Evaluation of Joint Ventures as a Mode of Entry into the Chinese Market

Seminar paper from the year 2015 in the subject Business economics - Business Management, Corporate Governance, grade: 2,3, University of Applied Sciences Essen, language: English, abstract: This term paper will first of all give an overview of existing foreign market entry modes. Secondly there will be a description of joint ventures in general by analyzing typical motives and risks for using a specific mode of entry to internationalize. At the end of the second part, the situation on the Chinese market is discussed to introduce the reader to the concrete business case of Volkswagen and SAIC Motors, which will be discussed in the third part. Finally, this paper will provide an evaluation of the success of this joint venture on the Chinese market.§§Globalization, in recent times, has generated a lot of interest in the business world. More companies are now seeking to escape their comfort zones (home markets) and enter into international markets to expand their businesses. Internationalization has seen several factors as its driving force. More countries have opened their markets to foreign entrants through liberalization and deregulation of previous trade-inhibiting laws. Consumers, in most parts of the world, have also exhibited a homogenous behavior that encourages internationalization. Products that sell well in one part of the world have shown the likelihood to perform the same in other areas, which has motivated more companies to explore international markets.§§Other external driving factors are an improvement in technology and logistics. It is now possible for companies to communicate and track the activities of each of its subsidiaries or branches in the world. Technology has offered a business with an appropriate infrastructure that ensures smooth running of their affairs worldwide. Some products also exhibit shorter life cycles; thus, limiting the amount a company can produce. Internationalization offers such company's ability to produce more by expanding their reach beyond local/home markets. Expansion into international markets by a company is motivated by several factors. One of the major factors is to spur growth and increase profitability.§§Many companies are seeking to enter into foreign markets to expand their influence and increase their sales and revenue. Internationalization for such companies means an access to a wider customer base, which implies more product sales and more revenues. Expanding the size and scope helps achieve the economies of scale.