Needs Assessment Survey: Doing Business with China. Report.

Discusses industry interests in international trade and the need or desire for business training programs involving international trade at the College of the Canyons. A survey was conducted on industry representatives from the Santa Clarita Valley on their need for training on doing business in the Pacific Rim, mainly China. In January 2003, 577 surveys were mailed out with a response rate of 7 percent. Results indicated that 55 percent of the respondents have done business with China with most of those respondents having a favorable experience. Also, the majority of the respondents indicated that they were interested in doing business and expanding their product or service into China. Despite respondents' interest in expansion, some factors such as market access, market uncertainty and other factors inhibited their desire to expand. According to the respondents, the most important things to learn before doing business in China were: (1) laws/regulations; (2) distribution networks; (3) market potential; (4) marketing channels; (5) Chinese business infrastructure; and (6) Language. Recommendations for the College include the development of an international business program designed to prepare local businesses for business with China. Contains four figures, two tables, the survey instrument, response frequencies, and open-ended responses. (JS)