1. The Political and Legal Environments Facing Business
3-1

2. Political System
Political system includes the structures, processes, and activities by which a nation governs itself.
Political systems can be assessed according to two dimensions
Degree to which they emphasize collectivism as opposed to individualism
Degree to which they are democratic or totalitarian

3. Political Participation
Who participates in them
And
What extend they participate
Wide participation occurs when people capable of influencing the political system make an effort to do so
Narrow participation occurs when few people participate

4. Political Ideologies Totalitarianism Anarchism Pluralism
Both private and public
groups need to balance
each other’s power
Every aspect of
people’s lives must be
controlled to preserve order
- No individual liberties
Only individuals and
private groups can
preserve personal liberties
Totalitarianism
Anarchism
Pluralism

5. Political Ideologies Most modern societies are pluralistic politically
Arise due to differences in languages, ethnic background, tribal groups or religions

6. The Political Spectrum
Totalitarianism
Democracy
Authoritarian
Conservative
Fascist
Democratic
Government
Nondemocratic
Government
Liberal
Communist

7. Indicators of Political Rights
Degree to which fair and competitive elections occur
Ability of voters to endow representatives with real power
Ability to organize political parties
Existence of safeguards on the rights of minorities
3-4

8. Indicators of Civil Liberties
Existence of freedom of the press
Equality under the law for all individuals
Extent of personal social freedoms
Degree of freedom from extreme governmental indifference or corruption
3-6

9. Comparative Measures of Freedom
POLITICAL RIGHTS
Not Free
Partly Free
Free
CIVIL LIBERTIES
3-7

11. Democracy Freedom of opinion, expression, press and organization
Elections
Limited terms for elected officials
Independent court system
High regard for individual rights
Respect for property
Nonpolitical bureaucracy and defense infrastructure
Accessibility to the decision-making process
3-8

12. Totalitarianism Typically theocratic or secular
Opposite end of the political spectrum from democracy
Order is often imposed through military power
Single party, group, or individual monopolizes political power
Lack of constitutional guarantees
Neither recognizes nor permits opposition
Fascism
Authoritarianism (tribal, right-wing)
Communism/ socialism
3-9

13. States in Transition
The political of the world has changed radically since the late 1980’s
A wave of democratic revolutions swept the world

14. The Spread of Democracy
Map 2.5 – Political Freedom, 2004, p. 69

15. Political Risks for International Business
Political Risk—caused by political instability
Promotes fear that operating position will deteriorate
Tends to be higher in totalitarian regimes
Sources of political risks
Unstable Political System
Political involvement of religious or military leader
Frequent changes in government
Corrupt or poor leadership
Civil disorder due to:
Economic conditions
Human rights violations
Conflict among races, religions & etnics
Group animosity
3-11

16. Types of political risk
Can cause:
Procurement difficulties
Work stoppages
Shipment delays
Property damage
Types of political risk
Micro—political actions are aimed at specific foreign investments
Eg; Pakistan, France
Macro—political actions affect a broad spectrum of foreign investors
Eg; Cuba

17. Types of Political Risk

18. Conflict and Violence Arises from: Reduces ability to:
People’s resentment
toward government
Territorial disputes
between nations
Ethnic, racial or
religious disputes
Obtain materials
and equipment
Manufacture and
distribute products
Protect employees’ lives
and firm’s assets

19. Terrorism and Kidnapping
Kidnapping and other terrorist activities are means of making political statements.
Kidnapping and the taking of hostages may be used to fund a terrorist group’s activities. Executives of large international companies are prime targets.

20. Terrorism and Kidnapping
Security checklist for managers on business abroad:
Fly non-stop when possible and avoid unsecured areas of airports
During your stay, vary your routines and means of transportation
Keep a low profile and refrain from loud, flashy behavior
Give friendly but cautious answers to personal questions
Know local emergency procedures before trouble strikes

21. Property Seizure 1 2 3 Confiscation
The forced transfer of assets from a company to the government without compensation
Expropriation
The forced transfer of assets from a company to the government with compensation
Nationalization
When expropriation involves one or a small number of companies in an industry, the government may take over an entire industry 1 2 3

22. Policy changes restrict:
Policies and Laws
Policy changes restrict:
Foreign ownership
Investment levels
Business activities

23. Local Content Requirements
Laws stipulating that a specified amount of a good or service be supplied by producers in the domestic market. These requirements can force companies to use locally available raw materials, procure parts from local suppliers, or employ a minimum number of local workers.

24. Managing Political Risk
Avoidance
Influencing Local Politics
Risks
Adaptation
Information Gathering

25. Managing Political Risk
Localization
Development assistance
Local equity / debt
Insurance
Partnerships
Adaptation
Incorporate risk into
business strategies

26. Managing Political Risk
Agencies specializing
in political-risk services
Current employees
with relevant information
Information gathering
Gather data to better
predict and manage risk

27. Managing Political Risk
Corruption
Foreign Corrupt Practices Act
Lobbying
Influencing local lawmakers
Influence local politics
Present firm’s views
on political matters

28. Legal Systems Rules - laws - that regulate behavior
Processes through which laws are enforced & grievances are redressed
Three main types of legal systems – in use around the world:
Common law
Civil law
Theocratic law
The legal system of a country is of immense importance to international business. A country’s laws regulate business practice, define the manner in which business transactions are to be executed, and set down the rights and obligations of those involved in business transactions. Like the economic system of a country, the legal system is influenced by the prevailing political system (although it is also strongly influenced by historical tradition). The government of a country defines the legal framework within which firms do business—and often the laws that regulate business reflect the rulers’ dominant political ideology.

29. Kinds of Legal Systems
Common law—based on tradition, precedent, custom, and usage
Interpretation by the courts
US and UK
Civil law—codified legal system
Based on a detailed set of laws that make up a code
Rules for business transaction included
Based on how the law is applied to the facts
Germany France, Japan
Theocratic law—based on religious precepts
e.g., Islamic law
has remained frozen
moral rather than commercial law
intended to govern all aspects of life
Sudan and Pakistan

30. Contract Law Contract law is the body of law that enforces a contract
Specifies conditions under which an exchange is to occur
Details rights and obligations of parties
Dispute resolution is often complex
Where to arbitrate and whose laws apply?
Validity of contracts and decisions
Role of United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods (CIGS)
Because common law tends to be relatively ill specified, contracts drafted under a common law framework tend to be very detailed with all contingencies spelled out. In civil law systems, however, contracts tend to be much shorter and less specific because many of the issues typically covered in a common law contract are already covered in a civil code. Thus, it is more expensive to draw up contracts in a common law jurisdiction, and resolving contract disputes can be a very adversarial process in common law systems. But, common law systems have the advantage of greater flexibility and allow for judges to interpret a contract dispute in light of the prevailing situation. International businesses need to be sensitive to these differences; approaching a contract dispute in a state with a civil law system as if it had a common law system may backfire (and vice versa).

31. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act
The act was passed during the 1970s following revelations that U.S. companies had bribed government officials in foreign countries in an attempt to win lucrative contracts
This law makes it illegal to bribe a foreign government official in order to obtain or maintain business
The act allows facilitating or expediting payments to secure the performance of a routine governmental action
Along the same lines, in 1997 trade and finance ministers from the member states of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), an association of the world’s 30 most powerful economies, adopted the Convention on Combating Bribery of Foreign Public Officials in International Business Transactions. The convention obliges member states to make the bribery of foreign public officials a criminal offense.

32. Corruption as of 2004
Corruption has been well documented in every society, from the banks of the Congo River to the palace of the Dutch royal family, from Japanese politicians to Brazilian bankers, and from Indonesian government officials to the New York City Police Department. According to Transparency International, an independent nonprofit organization dedicated to exposing and fighting corruption, world wide businesses and individuals spend some $400 billion a year on bribes related to government procurement contracts alone.

33. Intellectual Property Rights
Intellectual property refers to property that is the product of intellectual activity
Intellectual property laws are a very important stimulus to innovation and creative work
Protection of intellectual property rights differs greatly from country to country
Ownership rights over intellectual property are established through patents, copyrights, and trademarks. A patent grants the inventor of a new product or process exclusive rights for a defined period to the manufacture, use, or sale of that invention. Copyrights are the exclusive legal rights of authors, composers, playwrights, artists, and publishers to publish and disperse their work as they see fit. Trademarks are designs and names, often officially registered, by which merchants or manufacturers designate and differentiate their products

34. Piracy of Intellectual Property

35. Product Safety and Liability
Product safety laws set safety standards for products and manufacturing processes
Product liability laws hold the firm and its officers responsible for product safety standards
Criminal laws/ civil liability laws
Civil laws call for payment and monetary damages
Criminal liability laws result in fines or imprisonment

36. Other Legal Issues for International Businesses
Worker relations
Health and safety standards
Workweek
Employment practices
Antitrust prohibitions
Environmental practices
Patents, trademarks, and intellectual property protection
Taxes and reporting requirements
3-15

37. Political Strategies for International Businesses
Identify the exact issue
Trade barrier?
Environmental standards?
Workers rights, etc?
Define/determine the political aspect of the issue
Assess the potential political action of other companies
Identify important institutions and individuals
Formulate strategies
Key objectives
Alternatives
Probable effectiveness
3-13

38. Attractiveness
Benefits In the most general sense, the long-run monetary benefits of doing business in a country are a function of the size of the market, the present wealth (purchasing power) of consumers in that market, and the likely future wealth of consumers. International businesses need to be aware of this distinction, but they also need to keep in mind the likely future prospects of a country. In 1960 South Korea was viewed as just another impoverished Third World nation. By 2003 it was the world’s 11th largest economy, measured in terms of GDP. By identifying and investing early in a potential future economic star, international firms may build brand loyalty and gain experience in that country’s business practices. In contrast, late entrants may find that they lack the brand loyalty and experience necessary to achieve a significant presence in the market. In the language of business strategy, early entrants into potential future economic stars may be able to reap substantial first-mover advantages, while late entrants may fall victim to late-mover disadvantages. (First-mover advantages are the advantages that accrue to early entrants into a market. Late-mover disadvantages are the handicap that late entrants might suffer from.)
Costs A number of political, economic, and legal factors determine the costs of doing business in a country. With regard to political factors, the costs of doing business in a country can be increased by a need to pay off the politically powerful to be allowed by the government to do business. With regard to economic factors, one of the most important variables is the sophistication of a country’s economy. It may be more costly to do business in relatively primitive or undeveloped economies because of the lack of infrastructure and supporting businesses.As for legal factors, it can be more costly to do business in a country where local laws and regulations set strict standards with regard to product safety, safety in the workplace, environmental pollution, and the like (since adhering to such regulations is costly). Also, local laws that fail to adequately protect intellectual property can lead to the “theft” of an international business’s intellectual property, and lost income.
Risks As with costs, the risks of doing business in a country are determined by a number of political, economic, and legal factors. Political risk has been defined as the likelihood that political forces will cause drastic changes in a country’s business environment that adversely affect the profit and other goals of a business enterprise. Social unrest can result in abrupt changes in government and government policy or, in some cases, in protracted civil strife. On the economic front, economic risks arise from economic mismanagement by the government of a country. Economic risks can be defined as the likelihood that economic mismanagement will cause drastic changes in a country’s business environment that hurt the profit and other goals of a particular business enterprise. When legal safeguards are weak, firms are more likely to break contracts and/or steal intellectual property if they perceive it as being in their interests to do so. Thus, legal risks might be defined as the likelihood that a trading partner will opportunistically break a contract or expropriate property rights.
Overall Attractiveness The overall attractiveness of a country as a potential market and/or investment site for an international business depends on balancing the benefits, costs, and risks associated with doing business in that country.

39. Ethical Behavior
Personal behavior in accordance with rules or standards for right conduct or morality
Enron
Tyco
Worldcom
Parmalat (Italy)
Ethical absolutism
Import ethics
from home
Ethical relativism
When in Rome,
do as the Romans

40. Social Responsibility
Go beyond legal obligations to balance commitments to investors, customers, communities and other companies
Respect consumers’ rights
Guard workers’ rights
Protect the environment
Preserve employment
Encourage development
Improve health
Support education

41. International Relations
Favorable international
political relations foster:
Stable business environments
Improved business communications
Efficient distribution systems
Prompt and equitable dispute resolution
Expanded opportunities
Diminished risk levels