11/19/2008 - Total Answers: 216
What do you think is the greatest deterrent for an entrepreneur seeking to enter the international market?
57.4 % Lack of cultural knowledge and language barriers
29.6 % Compliance with foreign regulations
10.6 % Logistical barriers
2.3 % Currency exchange
10/21/2008 - Total Answers: 436
Which of the following has been the most important result of the weakened U.S. Dollar?
38.5 % A cut in real spending power of American consumers.
31.2 % Inflation and the cost of imports increasing.
30.3 % American and international investors investing in non-American markets.
9/22/2008 - Total Answers: 264
In which direction should Namibia focus further industrial development in light of depleted on-shore diamond reserves?
25.4 % Continue to allow mining in off-shore reserves.
34.8 % Shift mining towards untapped copper, coal, and uranium reserves.
39.8 % Encourage further investment in the growing tourism industry.
5/12/2008 - Total Answers: 660
Which of the following is the most important step currently being taken by Saudi Arabia to ensure the kingdom's long-term growth and economic diversity?
38.9 % Attracting foreign direct investment.
32.9 % Construction and expansion of infrastructure.
28.2 % Construction of economic cities and other large scale developments.
4/15/2008 - Total Answers: 403
Will Hungary be able to adopt the euro within the next five years?
38.5 % Yes, continued action to reduce the fiscal deficit and curb inflation will create the stability needed to introduce the euro.
30.8 % No, the economic strain of current reductions in government spending cannot be maintained in the short term.
30.8 % Possibly, but it depends on the outcome of the 2010 elections.
3/18/2008 - Total Answers: 442
Which of the following issues is most important in assuring that the Philippines achieves similar levels of economic growth as its neighboring Asian countries?
27.8 % Improving the fiscal situation by reducing deficits and balancing the budget.
33.5 % Strengthening infrastructure in order to attract both foreign and local investors.
38.7 % Controlling government corruption and political instability.
2/20/2008 - Total Answers: 442
Will Israel’s Tel Aviv Stock Exchange be able to escape future financial difficulties of other world markets?
34.8 % Yes, because innovations such as Dual Listing (allowing companies to be traded in the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange and another foreign market) allow Israel to benefit from foreign exchange while still focusing on the home economy.
29 % Yes, because such factors as low unemployment, high production rates, and increased tax collections all continue to keep the economy strong.
36.2 % No, because the economy of Israel has too many resources invested abroad to avoid suffering the same fate.
1/16/2008 - Total Answers: 822
Should legislation be passed implementing the U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement?
34.4 % Yes, the Colombian market provides U.S. businesses with a great opportunity.
17.6 % No, the Colombian government must first pass legal and business reforms.
16.5 % No, the domestic environment is too unstable; conditions could change to the detriment of U.S. businesses.
15.1 % No, the infrastructure still can’t handle a flood of U.S. business.
16.3 % Yes, the agreement would help stabilize the Colombian economy.
12/5/2007 - Total Answers: 696
Will the strength and stability of the Ugandan economy propel Africa into a
new era of economic competitiveness?
43.5 % Yes, Africa is poised for strong economic growth.
32.5 % Yes, but Africa's fragmented political climate will hinder its economic growth.
23.9 % No.
11/15/2007 - Total Answers: 219
Will the rise in crude oil prices lead to higher fuel economy standards worldwide?
77.2 % Yes, consumers will respond to higher prices with greater demand for fuel efficient vehicles.
5 % No, change in consumer demand will not be significant enough to affect fuel economy.
17.8 % Possibly, but it depends on the length of the price increase.
10/16/2007 - Total Answers: 430
Indonesia recently cut off all sand exports to Singapore after a rift between the nations, one of many that frequently occur between ASEAN countries. Will Singapore and its neighbors be able to reach their goal of a single market by 2015?
66.3 % Yes
33.7 % No
9/20/2007 - Total Answers: 188
Will full implementation of the Central America - Dominican Republic Free
Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR) create a win-win situation between the U.S. and
other member countries?
62.8 % Yes, lowered trade barriers will benefit both exporters and importers
37.2 % No, protectionist issues such as government subsidies will continue to hinder the agreement
7/5/2007 - Total Answers: 331
What impact will a potential tri-nation gas pipeline, with India and Iran, have on Pakistan?
36.3 % A deal with Iran could jeopardize Pakistani international relations, and subsequently, international aid.
43.8 % An agreement could signal a softening of India-Pakistan relations, leading to future cooperation between both countries.
19.9 % The pipeline will encourage greater exploitation of natural gas reserves in Pakistan.
6/6/2007 - Total Answers: 178
If Malta adopts the euro on January 1, 2008, which economic indicator will see the greatest impact?
36.5 % Inflation rates
15.7 % Trade deficit
11.2 % Long term interest rates
36.5 % Consumer confidence
5/10/2007 - Total Answers: 177
China and South Korea are discussing a bilateral trade agreement. What do you think would be the effect of this potential pact?
36.7 % As China is South Korea’s biggest export market, a deal would benefit South Korea significantly.
15.3 % This trade agreement will benefit South Korea more than one with the U.S.
13.6 % The trade agreement would create tension between the U.S. and China.
34.5 % China’s global economic influence will rise dramatically.
4/16/2007 - Total Answers: 136
How do you think Panama's 5.25 billion dollar canal expansion project will
affect Panama's economy?
6.6 % The government money would be better spent elsewhere.
25 % It will help curb unemployment.
39.7 % After completion, Panama's GDP will hit record numbers.
0.7 % Too much ship traffic will be lost due to construction.
27.9 % Panama will become too dependent on canal revenues.
3/21/2007 - Total Answers: 211
Bulgaria was admitted to the European Union (EU) in January 2007. How will EU membership most enhance Bulgaria's economy?
50.2 % Access to EU funds and resources
14.2 % Open migration/movement of people
22.3 % Motivation for growth and overcoming communism
8.5 % Reduce poverty levels
4.7 % EU membership will not enhance Bulgaria's economy
2/15/2007 - Total Answers: 180
Kenyan authorities have ordered all bars and night clubs in Nyeri to close at 11:00 pm in order to curb rising criminality. How do you interpret this situation?
26.1 % Rampant crime has been and still remains an obstacle to doing business in Kenya.
40.6 % The Kenyan government is taking control and making serious strides in lowering the crime rate.
33.3 % The policy will only anger citizens and businesses will stay open illegally.
1/24/2007 - Total Answers: 309
What do you believe may be the cause of Russia's decision to cutoff European oil supplies?
18.4 % President Putin's consolidation of control on energy production.
12.6 % Retaliation to Belarus' new transit tax
11 % To increase oil prices
57.9 % To gain increased influence over the European Union
12/8/2006 - Total Answers: 251
What could have been a possible cause of the exceptional Irish economic turnaround which was accomplished in only one generation?
30.7 % EU Development Funds
16.3 % Demographic Shift in the 1980s
24.3 % Quality Education System
28.7 % Low Corporate Taxes
11/13/2006 - Total Answers: 306
Venezuela's government receives half of its revenues from oil. Is this viable for Venezuela's long-term economic growth?
9.8 % Yes
25.5 % Yes, but only for the next 5-10 years
36.6 % Yes, but only for the next 10-25 years
28.1 % No
10/19/2006 - Total Answers: 145
Will Egypt be able to meet its goal of exceeding 6% GDP growth in an effort to create a job for nearly every laborer entering the market? If so, how long will it take?
29 % No
17.9 % Yes, it could meet that goal within the next 5 years
53.1 % Yes, but not for at least another 5 years
9/20/2006 - Total Answers: 513
When will India exceed China's impressive economic success?
28.1 % In 5 years
33.3 % In 25 years
38.6 % Never
8/2/2006 - Total Answers: 449
Would a potential General Motors (GM) merger with Nissan and Renault be beneficial to all three companies?
51.9 % Yes
48.1 % No
6/26/2006 - Total Answers: 314
Will the 2006 FIFA World Cup Tournament bring a net-economic benefit to Germany?
90.4 % Yes
9.6 % No
5/16/2006 - Total Answers: 206
With a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) in the making between Peru and the United States, what impact will the FTA have?
65 % Positive
21.8 % Negative
13.1 % No effect
4/20/2006 - Total Answers: 158
What effect will France's resurfaced feelings of "economic patriotism" have on the European Union's goal of being the most competitive economy in the world by 2010?
67.1 % Negative Effect
20.9 % Positive Effect
12 % No Effect
3/22/2006 - Total Answers: 262
The UAE highlighted a general trend in world economics as it chose to shift 10% of its foreign reserves from U.S. Dollars to Euros. As countries begin to hold less foreign reserves in Dollars, will the U.S. economy be hurt?
76.7 % Yes
23.3 % No
2/21/2006 - Total Answers: 267
In 2004 Thailand and the United States began negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and expected it to be finished in June 2006. Do you think a FTA between Thailand and the United States would be beneficial for both countries?
72.7 % Yes
27.3 % No
1/25/2006 - Total Answers: 191
Ukraine's recent struggle for independence from Russian-controlled fuel supplies failed when Ukraine re-signed a five-year agreement that locks them into paying more for fuel than before. Does this agreement leave the Ukraine too dependent on Russia?
79.1 % Yes
20.9 % No
12/14/2005 - Total Answers: 412
With increasing competition from India and Eastern Europe, do you believe that China will be able to maintain its competitive advantage in the future?
69.7 % Yes
30.3 % No
11/11/2005 - Total Answers: 164
Hong Kong was ranked the top "emerging market" by MSU-CIBER's market potential index for the fourth year in a row. With China's unprecedented growth and Singapore's exceptional low business risk, would you expect Hong Kong to continue to be number one next year?
62.2 % Yes
37.8 % No
10/18/2005 - Total Answers: 101
Would you like to see a new section on "Web Globalization" on globalEDGE? This section will help web developers attract a wider global audience. Issues that will be addressed include cultural, linguistic, and technical challenges.
85.1 % Yes
3 % No
11.9 % Don't Care
10/6/2005 - Total Answers: 112
Most industrialized nations now offer "high-speed" Internet to average users. However, there is still a marked difference in terms of speed between different countries. Are countries with faster Internet connections going to have a substantial advantage in global competitiveness?
89.3 % Yes
10.7 % No
9/13/2005 - Total Answers: 74
Recent estimates show that the Canadian oil supply is at 180 million barrels, second to only Saudi Arabia. As they begin to sell it what will happen to Canada's government?
14.9 % Federal-provincial governments will be expertly managed.
56.8 % The Western Provinces will become much more powerful.
5.4 % The Eastern Provinces will suffer from high energy costs.
23 % Political outrage over revenues will cause high investor risk.
5/23/2005 - Total Answers: 454
The United States is becoming increasingly worried about the mounting trade deficit with China, thus the United States Senate recently voted on a bill to impose a 27.5% duty on all Chinese imports unless the PRC revalues the Yuan within six months. Some warn that an increase in the value of the Yuan will send the world economy into a recession by halting the purchase of United States Treasury Bonds. What do you believe the outcome of this pending bill will be?
21.4 % China revaluates its currency causing excess Treasury Bonds in the market thus forcing the dollar to fall and the drop will be felt by other economies around the world.
23.1 % China revaluates its currency, in which other entities purchase the excess Treasury Bonds and little or no worldwide implications are seen.
25.8 % China does not revaluate its currency and the duty is imposed by the United States.
29.7 % China does not revaluate its currency and no action is taken by the United States.
2/9/2005 - Total Answers: 308
Should all countries be required to use a floating currency?
20.1 % Yes, it prevents countries from practicing abusive trading relationships.
37 % No, the financial stability offered by a pegged currency is often needed to stabilize regional/global financial crisis.
28.2 % Yes, floating currencies are indicative of the true value of a currency.
14.6 % No, floating currencies tend to be too risky when lending to developing countries.
10/13/2004 - Total Answers: 276
A UN proposal is considering increasing the number of members that compose the Security Council (composed by United States, Britain, France, Russia and China) with a layer of eight semi-permanent members that would serve for five-year terms, subject to renewal. However Brazil together with India, Germany and Japan hope to defeat the proposal by gaining enough support to become permanent members of the Security Council. Which alternative is better?
33 % The Semi permanent alternative because it will open the opportunity to empower more countries in the long term
31.9 % Increase the number of permanent members of the Security Council, and hold general elections to elect the new members
35.1 % Increase the number of permanent members of the Security Council, and select members of all continents in the council
6/30/2004 - Total Answers: 192
How do you think offshoring to lower cost overseas locations will impact the international business landscape in the long-term?
13.5 % Cost savings from offshoring will enable developing countries to invest more and focus on innovations, widening the gap between developed and lower cost countries.
30.7 % Foreign investment and increased demand in lower cost countries will cause wages to rise, eliminating cost advantages from offshoring and narrowing the gap between developed and low cost countries.
25.5 % With offshoring, innovations (especially in manufacturing and processes) will also move from developed countries to low cost countries, moving the world’s center of mass in international business toward China and India.
30.2 % Jobs lost in the developed countries because of offshoring will never come back. Re-educating the labor force will not solve the problem because a better education at a lower cost will be available in lower cost countries. In the long-term, developed countries will be subject to social explosion.
3/10/2004 - Total Answers: 972
Which of the following events/situations do you think will have the biggest effect on international business in the near future?
15.8 % The US Presidential election in November
28.4 % Continued threat of terrorism around the world
19 % The availability of petroleum from OPEC and other oil producing nations
8.8 % The new additions to the EU in May
27.9 % Continued growth of China as an economic power
12/1/2003 - Total Answers: 416
After a series of bombings in Istanbul within the last two weeks, some governments have suggested travelers to postpone non-essential travel to Turkey. However, Helena Smith of The Guardian, a British newspaper, argues that "officials underscored Turkey's determination to eradicate terrorism."2 How would these warnings affect your travel plans?
7.5 % I would cancel my travel plans to Istanbul only, not to other cities in Turkey.
28.1 % I would cancel my travel plans to Turkey.
38.5 % I would not cancel my travel plans to Turkey, but I would take several precautions during my travels.
16.6 % I am not concerned a bit.
9.4 % Not sure, I am continuing to monitor the situation.
11/14/2003 - Total Answers: 94
Many U.S. state governments are cutting the budgets for colleges and universities. If college/university funding is cut significantly (most reports suggest 5-20 percent):
47.9 % The number of people with international knowledge will decline significantly
26.6 % The number of people with international knowledge will decline but not significantly
25.5 % The number of people with international knowledge will not decline significantly
9/15/2003 - Total Answers: 358
The US H1B visa quota is set to fall on Oct. 1 from 195,000 to 65,000. Congress had temporarily raised the limit in 2000 under pressure from the tech industry, which was trying to staff up during the Internet boom. When this goes into effect:
17.9 % Unemployement rate will decrease because some of the jobs previously offered to foreign nationals will be given to the US citizens.
49.7 % Unemployment rate will increase because some companies will transfer their operations to the countries, such as China and India, to access skilled workers at a low cost.
19 % Unemployment rate will not affected by the new H1B quota.
13.4 % I don't know.
6/19/2003 - Total Answers: 416
A new trade pact will only allow countries to bar imports of genetically modified (GM) foods if exporting countries cannot demonstrate that they pose no risk to the environment. What is your personal opinion on consuming GM foods?
15.4 % I don't mind GM foods.
22.6 % I would still consume GM foods, but would prefer them to be labeled as such.
22.1 % I would somewhat prefer unmodified foods to GM foods.
39.9 % I would try to avoid GM foods at all cost.
3/17/2003 - Total Answers: 524
Several governments have issued travel advisories asking travelers to postpone non-essential travel to several Southeast Asian countries where an outbreak of a mysterious illness have caused deaths. Would these warnings cause you to change your travel plans?
57.1 % Yes, I would cancel all travel plans to the region
25.4 % No, but I would take several precautions during my travels
5.3 % No, I'm not concerned a bit
12.2 % Not sure, I'm continuing to monitor the situation
3/8/2003 - Total Answers: 192
Do you think the U.S. should go to war against Iraq?
28.6 % Yes - even if United Nations does not approve
14.1 % Yes - but only with approval from United Nations
15.1 % No - not right now but perhaps later if things change for the worse
42.2 % No - war is not the solution to the conflict with Iraq
2/20/2003 - Total Answers: 466
Which of the following most populous nations will be the most important market by 2010 (footnote: USA is the 3rd and Japan is the 10th largest countries in the world)?
1.1 % Bangladesh
5.4 % Brazil
56.7 % China
17.4 % India
1.9 % Indonesia
6.2 % Mexico
2.6 % Nigeria
1.9 % Pakistan
1.9 % Philippines
4.9 % Russia
- Total Answers: 698
When do you think the stocks of multinational corporations will start increase in value again consistently?
20.5 % Within the next year
40 % Within 1-2 years
24.4 % Within 3-4 years
15.2 % It will take longer than 4 years
- Total Answers: 156
What is your performance rating of the President of the USA, George W. Bush, in world business affairs?
25.6 % Better than I expected
27.6 % About what I expected
46.8 % Worse than I expected
- Total Answers: 234
If Congress and President Bush decide to attack Iraq for the purpose of removing Saddam Hussein from power, global business conditions for U.S. multinationals will:
17.1 % Improve
70.9 % Get Worse
12 % Will not Change
- Total Answers: 96
At the recently ended G8 annual Summit in Kananaskis, Canada, the G8 group
offered $20bn to secure nuclear stockpiles in the former Soviet Union and
$6bn as development aid to Africa and an extra $1bn for debt relief. The
proponents of Africa's New Partnership for Africa's Development (Nepad) had
requested for $64bn for the development plan. Do you see this an indication
that the rich nations are not interested in supporting the development of the
poor nations? more on this Summit
49 % Yes
51 % No
- Total Answers: 328
Do you think the US decision to impose tariffs on steel imports is against
fair international trade rules?
78.7 % Yes
21.3 % No
- Total Answers: 474
Do you think that, overall, switching to the EURO currency will benefit participating
countries?
34 % I strongly agree
40.9 % I agree
13.1 % I am not sure
6.3 % I disagree
5.5 % I strongly disagree
- Total Answers: 69
Which section of globalEDGE do you find most useful?
10.1 % home
63.8 % resource desk
5.8 % community
15.9 % knowledge room
4.3 % diagnostic tools
- Total Answers: 208
How would you rate this site?
63 % Very Good
21.6 % Good
7.7 % Neutral
2.4 % Poor
5.3 % Very Poor
