Light

Search Engine Selection• Alta Vista• Google• Northern Light



Search Engines

Search Web SizeEngine Address Search Method (Millions)

Alta Vista www.altavista.com Search Utilities 340

Google www.google.com Link Analysis 560

Northern Natural Language &

Light www.northernlight.com Search Utilities 319

Search Web SizeEngine Address Search Method (Millions)

Alta Vista www.altavista.com Search Utilities 340

Google www.google.com Link Analysis 560

Northern Natural Language &

Light www.northernlight.com Search Utilities 319



Search Strategies

Search Engines• Locate basic country profile• Identify and locate a chamber of commerce• Search for an embassy• Find a national bank site

Search Engines• Locate basic country profile• Identify and locate a chamber of commerce• Search for an embassy• Find a national bank site



Tool Selection

Meta Page Selection• IBRC• MSU-CIBER• VIBES• WebEc

Meta Page Selection• IBRC• MSU-CIBER• VIBES• WebEc



Meta Pages

IBRC

The International Business Resource Connection

Center for International Business Education and Research at the University of Kansas School of Business

http://www.ibrc.bschool.ukans.edu

MSU-CIBER

The Michigan State University Center for International Business Education and Research

Michigan State University

http://www.ciber.bus.mus.edu/busres.htm

IBRC

The International Business Resource Connection

Center for International Business Education and Research at the University of Kansas School of Business

http://www.ibrc.bschool.ukans.edu

MSU-CIBER

The Michigan State University Center for International Business Education and Research

Michigan State University

http://www.ciber.bus.mus.edu/busres.htm



Meta Pages

VIBES

Virtual International Business and Economic Sources

University of North Carolina at Charlotte

http://libweb.uncc.edu/ref-bus/vibehome.htm

WebEc

Manchester Computing, Finland

www.helsinki.fi/WebEc

VIBES

Virtual International Business and Economic Sources

University of North Carolina at Charlotte

http://libweb.uncc.edu/ref-bus/vibehome.htm

WebEc

Manchester Computing, Finland

www.helsinki.fi/WebEc



Search Strategies

Meta Pages• Narrow query by region, then country• Review the index one category at a time• Utilize an internal search engine

Meta Pages• Narrow query by region, then country• Review the index one category at a time• Utilize an internal search engine



Subject Specific Sites

The Top Ten List Not Listed in the Conference Proceedings

Name Site Description

American Chambers of www.uschamber.org/international 86 American Chambers in

Commerce Abroad /chambers+abroad 76 countries

Arab World Online http://www.awo.net News, articles, and business

information on 22 countries

Asia Pacific Economic http://www.apecsec.org.sg 21 countries with reports, indicators,

Cooperation contact list & related links

Bureau van Dijk http://www.bydep.com European industry & corporate data

The Top Ten List Not Listed in the Conference Proceedings


American Chambers of www.uschamber.org/international 86 American Chambers in

Commerce Abroad /chambers+abroad 76 countries

Arab World Online http://www.awo.net News, articles, and business

information on 22 countries

Asia Pacific Economic http://www.apecsec.org.sg 21 countries with reports, indicators,

Cooperation contact list & related links

Bureau van Dijk http://www.bydep.com European industry & corporate data




The Top Ten List Not Listed in the Conference Proceedings (cont.)


CAROL World Company Asia, Europe & U.S. annual reports

Annual Reports On-Line http://www.carol.co.uk searched by industry or alphabetical

CorporateInformation http://www.corporateinformation.com Search by industry, country,

or company name

The Embassy Web http://www.embpage.org/index.html Contains 50,000 address, phone

numbers & email addresses

EY Passport http://www.doingbusinessin.com Country profiles and corporate

tax guide



CAROL World Company Asia, Europe & U.S. annual reports

Annual Reports On-Line http://www.carol.co.uk searched by industry or alphabetical

CorporateInformation http://www.corporateinformation.com Search by industry, country,

or company name

The Embassy Web http://www.embpage.org/index.html Contains 50,000 address, phone

numbers & email addresses

EY Passport http://www.doingbusinessin.com Country profiles and corporate

tax guide






Global Financial Data http://www.ntu.edu.sg/ Asian financial contents as well as

& Resources Locators library/biz/financial/htm international scope

International Statistical Links to the statistical agencies

Agencies http://www.census.gov/main/www/stat_int.html for dozens of countries

Mark Bernkopf’s Regional and central

Banking Center http://patriot.net/~bernkopf bank websites



Global Financial Data http://www.ntu.edu.sg/ Asian financial contents as well as

& Resources Locators library/biz/financial/htm international scope

International Statistical Links to the statistical agencies

Agencies http://www.census.gov/main/www/stat_int.html for dozens of countries

Mark Bernkopf’s Regional and central

Banking Center http://patriot.net/~bernkopf bank websites



Search Strategies

Subject-Specific Sites• Review industry literature and identify sites on

point with region and country• Begin review by using site map• Follow with querying internal search engine to site• When unsuccessful, end with search of

International Trade Administration (www.ita.doc.gov)

Subject-Specific Sites• Review industry literature and identify sites on

point with region and country• Begin review by using site map• Follow with querying internal search engine to site• When unsuccessful, end with search of

International Trade Administration (www.ita.doc.gov)



Conclusions of the Case Study

• As a researcher, be patient, organized, and confident

• Establish parameters before beginning

• Identify restrictions

• Use more than one resource

• Don’t beat a dead horse

• Always look for a governing agency or association

• Use Internet sites in combination

• As a researcher, be patient, organized, and confident

• Establish parameters before beginning

• Identify restrictions

• Use more than one resource

• Don’t beat a dead horse

• Always look for a governing agency or association

• Use Internet sites in combination



Thank You

and

Good Day

Thank You

and

Good Day


Documents

Know Your Internet International Business Resources Victoria A. Platt Willamette Management Associates San Francisco, California Portland, Oregon Chicago,