Assume that your firm is considering whether to make a component in-house or to outsource it to an independent foreign supplier. Manufacturing the part in-house will require an investment in specialized assets; quality control and the protection of intellectual property rights are major concerns. The most efficient and reliable suppliers are located in countries whose currencies many foreign exchange analysts expect will appreciate in the next decade; likewise, wage rates in those countries are expected to rise. Discuss the pros and cons of manufacturing the component in-house as opposed to outsourcing it. Should the firm consider foreign direct investment as one of its strategies?.
Sample Solution
