April 2006 Vol. 5 - Issue 4

globalEDGETM Newsletter

inside this issue

  1. New at globalEDGE
  2. Featured Country: France
  3. Poll Question
  4. News
  5. In Depth Look
  6. Recently Added Sites
  7. Featured Online Discussion: The French Connection
  8. Newsletter Information

1) New at globalEDGE

The Academy section has been expanded and reorganized for improved access to resources. The addition of resources in the Entrepreneurship area is accompanied by the re-categorization of resources in Marketing into two areas: a) Marketing and b) Operations and Supply Chain Management.

Also, check out the new Trade Law section and browse through the extensive business overview of international trade law.

Additionally, this month globalEDGE is proud to exclusively host three new intercultural role-playing exercises found in the Exercises and Simulations category of the Academy section. Expand your knowledge and problem-solving skills by navigating real-world situations and let globalEDGE help you succeed in the business world!

(Back to Top)

2) Featured Country: France

Typically associated with wine and fashion, France has many other accomplishments to be proud of- including their myriad of opportunities for business.


There is great potential for business and growth, as the country has varied assets and is benefiting from their transition to a market economy. The government, which has traditionally owned and operated most businesses, has started to privatize many large companies, banks, and insurers. This new system, which relies heavily on market mechanisms, should allow the government more time and resources to focus on the problems of high cost labor and labor market inflexibility.

Learn more about France on globalEDGE Country Insights.

(Back to Top)

3) Poll Question

This month's poll question is:

"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?"

Please view our homepage to vote on this month's poll question.

(Back to Top)

4) News

France's Problem with Capitalism
BBC News (April 8, 2006)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/from_our_own_correspondent/4887560.stm
The First Employment Contract (CPE) has been created in an attempt to create a more flexible labor market within France. The law was aimed at helping young people find employment, but has recently been the cause of riots throughout France. At present, approximately a quarter of those under the age of 26 are unemployed.

France to Replace Youth Job Law
BBC News (April 10, 2006)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4895164.stm
French President Jacques Chirac has recently announced that the First Employment Contract (CPE), that was the cause of riots throughout France, will no longer be enacted. Instead, the prime minister stated that the only way of addressing unemployment in France would be to try and achieve a balance between flexibility for employers and security for employees.

View more News on globalEDGE.

(Back to Top)

5) In Depth Look

The Good in Globalization
International Herald Tribune (April 10, 2006)
http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/04/09/opinion/edcox.php
The Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas set out to discover what type of relationship exists between globalization and public policy. The study ranked 60 countries by degree of globalization. Then, the ranked countries were divided into 4 groups in order to understand how each fraction performed on policies that shape economic performance. The study found that the more globalized nations use policies that achieve faster economic growth, lower inflation, higher incomes and greater economic freedom. The least globalized countries, on the other hand, make use of policies that interfere with markets and lead to stagnation, inflation and diminished competitiveness.

View more In Depth Look articles on globalEDGE.

(Back to Top)

6) Recently Added Sites

A sample of some of our recently added sites:

France: Ministry of Foreign Affairs
http://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/france_159/index.html
The "France" section of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs provides information on culture, economy, foreign policy and society. Also, available are facts about visas as well as studying in France. This site is available in many languages like French, Spanish and Deutsch.
Country: France

Centradex
http://www.centradex.com/login.cfm
Centradex provides trade information on 200 countries, all 50 U.S. States, and millions of companies worldwide. Users may search via company name, product keywords, Harmonized Codes, NAICS Codes, SIC Codes, or an alphabetized list of products. The search results are then graphically displayed with the top 10 import and markets worldwide for the search term. Other displays and information can be obtained such as import and export trends, numbers of units sold to various markets, and the price per unit (PPU) and dollar values of sales.
Category: Research: Statistical Data Sources

Doing Business Indicators
http://www.doingbusiness.org/
The Doing Business Indicators compare the economies of 155 countries based on a wide variety of statistics from credit availability to cross-border trading. Also available for download are reports highlighting different aspects of international business development.
Category: Research: Statistical Data Sources

View more recently added sites on globalEDGE.

(Back to Top)

7) Featured Online Discussion

Featured Discussion: The French Connection

Nearly one year ago, France sent shock waves through the European Union when voters rejected the proposed constitution in a referendum in May 2005. While much of the current press has been focused on French labor laws, the economy has seen a significant slowdown due to a decrease in the production of both industrial and manufactured goods. Recent efforts by the French government to earn Saudi military contracts have proved beneficial and may help to boost France's sagging industrial sector. Although foreign investment remains as an important component to the French economy, France has approved a decree to protect its interests and imposed conditions on foreign takeovers in 11 key industries. A key player on the world stage and a country at the political heart of Europe, France will continued to be closely followed in the months to come.

What role will France play in the EU going forward? Can France fairly justify protecting its industries? Will this affect foreign investment? What has been your experience with French commerce?

Join our online community to discuss this and many other current business topics!

(Back to Top)

8) Newsletter Information

This newsletter is being sent to you by the globalEDGE Team. You elected to receive this newsletter from globalEDGE when you registered on our website, located at:
http://globaledge.msu.edu/

We do not disclose any of your information to third parties. However, if you do not wish to receive further information from us, you can edit your globalEDGE profile using the link below:
http://globaledge.msu.edu/profile.asp

If not already logged in, login with your username and password. You will be able to change any of your membership information. If you wish to opt-out, UNCHECK the box in section three of your profile that says:

globalEDGE Newsletter (see sample)
Yes, sign me up for the free monthly globalEDGE newsletter and other occasional information from globalEDGE and MSU-CIBER."

If you want to receive a Text version of the newsletter, select the Text option from the same section (3) of your profile that says:

"Choose preferred format"

(Back to Top)