From the globalEDGE Team

The holiday season is upon us. From everyone here at globalEDGE, we would like to wish you Happy Holidays!

Fact of the Month

Some cod caught in Scottish waters is sent 10,000-miles round-trip to China for processing before being shipped back to the United Kingdom for sale in supermarkets and fast food outlets.

Feature of the Month: Food and Beverage Industry

The Food and Beverage Industry is comprised of many facets, from the processing of raw foods to their packaging and distribution. Aside from those who live off of the food they grow, nearly every person in the world is considered a consumer in the food and beverage industry. In the past, the agriculture and food and beverage industries were conjoined. Today, the industry is more defined by the technological and mechanical aspects of food distribution, with the aim of creating more value-added products. Local distributors have largely been supplanted as the industry has grown global in nature. Multinational corporations have better been able to finance and coordinate the supply chain and competitive aspects of the industry, thus making it most viable and profitable for them. This global reach also allows for better market research, which has led to the tailoring of their regional products in a way which satisfies the cultural desires of those locales. As far as global trends go, the breakneck pace of the business world has made convenience and quick preparation a priority for many consumers, as indicated by the steady growth of fast food companies. Health and environmental concerns have also become factors in determining where consumers go for their cuisine. Successful distributors have adjusted accordingly. This can include using sustainable products to make and serve their food and drink, coming out with a new healthy-option line, or mimicking dishes made by celebrity television chefs. Regardless of how, the key is keeping up with rapidly-shifting trends. In doing so, they help raise perceptions of their brand, and increase their profit and sales.

From the globalEDGE Blog

It’s often difficult for those in the Food and Beverage Industry to determine what consumers want. The industry is such that the consumers have very fickle tastes, and this makes for quick trend shifts. While organic foods were popular in 2008, the recession led to a return to inexpensive comfort foods in 2009. With the economy in recovery, what trend shifts can we expect in 2010?
 

• Read more on the globalEDGE Blog!

Featured Resources

Food Logistics
Food Logistics is a resource on logistics and supply chain management within the food and consumer packaged goods industry. This website provides a free newsletter which is published nine times a year and provides analysis and solutions to challenges in warehousing, material handling, transportation and information management. Also available are industry news, an industry calendar of events, and a directory of trade associations.
Category: Food and Beverage Resources

Business Traveller
Launched in the UK, the Business Traveller magazine provides information for the frequent business traveler on topics such as aviation, hotels, etc. While articles from the current issue require a subscription to view, the user can access past issues and other helpful information. The City Guides section features compact guides to visiting major cities of the world.
Category: Travel/Living Abroad

• For a more comprehensive list of resources, check out globalEDGE's Resource Desk!

Featured Academy

Legal Framework of International Business
The Legal Framework of International Business module can help one better understand the laws of governance of the sea and air, and how such rules and regulations can impact international business as well as advertising laws throughout much of the world. This module will be able to help those looking to launch their products and services internationally by laying out some of the political and legal aspects of doing business in multinational markets. A case study on the U.S. Passenger Services Act is also available.
Category: Online Course Modules

Diversophy
Diversophy is a set of intercultural training games, designed for teams of 3 to 8 people playing simultaneously. Players are tested on cultural facts and appropriate behavioral choices, share their own background and experiences with diversity or intercultural challenges, get advice about the culture they are exploring, and explore the risks of living or working in a new environment or with people different from themselves. Diversophy is now also available in a mobile phone version.
Category: Exercises and Simulations
 

• For more links to academy resources, check out our Academy Page on globalEDGE!

globalEDGE Business Review

"Motivations Between Island Tourists"
By: Sung Hee Park and Chi-Ming Hsieh
The island tourism market is a major growth segment worldwide in international tourism. Penghu, Taiwan, and Phuket, Thailand, have become major tourism destinations for Taiwanese tourists. This paper will explore the difference between Taiwanese tourists who choose between Penghu and Phuket as their travel destinations.

If you wish to share your expertise on an issue in international business, visit our gBR Homepage to see how and where to submit your entry.

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