The Role of the Internet in Facilitating International Business - Google Inc - Annotated Bibliography Example

Research and Planning Assignment Topic: The Role of the Internet in Facilitating International Business: A Case Study of Google Inc A. Chosen Company The company chosen for this study is Google, an American multinational corporation founded by Larry Page and Sergey Brin in 1998. Google specialises in the provision of internet related products and services such as cloud computing, software, online search and messaging technologies and advertising technologies among many other services (Hamen 2011). Google has been chosen for this study due to a number of factors. Firstly, the company has over the years played a significant role in facilitating the global patterns of trade. The company operates in over 90 countries around the world. Through the products and services that it provides, it helps to enhance global trade patterns. For example, one of Google’s core businesses entails providing online advertising technologies which help business get exposure of their products and services around the world. Moreover, Google facilitates access to information to the entire world in every language. Secondly, Google was chosen due to the competitive advantage it has in the industry that it operates in. Currently, Google is has the largest access to internet users worldwide. As a compared to other companies operating in the information communication technology industry Google has a stronger market share due to its excellent culture of innovation and strong patent portfolio (Smith & Williams 2009; Steiber 2014). Thirdly, Google was chosen because over the years, the company’s operations have had a significant impact on the economic, legal and cultural systems of the countries that it operates in. Through its revolutionary search engine, Google has enhanced the accessibility and dissemination of information. Furthermore, through some of its products and services such AdWords, Google Fibre, Google Apps and Cloud Computing , Google has transformed the way in which companies around the world conduct business. It has enabled companies to gain access to worldwide markets and improve the efficiencies of their business operations. In addition to this, through services such as Google+, the company has enhanced cultural communication and homogenization (Smith & Williams 2009; Steiber 2014). B. Library Catalogues: Books 1. Cullen, J.B. & Parboteeah, P.K., 2009, International Business: Strategy and the Multinational Company, Routledge, New York. This book will be of great use in this study mainly because it provides invaluable insight on a wide range of issues pertaining to international businesses. One of the key areas that it particularly explores in-depth relates to the operational and functional strategies that the multinational companies (MNCs) employ to support their operations particularly in relations to marketing, and supply chain management. In this case, the authors explore how MNCs use the internet to support their operations. 2. Hamen, S,E. 2011, Google: The Company and its Founders, ABDO Publishing Company, Edina, Minnesota. Since the focus on this study will be on Google Inc, this book will be a beneficial reference point for examining how the company capitalises on the internet to provide business solutions to companies and continuously spur innovation. In this book Hamen (2011), explores the history of Google and how the company has over the years capitalised on the internet to come up with innovate products and services that have significantly changed how business is conducted worldwide. 3. Barfield, C.E., Heiduk, G.S. & Welfen, P. J.J., 2003, Internet, Economic Growth and Globalization: Perspectives of the New Economy in Europe, Japan and the USA, Springer, New York This book explores the dynamic and challenges of international businesses in a world that is increasingly becoming digitised and globalised. It particularly focuses on examining how the internet through various information and communication technologies affects production, productivity, trade and financial systems. 4. Litan, R.E. & Rivlin, A., 2010, The Economic payoff from the Internet Revolution: Brookings Task Force on the Internet, Brookings Institution Press, Washington D.C This book is an essential reading that provides invaluable insight on the role of the internet in facilitating international business. In this book Litan & Rivlin (2010) look at how the internet revolution can enhance business operations by improving quality and enhancing productivity. They particularly analyse the role of the internet in facilitating business in areas such as retailing, automobile manufacturing and sales and financial services among other areas. C. Electronic Database: Journals 1. Sinkovics,R.R.& Bell, J.D., 2005, ‘Current perspectives on international entrepreneurship and the internet’, Journal of Enterprenuership vol 3, iss 4, pp. 247-249. Key Phrases: “international entrepreneurship”, “the internet” “Current perspectives” Quote: “ The Internet is widely seen as a powerful tool to help firms overcome physical and managerial barriers to internationalisation. This is particularly true for smaller entrepreneurial firms, given their widely recognised human and financial resource limitations, restricted international experience and lack of knowledge of global markets. Many commentators argue that Internet enablement offers the prospect of removing a whole range of potential internationalisation barriers” (Sinkovics & Bell 2005:247). 2. Kursan, I. & Mihic, M., 2010, ‘Business Intelligence: The role of the internet in marketing research and business decision-making’, Management vol 15, pp. 69-86 Key Phrases: “The role of the internet”, “marketing research”, “business decision-making” Quote: “From the perspective of developing an efficient marketing strategy, the Internet provides better insights into sometimes hidden and unavailable data regarding customers, their impacts on business, consumer behavior and buying decisions. It also offers an opportunity for businesses to create an image, offer information about products and services, develop relationships with profitable customers, better understand the consumer buying practices, ensure continuous product improvements with respect to customers’ needs, etc.” (Kursan & Mihic 2010:72). 3. Loane, S., 2005, “The role of the internet in the internationalisation of small and medium sized companies”, Journal of International Entrepreneurship vol 3, iss 4, pp. 263-277. Key Phrases: “role of the internet”, “internationalisation”, “small and medium sized companies” Quote: “Clearly, new Information Communication Technologies (ICT) and the Internet, in particular are providing entrepreneurial small firms with new ways to conduct business and to exchange and communicate ideas and information such firms to improve their efficiency and develop new ways to co-ordinate their activities often in an international context. Many authors contend that the Internet offers small firms an invaluable resource for use in internationalisation activities, as at a stroke they may have global reach via a website” (Loane 2005: 263-264). 4. Yip, J. & Dempster, A., 2005, ‘Using the Internet to Enhance Global Strategy’, European Management Journal vol 23, no.1, pp. 1-13 Key Phrases: “the internet”, “Enhance” “Global Strategy” “Internet Use” Quote: “Our Study confirms that using the Internet does indeed help companies to globalize and to implement global strategies. We have drawn eleven lessons for managers from our findings. Perhaps the most important lesson is that the Internet helps companies be both global and local at the same time.” (Yip & Dempster 2005:10). D. Items Published on the Internet 1. Meltzer, J., 2014, ‘Supporting the Internet as a Platform for International Trade, Global Working Papers No. 65, viewed September 23 2014 This source can be considered as credible and reliable due to its authoritativeness. The article is published by Brookings Institution, a private research institution. The name of the author has also been indicated in the paper. The article is also up to date since it was published in 2014. In addition to this, the article incorporates a full list of references (books and journals) to show where information was obtained from. 2. Mathews, S.W. & Bianchi, Constanza, B., 2010, The role of the internet on international market growth of Australian firms : an exploratory stud, In: Proceedings of the Australia and New Zealand International Business Academy (ANZIBA) Conference 2010, 15-17 April 2010, Sydney, Australia, viewed September 23 2014 The credibility and reliability of this source can be linked to a number of factors. Firstly, the names of the authors are indicated in the article. The authors are associated with a credible institution i.e Queensland University of Technology. Secondly, the authors of this article have also presented unbiased information by examining issues from different angle. Moreover, the article has a complete list of works cited from credible and authoritative sources such as books and journals. 3. Hamel, G., 2014, What Role Does the Internet Play in Marketing and Sales of Products, viewed September 23 2014 This article is credible and reliable mainly because, it is up to date. The names of the authors are indicated in the article. The authors is associated with a credible institution i.e Demand Media, a content and social media company. Additionally, the author of the Web information also has some authority in the internet commerce field. Thus the information presented can be considered to be realiable. E. Progress so far: An Assessment Through this research process, a total of 12 credible sources comprising of books, peer reviewed journals and website sources have been identified. A critical review of these sources it is evident that they touch on different issues pertaining to the role that the internet plays in facilitating a wide range of operations or functionalities of international business. These sources also provide contrasting perspectives on the role that the internet plays in international business. Some of the sources reviewed highlight the positive role that the internet plays whereas others have highlighted some of the negative impact that the internet has on international business. Based on the sources reviewed it is evident that there are different and contrasting views in literature on the role that internet plays in facilitating international trade. In essence, there is no consensus on this issue. Therefore, this research study will seek to critically explore the role that the internet plays in facilitating international business. It will seek to establish whether the internet positively contributes to the efficiency, productivity and financial performance of international businesses. In order to provide more specific information this study will focus on the previously selected company i.e Google Inc. Essentially, the focus of the study will be on examining the role that the internet has played over the years in facilitating the operations of Google Inc around the world. It will also seek to explore both positive and negative outcomes associated with internet use in Google’s business. Therefore, the thesis of this research study will be; What role does the internet play in facilitating Google’s operations in the global market? F. Plan A. Introduction- 400 words Background of the topic International Business; what does it entail? (50 words) Argument on the advent of the internet and how it has revolutionalised international business (200words) Statement of the Thesis question and objectives of the study (50 words) A preview of the different areas that the paper will cover( 100words) B. Body- 1650 words Literature Review – 800 words Role of the internet in facilitating international business (300 words) Positive outcomes associated with internet use in business(250 words) Negative outcomes associated with internet use in business( 250 words) Overview of Google- 850 words History of the Company (50 words) Key Operations (100 words) The role the internet plays in facilitating Google’s operations in the global market (300 words) Positive outcomes associated with internet use in Google’s business(200 words) Negative outcomes associated with internet use in Google’s business( 200 words) C. Conclusion -150 words A synthesis and summary of key arguments presented in the paper D. References E. Appendices References Barfield, C.E., Heiduk, G.S. & Welfen, P. J.J., 2003, Internet, Economic Growth and Globalization: Perspectives of the New Economy in Europe, Japan and the USA, Springer. Cullen, J.B. & Parboteeah, P.K., 2009, International Business: Strategy and the Multinational Company, Routledge, New York. Hamel, G., 2014, What Role Does the Internet Play in Marketing and Sales of Products, viewed September 23 2014 Hamen, S,E. 2011, Google: The Company and its Founders, ABDO Publishing Company, Edina, Minnesota. Litan, R.E. & Rivlin, A., 2010, The Economic payoff from the Internet Revolution: Brookings Task Force on the Internet, Brookings Institution Press, Washington D.C Kursan, I. & Mihic, M., 2010, ‘Business Intelligence: The role of the internet in marketing research and business decision-making’, Management vol 15, pp. 69-86 Mathews, S.W. & Bianchi, Constanza, B., 2010, The role of the internet on international market growth of Australian firms : an exploratory stud, In: Proceedings of the Australia and New Zealand International Business Academy (ANZIBA) Conference 2010, 15-17 April 2010, Sydney, Australia, viewed September 23 2014 Meltzer, J., 2014, ‘Supporting the Internet as a Platform for International Trade, Global Working Papers No. 65, viewed September 23 2014 Sinkovics,R.R.& Bell, J.D., 2005, ‘Current perspectives on international entrepreneurship and the internet’, Journal of Enterprenuership vol 3, iss 4, pp. 247-249. Smith, B.E. & Williams, R.C., 2009, Google Business Solutions All-in-One for Dummies, John Wiley & Sons, New York. Steiber, A., 2014, The Google Model: Managing Continuous Innovation in a Rapidly Changing World, Springer, New York. Yip, J. & Dempster, A., 2005, ‘Using the Internet to Enhance Global Strategy’, European Management Journal vol 23, no.1, pp. 1-13 Read More