International Marketing: industry - Essay Example

Traditionally, the Japanese government promoted and managed key industries and then turned them over to private firms to run. This practice was seen as necessary in order to protect the viability of Japanese businesses (Black 1989). Japanese baseball market is one of the largest markets in the world covering different age and income market segments. On the hand, economists underline that: "the owners are like the keiretsu that once lorded over the business landscape: They have grown too cozy with one another to operate efficiently" (Japanese Baseball, 2006).

Japanese players, seeing the Americans come to Japan and earn five times the salary of Japanese players, are becoming more concerned with getting their fair share. The storied Japanese work ethic is being eroded by the example of the "Gaijin," who rarely engage in the rigorous training of the Japanese players (Japanese Baseball Teams, 2006). In contrast, in the USA Baseball is seeking redress only where players breached their contracts during the term of such agreements. In the USA, Major League Baseball expanded its activities to other countries such has Canada, Brazil, etc (Alexander 1991).

The popularity of baseball in the Far East rivals that in the United States. In contrast to Japanese baseball, monopoly of League in the USA has a profound impact on baseball marketing. It establishes certain rules and regulations obligatory for all teams and players nationwide. The problem with this is that the player draft only includes players from the United States and Venezuela. If the draft is not expanded to international talent, then wealthy owners could clean up on the international free agent market. 2. According to Japanese traditions and cultural dogmas, aged players have to subordinate themselves to the needs and good of the team.

Because of these norms, Japanese baseball owners use this cultural traditions and run a disciplined cartel. Japan is often recognized as a nation that has been successful in importing American technologies and industrial methods without allowing American cultural and social norms to erode Japanese traditions. In fact, their ability to import western methods while retaining Japanese traditions of individual subordination have been crucial to Japan's ability to become a major player in international trade.

To strengthen baseball, the Japanese imported more than the game. They also brought over many of the players. American players in Japan have greatly raised the profile of baseball in that country and they have also raised the level of play. One of the unintended consequences of importing American players, however, has been an erosion of traditional Japanese attitudes about the balance between individualism and team play. For an ageing US baseball player it would be easier to become a member of baseball minor leagues, Rookie Leagues or Independent Leagues.

In this case, Japanese owners would avoid possible problems and antitrust legislation followed by Major League Baseball. Also, it would necessary to find a Japanese agent. 3. In baseball, the most likely potential international competitor for Major League baseball is Japan, where baseball has become a national obsession, if not the national pastime. But several recent developments in Japanese baseball indicate that they will not be able to exploit non-western trade policy in order to cut into the American baseball market.