Methodology For International Market Research

International Market Research

A reader recently asked me for my thoughts on international market research. He is an MBA student writing a paper:

To be comparable an international marketing research should be conducted applying the same methodology in all participating countries.

I do not agree with this statement as it is written here.

You can only apply the same methodology across different countries for specific tasks in international market research.

…And these are mainly for preliminary international market research – more on this tomorrow.

What You Want From Your Research

So, where can you use the same methodology across any given choice of countries?

And, when do you need to use different methods?

Well, my first question would be:

• What are the goals of your international market research?

And then, the next question is:

• Will different cultures interfere with the methods you get from this information?

What You Get From Your Research

When answering these questions, there is one thing that is obvious to me here.

The closer the information you need from your international markets…

…the more problems you will have at getting valuable information using a single methodology.

This is the thing international business blunders are made of.

Now,that does not mean you should not systematize your international market research.

And there definitely is a place for one single methodology across different cultures in international market research.

…Again, more tomorrow.

The Limits Of Methodology In International Market Research

Today I just want to say something  important first..

International market research for effective international business development has different layers.

• One methodology across the board can work with some of these layers.
• One methodology across the board could give you useful information in some instances.
• And using one methodology across the board could give the advantage to your competitors in other layers of this international market research.

Yes, some people can come up with sophisticated calculations to make methodologies work well.

And, some people will think there is flare involved in certain international successes.

I think there is a time a place when to follow the results from:

• Your international market research
• Specific knowledge acquired through international skills

And, the best international teams I have worked with know when to apply both of these.

More On International Market Research:

• 5 Factors To Consider When Marketing To Different Cultures
• Choose How You Connect With Your Foreign Markets
• Here’s A Blog To Help Your International Market Research
• How Do You Learn About Your International Markets?
• How Do Your Foreign Prospects Use Their Search Engines
• How To Know Where Your International Markets Really Are With Business Blogging
• Methodology For International Market Research
• International Market Research Essentials
• International Market Research Success
• Target Market Research Versus Persona Marketing, Or Both?
• Target Your Global Market With A Good Understanding Of Their Demographics
• Why Is International Market Research So Important?

More In These Get International Clients Business Guides:

• International Market Research
• Design Your International Visibility
• International Web Marketing

Tagged as: academia, business, business intelligence, financial market, foreign markets, global marketing, globalization, international, International Business, international business development, international business intelligence, international market research, International Marketing, market, market research, marketing, marketing research, methodology, research