Challenges Faced by Companies in International Business: Mercedes-Benz

This report investigates the challenges faced by companies, specifically Mercedes-Benz, when operating internationally. It begins with an overview of the importance of globalization in today's market and the benefits it offers, such as market expansion and increased competition, while also acknowledging the associated threats like political instability and cultural differences. The research aims to identify the issues in international business, focusing on Mercedes-Benz as a case study, and includes objectives to study the importance of international operations, determine the specific challenges faced by Mercedes-Benz, and examine potential solutions. The methodology section outlines the research philosophy, approach, and design, including the use of interpretivism and an inductive approach, with a qualitative research choice. The report also details the sampling methods, data collection sources (primarily secondary data), and considerations for research reliability and validity. The data analysis section describes the use of a thematic approach for analyzing the data, while the final section addresses ethical considerations, referencing, and presentation of the research. This comprehensive analysis provides a detailed understanding of the complexities and strategies involved in international business operations, offering valuable insights into the real-world challenges faced by a major automotive company.

Research methodologies
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Contents
TITLE..............................................................................................................................................3
CHAPTER 1 - INTRODUCTION..................................................................................................3
Overview & background of research......................................................................................3
Rationale.................................................................................................................................4
Research Aim.........................................................................................................................4
Research Objective.................................................................................................................4
Research Questions................................................................................................................5
CHAPTER 2 – RESEARCH METHODOLOGY...........................................................................5
CHAPTER 3 – DATA ANALYSIS................................................................................................7
CHAPTER 4 – ETHICS, VALUES, REFERNCING AND PRESENTATION.............................8
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................9
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Table of Contents
TITLE
“To investigate issues faced by companies while operating internationally” : A study on
Mercedes-Benz
CHAPTER 1 - INTRODUCTION
Overview & background of research
In the era of today's industry, the idea of expanding the market division in different
geographical boundaries becomes one of the core demand in majority of the organisation. This is
because, it provide company various growth opportunities, enhance competition degree, render
advanced or latest technologies, explore profit margin rate, improve overall business
performance and so on. However, it has been identified that the concept of globalisation plays a
vital role as it benefit organisation to obtain the facility of trading the functional unit at
international level with no trade barriers (Flick, 2015) (Gioia, Corley and Hamilton, 2013). In
addition to this, it also empower enterprise to place its brand in an aggressive and competent
position without any obstacles as well as can enrich the brand reputation in an efficacious
manner. On the contrary, the term international business impose enormous advantages over
establishment image among competitors but at the same it render several threat or difficulties
which may reduce the firm's overall proficiency ratio. Hence, proper identification of market
competition or trends and implementation of best strategic decision enable organisation to gain
competitive advantage in an innovative style.
In regard of this research report, Mercedes Benz has been considered which is one of the
branded and leading auto mobile manufacturing company in German industry. It is founded in
the year of 1926 and offer wide range of products and services across the globe such as luxury
vehicles, cars, vans, trucks, buses, coaches and ambulances. However, the aspect of international
trade benefited Mercedes Benz in may ways like enable them to enrich greater level of
competition, helps in grabbing the opportunities, application of innovative technologies and etc.
With the help of such benefits, establishment becomes one of the competitive player inside
automotive industry. On the other hand, they came across with several threat while operating
their functional unit at global level like political stability, cultural differences, linguistic barriers,
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recruitment of workforce and many more. Hence, with the optimal utilisation of available
resources motive Mercedes Benz to accomplish its pre determined goal in an efficient manner as
well as can acquire competent position among rivalries.
Rationale
The main reason behind selecting this topic for current research report is that in order to
deal with present day of marketplace competition every organisation are in need of acquiring the
aspect of globalisation. This is because, it enable them to enlarge their market division in
different geographical region without any trade barriers. Along with this, it also help
organisation to access to innovate technologies, accomplish enormous opportunities, increase
the level of competition and many more (Green, Camilli and Elmore, eds., 2012). Although, the
concept of trading the business at international pace drive establishment to achieve impressive
level of growth and success. But, it also impose various challenges within company during
managing the functions at globally. Due to which, it directly impact over firm's overall
potentiality to survive within industry for longer time duration. However, with the help of
conducting such study it assist researcher to understand the accurate influence of doing business
activities internationally. Additionally, it help them to analyse different ways to tackle those
challenges in an amended way. Moreover, present study is also beneficial for students
perspective as it enable them to ascertain the exact situation of business environment as well the
effect of operating the enterprise globally by studying the real life example of Mercedes Benz.
Research Aim
To identify the issues faced by organisation during operating the business at global level.
A study on Mercedes- Benz
Research Objective
 To study the importance of maintaining the functional unit at international pace.
 To determine the issues faced by Mercedes- Benz while managing the business function
internationally.
 To examine the approaches that Mercedes Benz can imply to overcome the challenges of
international business.
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Research Questions
 What is the importance of maintaining the functional unit at international pace?
 What are the issues faced by Mercedes- Benz while managing the business function
internationally?
 What are the approaches that Mercedes Benz can imply to overcome the challenges of
international business?
CHAPTER 2 – RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Research methodology is a important aspect of the investigation as it represents set of
tools and techniques which are used in the investigation to collect the data, analyse and evaluate
the different data and are presented into proper manner so that appropriate results and outcomes
can be extracted from the such data. Some of the tools and techniques which are used in the
research methodology are as follows:
Research philosophy: Under this investigation, researcher follows two types of
philosophies such as interpretivism and as positivism in its research. Interpretivism method of
philosophy is used to interpret and analyse the given data which are related to the human view
and perception and the ideas in the important content. In the positivism philosophy, is used in
the case of statistical investigation to calculate the mean for the given data (Kumar, 2019). In
order to have a better and accurate results, the interpretivism is use in the research as it helps in
evaluating and presenting the data in the most appropriates ways in the investigation.
Research approach: while conducting the research in the market,their are two types of
approaches such as inductive and the deductive. Under the inductive approaches, the required
information is collected after having good study of the required data and are presented in the
proper manner. On the other side, deductive approach follow the scientific approach in collecting
the statistical data as well presented them in the effective manner. Under this study, inductive
approach will be taken into consideration for having detailed investigation and uses most suitable
qualitative type of the investigation (Mackenzie, Tan, Hoverman and Baldwin, 2012).
Research choice: while conducting the research, the choice of the type of
research plays an important role in the investigation. Their are two types of research such as
qualitative and quantitative approaches. Under the qualitative method, the data is collected by
taking into consideration various different theories and concepts so that every things can be
clearly understood in the investigation. While under the quantitative approach, information is
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collected from the facts and figure present in the marketplace, which can be presented in the
proper manner. While conducting the this investigation, researcher will use qualitative mode so
that various theories and the concepts are used in the investigation.
Sampling or size: The research sampling is a process of choosing the some set of people
from the whole population for gathering the useful information. These chosen people have a
good knowledge about the area of the study of the investigation so that results are more reliable
and valid in the investigation. There are different types of ways to collect the sample size such as
probabilistic and non-probabilistic (Mackey and Gass, 2015). While under the probability
method, respondents are selected without having any bias behaviours so that every members
have a chance to be selected in the investigation. On the other hand, non-probabilistic approach,
random set of people are chosen from the population. Here researcher can use the sampling
method while performing,probabilistic approach in the investigation for helping in gathering
real information.
Sources of data collection: It is a medium thought which information can be gathered in
the investigation. A good research uses mainly two types of source of data one is primary and
other is secondary. Under this primary data, information is collected for the first in the market
and are totally new for the study. This type of the information is gathered from the sources like
interview,survey, questionnaire etc. secondary data are collected from the sources where
similarly survey have been conducted in the marketplace. These information is second hand
information for the researchers. For this report, secondary data is used in the literature review
ways and are presented in the authors point of view (McCusker and Gunaydin, 2015). Secondary
data has been given more importance in this study as their have been evaluated from the great
publishers and leader who have shared their point of view on the similar topics. These primary
and secondary methods helps in achieving right set of information for the researcher and have a
valid facts and figure in the reports. Such information can be used in the other projects if they
holds good and accurate information in its reports.
Research design: It is a set of process which are followed by the researcher to conduct
the given investigation in the effective manners so that goals and objectives can be achieved in
the study. It basically provide a plan which are to be followed in the investigation to organise,
collect and analyse the information. Their are three types of research design such as
experimental,exploratory and the descriptive ways. From the three design, experimental design
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is a one who follows the scientific method and remains in the control of its environment. At the
exploratory study, a part of the whole research is being explore to improve the final research
design. While under the descriptive research design, the focus is on the performances of
person,situation or the events. For this investigation, the descriptive research method is best
suitable for the project. Here details information is analysed over the people and the some sort of
situation, if the design of the investigation is properly stated then it become easy for the
researcher to conduct such investigation in the proper forms and design in the reports (Miller and
et. al 2012).
Reliability and validity of research: The good research is one who have a most reliable
and valid information presented by the investigators. In the context of the reliability of
investigation , is one where information used by the researcher can be further use in the other
projects and are true in its facts and figure. The other aspect of investigation, is that the
information is true in all areas and are use full for researcher in all part of the investigation. All
the information which are collected for such investigation are reliable and are valid for projects
and for the further investigation in the marketplace (Quinlan and et.al ., 2019). Under this report,
information which are collected are form the authenticated sources that ensure the validity of the
reports. Further it is considered that information which are collected from the secondary sources
are gathered from the good publication sources and have more recent information in the market
about the projects. Additionally, it is make sure that information is not mislead in the given
projects and reports. Hence all the care is taken into consideration so that right information is
used in the projects and in the any kind of investigation.
CHAPTER 3 – DATA ANALYSIS
The aspect of data analysis is define to the technique of gathering the data from different
sources and interpret the same with the utilisation of proper technique. However, there are
various approaches for analysing and interpreting the data into presentable manner. Hence, in
context of this research report, researcher make use of thematic approach which is a part of
qualitative method (Riedl, Davis and Hevner, 2014). With the application this approach, it enable
investigator to acquire deeper understanding of specified topic and also to develop valid or
accurate report in a better way. Furthermore, this analysis include presentation of statement
that assist targeted reader to gain relevant and accurate information about particular topic that
improves the quality of report in an amended way.
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CHAPTER 4 – ETHICS, VALUES, REFERNCING AND PRESENTATION
The present research report is wholly focussing over acquiring the information from all
valid and relevant sources so that they can avoid the possibility of arising bias or misconception
of ideas. Due to which it empower investigator to make the report authentic and valid within
prescribed time limit. Additionally, by maintaining research ethics, it motive researcher to obtain
appropriate information or views about the topic that enhance the overall performance in report
in an improved mode. Along with this, it also enable investigator to provide suitable
recommendation and conclusion for targeted audience in order to maintain the performance of
research in a better manner (Falola, Osibanjo and Ojo, 2014).
On the contrary, referencing is a method which enable investigator to show the
authenticity as well as accuracy of of report by gathering relevant content from authorised
sources. Moreover, in relation to this report, researcher included all reliable reference which lead
them to maintain the effective relationship between research objective or aim in an improved
way. Due to which, it encourage reader to explore the knowledge in an effective manner without
nay confusion or misconception.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Flick, U., 2015. Introducing research methodology: A beginner's guide to doing a research
project. Sage.
Gioia, D. A., Corley, K. G. and Hamilton, A. L., 2013. Seeking qualitative rigor in inductive
research: Notes on the Gioia methodology. Organizational research methods. 16(1).
pp.15-31.
Green, J. L., Camilli, G. and Elmore, P. B. eds., 2012. Handbook of complementary methods in
education research. Routledge.
Kumar, R., 2019. Research methodology: A step-by-step guide for beginners. Sage Publications
Limited.
Mackenzie, J., Tan, P. L., Hoverman, S. and Baldwin, C., 2012. The value and limitations of
participatory action research methodology. Journal of hydrology. 474. pp.11-21.
Mackey, A. and Gass, S. M., 2015. Second language research: Methodology and design.
Routledge.
McCusker, K. and Gunaydin, S., 2015. Research using qualitative, quantitative or mixed
methods and choice based on the research. Perfusion. 30(7). pp.537-542.
Online
Maggetto. G. 2007. [Online]. Available through:
<https://www.daimler.com/company/business-units/mercedes-benz-cars/>
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