7 After learning of no import barriers to its product, a US processed food manufacturer conducted market research in Japan to determine the degree of interest in cake mixes. The results were encouraging: the Japanese enjoy eating cakes. Concluding that there was no reason why Japanese consumers would not want to buy ready-made cake mixes, the company proceeded to persuade Japanese supermarkets to carry its product. The sales were extremely disappointing. Did the Japanese interviewed mislead the manufacturer?

Or did the manufacturer fail to ask enough or the right questions?