International Business Report 2008
IBR 2008
The International Business Report (IBR), formerly known as the International Business Owners Survey (IBOS), provides insight into the views and expectations of over 7200 privately held businesses across 32 countries.
This unique survey draws upon 15 years of trend data for original participants of IBR's predecessor the European Business Survey (EBS) and 5 years of trend data for original participants of IBOS.
Manufacturing
Having seen world trade in goods expand at over 8 per cent a year during the global economic boom of 2003-07, manufacturers are bracing themselves for difficult times. The industry’s problems stem largely from rapidly waning demand but are being compounded by turmoil in the financial sector.
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Tax: the price we pay
The views of major multinational listed companies on tax issues are well documented. But there has been little comprehensive research done on the impact of taxes on privately held businesses (PHBs) including entrepreneurs, family businesses and non-listed entities which account for over 98 per cent of businesses worldwide.
This report examines the opinions of owners and directors of PHBs from 34 economies. Specific issues covered include 'the most burdensome aspects of taxation' and 'those aspects of taxation regimes that influence choice of location the most when establishing a foreign base'.
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Global overview
IBR 2008 is a warning to PHBs that tough times are ahead and they will need to take decisions to become increasingly competitive, whether the economy continues on its downward slope or not.
All key performance expectations surveyed in 2008 were down on levels seen in 2007 with particularly marked falls in expectations for employment, profitability and investment.
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Emerging Markets
Entrepreneurial as they are, privately held businesses (PHBs) around the world simply can no longer operate domestically without reference to foreign markets.
Emerging markets demand particular attention as they transform themselves and create new centres of wealth and commerce. Such markets provide opportunities in the form of new markets to sell products, locations for outsourcing production or distribution facilities as well as new opportunities for mergers and acquisitions.
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Mergers & Acquisitions
Global mergers and acquisitions (M&A) have become a reality of life for all kinds of companies. The headlines might be dominated by a few 'mega' deals involving corporate giants, but that is not the whole picture. Privately held businesses (PHBs) have quietly recognised that, in an increasingly competitive, changing and challenging environment, well-thought-out and carefully executed cross-border M&A transactions can boost the value of their business.
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Recruitment and retention: the quest for the right talent
A focus on recruitment and retention of staff is essential for today’s privately held businesses. They are aware that competitiveness is devised from talent and it follows that recruitment and retention are not just human resource issues but an important part of business strategy. Human capital management now sits alongside business strategy so organisations can be certain they have the right people, in the right place at the right time.
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Corporate Social Responsibility: a necessity not a choice
We all have a personal responsibility to each other and the world around us. Everything we do has an effect on other people. It is the same for businesses, large and small, public or private, that their actions affect a large number of stakeholders.
In this report we look at Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and what is driving privately held businesses to adopt CSR related practices. We also examine what initiatives are being adopted and which countries are adopting CSR formally.
CSR is no longer the domain of the large corporate and is now a necessity rather than a choice for all businesses. Those failing to act now face an uncertain future.
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