Product Type: Market Research Report
Published by: Icon Group International, Inc.
Published: October 2000
Product Code: R307-16777Description This report puts executives and strategic planners on the fast track. The first chapter describes the study's methodology. The second chapter gives an overview of how to strategically access the market, mid-term forecasts of latent demand and accessibility benchmarks. The remaining nine chapters are not industry specific, but instead discuss economic fundamentals, marketing & distribution options, export and direct investment options, and full risk assessments (political, cultural, legal, human resources). Combined, the information provided in this market study is a "one-stop" shop for the strategic planner. Ample statistical benchmarks and comparative graphs are given.
Excerpt: The primary audience for this report is managers involved with the highest levels of the strategic planning process, and consultants who help their clients with this task. The user will not only benefit from the hundreds of hours that went into the methodology and its application, but also from its alternative perspective on strategic planning in Switzerland.
This report helps executives evaluate strategic investment and entry alternatives in Switzerland. In order to evaluate Switzerland, Icon Group International, Inc. draws on a methodology developed by Professor Philip Parker at INSEAD in Fontainebleau, France. The methodology decomposes a country's strategic potential along two key dimensions: (1) latent demand, and (2) accessibility. A country may have very high latent demand, yet have low accessibility, making it a less attractive market than many smaller potential countries having higher levels of accessibility.
This report provides a strategic profile of Switzerland along these lines. Throughout the discussion, literally hundreds of statistics on Switzerland are benchmarked against regional and global averages. The reader can thus quickly understand where Switzerland fits into the regional and global perspective. The report first investigates the economic fundamentals affecting Switzerland. These fundamentals are the source for Switzerland's latent demand. Then, the subsequent chapters detail Switzerland's accessibility. This evaluation covers a number of entry alternatives, including export strategies, and local direct investment strategies. If a firm decides to have a local presence in Switzerland, this requires a strategic understanding of local business conditions. The conditions investigated in this report include local marketing (advertising, distribution, pricing issues) and entry strategies (opening an office, joint venturing, etc.), as well as human resources management (labor laws, costs, regulations). Because local presence can increase exposure, the report next assesses a number of factors affecting business risks in Switzerland (again, benchmarked against regional and global averages). These include: political risks, legal risks, cultural/demographic risks. Risks can only be evaluated within a historical context; history, alas, often repeats itself. The final chapters summarize Switzerland's economic, political and social history. In doing so, the reader has a full appreciation of history's role in shaping Switzerland's current potential.
Table of Contents 1 Introduction & Methodology
1.1 What does this report cover?
1.2 Evaluating Switzerland
1.3 Latent Demand and Accessibility in Switzerland
2 Internet Services
2.1 Latent Demand and Accessibility: Background
2.2 latent demand: aspects of interest
2.2.1 Market Profile
2.2.2 Best Sales Prospects
2.2.3 Statistical Data
2.3 Accessibility: The Structure Of Competition
2.3.1 Marketing Strategy
2.3.2 Local Production
2.3.3 Third Country Import
2.3.4 U.S. Presence
2.3.5 End-User Analysis
2.4 Key Factors
2.4.1 Import Climate
2.5 key Contacts
2.5.1 Private Sector
2.5.2 Major Internet Agencies
2.5.3 Trade Shows
2.5.4 Magazines
2.5.5 Trade Associations
2.5.6 Government Agencies
2.5.7 Law Firms
2.5.8 U.S. Commercial Service
3 The Economics Of Latent Demand In Switzerland
3.1 Executive Summary
3.2 Economic Issues in Switzerland
3.2.1 Economic Trends
3.2.2 Government Role in the Economy
3.2.3 Balance of Payments Situation
3.2.4 Infrastructure Development
4 Export Accessibility In Switzerland
4.1 Executive Summary
4.2 Exporting to Switzerland
4.2.1 Trade Barrier Risks
4.2.2 Food Retailing System
4.2.3 Swiss Cartels
4.2.4 Testing and Certification
4.2.5 Telecommunications
4.2.6 Customs Duties
4.2.7 Value Added Tax
4.2.8 Excise Taxes
4.2.9 Quotas
4.2.10 Custom Broker's Fees
4.2.11 Environmental Taxes
4.2.12 Import Licenses
4.2.13 Export Control Issues
4.2.14 Import/Export Documentation
4.2.15 Temporary Entry of Imports
4.2.16 Labeling and Marking Requirements
4.2.17 Prohibited Imports
4.2.18 Standards
4.2.19 Free Trade Zone Options
4.2.20 Special Import Provisions
4.2.21 Membership in Free Trade Associations
4.2.22 The Banking System
4.2.23 The Central Bank
4.2.24 The Banking Market
4.2.25 Cantonal banks
4.2.26 Big Banks
4.2.27 Regional and Savings Banks
4.2.28 Lending Associations
4.2.29 Other Banks
4.2.30 Finance Companies
4.2.31 Private Banks
4.2.32 Branches of Foreign Banks
4.2.33 Specialized Financial Institutions
4.2.34 Postal Check System
4.2.35 Local Currency Denominated Interbank Clearing
4.2.36 Swiss Securities
4.2.37 Swiss Corporation for International Securities Settlements
4.2.38 Swiss Options and Financial Futures Exchange
4.2.39 Performance of the Banking System
4.2.40 Recent Developments in Banking Legislation
4.2.41 Foreign Exchange Controls Affecting Trade
4.2.42 Availability of Local Financing
4.2.43 Financing Exports
4.2.44 Types of Export Financing and Insurance
4.2.45 Availability of Project Financing
5 Direct Investment Accessibility In Switzerland
5.1 Executive Summary: Infrastructure
5.2 Executive Summary: Natural Resources
5.3 Executive Summary: Industry
5.4 Direct Investment in Switzerland
5.4.1 Openness to Foreign Investment
5.4.2 Right to Private Ownership and Establishment
5.4.3 Corporate Boards
5.4.4 Hostile Takeovers
5.4.5 Foreign Financial Institutions
5.4.6 Insurance
5.4.7 Protection of Property Rights
5.4.8 Laws and Regulation Governing Commercial Transactions
5.4.9 Foreign Trade Zones/Free Ports
5.4.10 Major Taxation Issues Affecting Foreign Business
5.4.11 Direct Investment Incentives and Requirements
5.4.12 Regulatory Corruption Risks
5.4.13 Corruption Risks
5.4.14 The Local Labor Market
5.4.15 Efficiency of Capital Markets and Portfolio Investment
5.4.16 Currency Conversion and Transfer Risks
5.4.17 Expropriation Risks
5.4.18 Dispute Settlement Risks
5.4.19 Political Violence Risks
5.4.20 Key Bilateral Investment Agreements
5.4.21 Capital Outflow Policy
6 Marketing & Distribution In Switzerland
6.1 Executive Summary
6.2 Marketing and Distribution in Switzerland
6.2.1 Distribution and Sales Channels
6.2.2 Import and Wholesale Trade
6.2.3 Retail Trade
6.2.4 Typical Product Pricing Structures
6.2.5 Use of Agents/Distributors
6.2.6 Franchising Activities
6.2.7 Direct Marketing
6.2.8 Joint Venture and Licensing Options
6.2.9 Creating a Sales Office
6.2.10 Selling Factors/Techniques
6.2.11 Advertising and Trade Promotion
6.2.12 Radio and TV
6.2.13 Pricing Product
6.2.14 Sales Service/Customer Support
6.2.15 Public Sector Marketing
6.2.16 Intellectual Property Risks
6.2.17 Local Counsel Requirements
6.2.18 Swiss Trade Register
6.2.19 Kompass
7 Human Resource Assessment In Switzerland
7.1 Executive Summary
7.2 Human Resources in Switzerland
7.2.1 Unionization in Switzerland
7.2.2 Collective Bargaining in Switzerland
7.2.3 Workweek and Minimum Wages in Switzerland
7.2.4 Forced Labor in Switzerland
7.2.5 Working Ages and Child Labor in Switzerland
8 Political Risk Assessment In Switzerland
8.1 Executive Summary: Government
8.2 Executive Summary: Military Organization
8.3 Democracy in Switzerland
8.4 Political Issues in Switzerland
8.4.1 Major Political Issues Affecting Business Climate
8.4.2 Political System
9 Legal Risk Assessment In Switzerland
9.1 Executive Summary
9.2 Legal Issues in Switzerland
9.2.1 Privacy, Search and Seizure
9.2.2 Trial Justice in Switzerland
9.2.3 Excessive Punishment in Switzerland
10 Cultural And Demographic Risks In Switzerland
10.1 Executive Summary
10.2 Cultural Issues in Switzerland
10.2.1 Racial, Ethnic and Discrimination Issues in Switzerland
10.2.2 Women's Rights and Gender Issues in Switzerland
10.2.3 Religion in Switzerland
10.2.4 Fundamental Human Rights in Switzerland
11 Historical Background
11.1 Business Customs in Switzerland
11.1.1 Holidays
11.1.2 Business Infrastructure
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