What is an example of a company that is market-seeking?
In Global Economics for Managers, a market-seeking company is one that invests in or enters a foreign location primarily to serve local or regional customers, making option C the correct answer. Market-seeking behavior is driven by demand-side considerations rather than cost or resource availability.
Option C describes a firm searching for a location where there is high consumer interest in camping supplies, which directly reflects a desire to access and serve a specific market. Such firms are motivated by factors like market size, growth potential, consumer preferences, and proximity to customers. Market-seeking firms often establish foreign subsidiaries, sales offices, or production facilities to adapt products to local tastes and respond quickly to demand.
Option A describes a resource-seeking firm, focused on obtaining low-cost or specialized inputs. Option B also reflects resource-seeking behavior, specifically in extractive industries. Option D describes a cost-seeking (efficiency-seeking) firm that locates production in regions with low labor costs.
Global Economics for Managers classifies foreign direct investment motives into market-seeking, resource-seeking, efficiency-seeking, and strategic asset-seeking. Market-seeking investment is particularly common in consumer goods and service industries, where understanding local preferences is critical for success.
For managers, recognizing market-seeking motives helps guide decisions about location, marketing strategy, and product adaptation. Thus, option C accurately illustrates a market-seeking company.