The importance of external business environment examination before starting international e-retailing business

Dear Respondents,

My name is Ieva Strekaite and I am a postgraduate student of International Management at the University of Sunderland. I am currently writing my dissertation about the external business environment's impact on business and the importance of its evaluation before starting an international e-retailing business. I would kindly ask you to answer this survey questions from the viewpoint of business. This questionnaire guarantees absolute confidentiality and will be used for academic purposes only.

Thank you for your time :)

The importance of external business environment examination before starting international e-retailing business
Questionnaire results are available only to the author

Which business model, do you think better suits the 21st century's international retail industry? ✪

What motive would influence your decision to internationalize business the most? ✪

Internationalization strategies are influenced by three main factors: resources, interpretive schemes and environment. Therefore, in your opinion, how important is it to be aware of their potential impact on new business strategy? ✪

In your opinion, which of the given factors require the quickest reaction to changes that occur? ✪

In your opinion, how strongly can the international business environment influence international e-retailing business operations? ✪

If you were to invest abroad, would you research the chosen country's political system? ✪

Would you rather invest in a democratic or authoritarian political system? ✪

What would be your motives for the decision? ✪

Would it matter if the chosen country is a member of political groupings like the European Union, World Trade Organization, etc.? ✪

Why?

How important is the economic situation of the country in the case of starting a new e-retailing business? ✪

In your opinion, which of the given economic indicators define the economic situation the best? (Choose at least 3) ✪

How concerned would you be to check the inflation, interest, and exchange rates of the country of future investment? ✪

In your opinion, would social-cultural differences impact international e-retailing business? ✪

Would the size of the country's population influence your choice of where to invest?

Why?

According to statistics, household spending in the UK in 2015 reached 1.68 million US dollars/year, meanwhile in Greece 0.19 million US dollars/year. In which of the mentioned countries would you rather invest?

Would you use Geert Hofstede's Cultural Dimensions model to compare and contrast your own and the countries of investment's cultural differences?

In the value from 0 to 5 (0- not important, 5- very important), how would you rate the technological environment's role in international e-retailing business operations? ✪

0
5

Would you look for less or more technologically advanced markets? ✪

Would you consider checking the country's e-readiness index? ✪

Starting a new business requires following the country's jurisdiction of the law. How do you think, which of the suggested law areas affects e-retailing business the most? ✪

As an international business, which of the legal authorities would you choose to trust the most? ✪

Would you consider the possible effects of e-business on the ecological environment? ✪

Would you try to avoid ecological damage? ✪

Before entering a new market, would you research what type of competition predominates in the e-retailing industry? ✪

What would be your preferred type of competition? ✪

In your opinion, which of the suggested competition elements could have a HIGH impact on the e-retailing industry? ✪

Which of the suggested competition elements could have a LOW impact on the e-retailing industry? ✪

Would you consider the examination of the external business environment important before starting an international e-retailing business? ✪

Your gender ✪

Your age ✪

Your education ✪

Your occupation ✪