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May 2010 Vol. 9 - Issue 5

Fact of the Month

Greece is the fifth-largest importer of weapons in the world. The top four are China, India, South Korea, and the United Arab Emirates.


Feature of the Month: Aerospace and Defense Industry

Survival is one of the most primal instincts of man. Thus, it is no surprise that throughout the course of history, the development of technologies designed to conquer and defend has been constant, and that these technologies have always been in high demand. One of the primary roles of a government is to protect its citizens, and as such, they offer lucrative rewards to whoever can give them a tactical advantage. This arrangement has led to the birth of the Aerospace and Defense Industry as we know it today. The contemporary Aerospace and Defense Industry comprises companies that manufacture products designed primarily for military use. Such products include naval vessels, military and commercial aircraft, missiles and ammunition, spacecraft, and technologies such as radar and sonar. Since the primary demand for Aerospace and Defense products comes from national governments, the majority of A&D companies tend to do their business primarily with the country in which they are headquartered. The industry is one of the most concentrated, with production being dominated by a very small number of very large firms. Some of the worldwide leaders are Boeing, BAE Systems, and Lockheed Martin. Instead of manufacturing innovative vehicles, such as the ever-advancing designs of tanks in World Wars I and II, modern demands have shifted towards technologies which can effectively detect and track enemies. As national security is often one of the top priorities for any government, and many countries desire technological superiority in this area, the outlook for the industry is very bullish.


From the globalEDGE Blog

Trends in the Aerospace and Defense Industry have been shifting lately- what was once a primarily domestic industry has started to become global in nature. As highly populated nations such as China and India become more open to global markets, international suppliers will seek to fill their demands. What are some of the things we can expect to see from the global Aerospace and Defense market in the near future?


Featured Resources

Outsourcing Resource Center
Managed by Bank Systems and Technology, an organization promoting privatization and outsourcing, the Outsourcing Resource Center features research and commentary on outsourcing topics and provides select links to outsourcing news and other outsourcing websites.
Category: Outsourcing

The Law of International Trade: A Business Overview
Produced by Warner Norcross & Judd LPP, this globalEDGE exclusive provides a thorough yet concise synopsis of major issues related to international trade law. Subjects covered include: Exporting, Importing, Contracts for the Sale or Purchase of Goods, Joint Ventures and Direct Investment, and a special section entitled "Traps for the Unwary." This is a must read for all business persons!
Category: Trade Law Resources

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

Featured Academy

The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)
The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) module provides information pertaining to: The historical origins of NAFTA; facts of NAFTA and member states; Canada's role in NAFTA; Mexico's role in NAFTA; future developments towards regional integration. This module provides in depth information on the economic effects of NAFTA and the future possibilities that NAFTA holds. A case study on the U.S.-Canadian software lumber dispute is also included.
Category: Online Course Modules

Michigan State University: Facilitating Connections to International Business: A Guide for Foreign Language Educators
Foreign language educators face the challenge of how to facilitate connections of foreign language education to international business. Patricia Ryan Paulsell and Cate Brubaker provide a guide to these educators showing best practice from five leading universities on international business education. The guide also provides the 'stakeholders' strategy to cater needs of the students and parents, the institutional decision makers, and the business community. Opens in PDF format.
Category: Internationalization Resources

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

globalEDGE Business Review

"Microfinance: The Journey from Non-Profits to Major Financial Institutions"
By: Paulette L. Stenzel
The microfinance industry began through individuals and non-profit organizations that wanted to help the poor obtain loans for microenterprises. Today microfinance is a growing industry returning profits to investors and offering basic financial services to the poor. Since its inception, microfinance has expanded and matured in its global reach, legal structures, and product diversity. The sustainability of the industry illustrates that programs designed to promote social equity can evolve into viable business models.

  • 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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