International Marketing and Trade Research follows the very same path as domestic research, only that there are a few more problems that can arise when entering the international market. Customers in international markets may have very different customs, cultures, and expectations from the same company than those in their own mother country. In this case, secondary information must be collected from each separate country and then combined, or compared. This is a time consuming process and can be confusing but is it beyond the capabilities of the small Irish exporter?
International Marketing Research relies more on primary data rather than secondary information. It is true that gathering the primary data can be hindered by language, literacy and access to technology and could therefore be somewhat beyond the capabilities of the small Irish exporter.
There are indeed many small Irish exporters existing in Ireland, though no doubt there were many more before the economic crisis hit the country in 2008. Since this event, some firms have probably been forced to look further afield for their business, an option which they had not previously anticipated. It might seem like a daunting task for these firms to undertake their own trade and market research, but they would be well advised to make that effort as it is absolutely essential if one wants their company to succeed in the international market- place.
How could an entrepreneur even imagine introducing his product into a foreign market without first having conducted thorough market and trade research to ascertain if the product had a good chance of being a success overseas?
Market and trade research is absolutely necessary in any market and most especially when one wishes to enters an unknown, foreign market. One cannot presume that their product will succeed internationally, no matter how