Overview
This activity will provide you with more details to help you understand the key feature of foreign operations mode. International business has a variety of operating modes each with their own unique advantages and disadvantages.

Activity description
Go to the websites and read through the article on Columbia Sportswear buy-out of the joint venture with Swire Resources in China. Also read the overview of Swire Resources’ expertise and capabilities. Consider the Columbia internationalisation strategy in the Chinese market.

Consider:

• What is Columbia Sportswear’s primary strategic objective for expanding into the Chinese market?
• What disadvantages did Columbia Sportswear managed by initially follow a joint-venture strategy?
• What reasons may have influenced a decision on alternative foreign operations mode in 2014?
• What were the reasons for the buy-out?

Visit the following websites:
https://www.worldfootwear.com/news/columbia-closes-buyout-of-china-joint-venture/3560.html

https://www.swire-resources.com/about/