GLOBALIZATION IN THE RUBBER INDUSTRY: WHO IS DRIVING THIS BUS, WHERE IS IT GOING, AND HOW DO I GET A GOOD SEAT? (Paper No.Ⅰ)

摘要

For better or worse, the global economy is becoming more integrated. The Rubber Industry has not been spared from the impacts of the shifting market, nor will it be in the future. However, all is not lost for U.S. rubber producers. The key to business success is understanding the forces driving this trend and proper positioning within the new competitive framework. This paper describes the fundamental market forces driving globalization including: the shift of finished goods manufacturing to the developing world, demographic trends, feedstock cost and availability, and manufacturing cost differences. The intention of this paper is to provide the U.S. Rubber Industry with a fundamental understanding of the current market which can be used as a foundation upon which a successful global business strategy can be built.