Country of Origin Effect and Education

A strong country-of-origin effect means that a country's name, attatched to a service or product, means it will be be positively received by the public. This is as obvious as having a Cambridge degree to as subtle as Swiss Bank accounts or degrees from Columbia. These criteria influence purchase decisions for students and target markets. Is the U.S.’s California wine region is catching up with France? Is the educational system of the United States catching up with competition overseas like in North Korea or China?

SWITZERLAND
Switzerland and their delectable, rich chocolate. I have personally divulged in Swiss chocolate and can assure it does not compare with any US Hershey manufactured product or anything made by Nestle. When I see Swiss chocolate, I confirm on the back it was made in Switzerland and I purchase it without comparing it to any of the other competitors. The Swiss make some indulgent and delicious chocolate bars, however, the same cannot be said for a Nestle Crunch Bar.

JAPAN
Japan has a strong country-of-origin effect in regards to their electronic and technological industry. Unlike China, who will be seeing a positive change in their COO, Japan is facing the inverse. With a traditional society that is overpopulated, their sales will suffer because cost of production is too high. When comparing DVD players, video games, or even cars, I immediately recognize the skill and abilities specifically of Japan, even compared amongst the rest of the Asian communities, as superior and reliable. I believe countries such as North Korea and businesses such as Samsung, Apple, and Microsoft will be negatively impacting the country-of-origin effect present in Japan. When purchasing a television, I am very likely to go with a Japanese model than a domestic made product.

Innovation!

Does the country-of-origin effect sometimes negatively effect the reputation of a product? Many scholars have research which supports a negative country-of-origin effect can be see in educational institutions across the globe.

CHINA
China has been known for products of inferior, cheap, inhumane or even deadly manufacturing standards. However, even after the incident with lead paint, China’s force in the global economy has not hesitated. Their disrespect of Intellectual Property laws will surely catch up with the country. If China continues to dominate manufacturing, while incrementally improving on product quality, their importance the global market will be reason enough to diminish negative connotation about Chinese made products. Chinese sweatshops raise ethical concerns among the conscientious consume and calls into question companies who choose to take advantage of these events. These negative perceptions spiked earlier in the century and are on the decline. China’s socialist and capitalist culture are proving to be a force to be reckoned with.

INDIA
India has been known for poor customer support. This is going to change. India is developing at a remarkable rate and they are now consuming more coal than the top two consumers of coal in the United States. As Indian families continue to stress education and tradition it is likely AOL customer support with be easier to understand and communicate with. Because India is awake when everyone else sleeps, they are at a unique marketing advantage to change the way foreign customer’s views the support that is offered in India.

Complications arise when comparing data among countries such as the United States and India because of the different stages of market growth that India is experiencing. After constant struggles, India has a developed one of the most educated populations in the world, with a percentage of doctorate and engineering students that will surely overwhelm their competition. India has a very high literacy rate, however, like many emerging economies, the country still much grow as a ethical society and allow women the chance to learn to read and work. The strict regulations of Korea's educational system give their country a very strong effect when merged with school because of their dedication to standardization. The picture below is one of a North Korean school boy who had to get a haircut to conform with his school's rules for acceptable appearance. Is standardization necessary in an economy that favor creative innovation? This blog absolutely supports maximum autonomy, however, there must also be ample opportunity for students to apply what they have learned in personal areas of their career, to encourage innovation and growth.

Haircut for School

Many countries have stronger educational programs than the United States on an elementary level. North Korea's grade schools are strict and designed to develop a highly educated public. However, the higher level of education, can hardly compete with a United States Ivy League program or some of the prestigious universities of the United Kingdom.

Country-of-Origin Effect

The one aspect of education which must be addressed, is the lack of creativity and discipline found in institution world-wide but especially here at home. This is because memorization techniques will only give the academic opportunities to achieve substandard goals. China, India, Russia, the USA, Pakistan, Bulgaria, Japan, and Switzerland all have developed into powerful nations and their education system represents a strong relationship between ethnocentric and nationalistic beliefs combined with objective results and statistics.