The choice of entry mode into the Chinese market for Icebreaker has a major impact on the success of a firm's international operations. Not only the company will explore a huge potential in China, but also require a big input from Icebreaker, such as finance, human capital, and all other resources. There are several factors will have influence on choosing what entry mode, such as Chinese economics environment, culture, legal, and even the company’s international strategy. (see Appendix 1) In the previous part of this report, we have done the research and an analysis on the Chinese environment, and company international strategy. These will help to conclude an entry mode for Icebreaker entering China.
Generally, there are server ways to enter a foreign market, exporting, International Licensing, International Franchising, Foreign Direct Investment as well as other special modes. The Dunning’s eclectic theory provides a useful insight into the factors that will influence on choosing the entry mode. According to John Dunning, there are three factors affecting company’s foreign investment, the ownership advantage, location and Internalization advantage. The ownership advantage says that the company must own some unique competitive advantage, such as a brand name, ownership of proprietary technology, the benefit of economies of scale…etc. From the research, the company indeed owns some competitive advantage, the unique and prime materials from New Zealand Merino, an international brand even though it is not well known in China. And the production line established in China to cope with a massive demand all over the world, with an economies of scale. Icebreaker invested in China in 2002 when it