This project requires you to research a nation as a future market for a new video game system, the M-Box. The M-Box competes against the video games of companies already in the market, such as Sony, Nintendo, and Microsoft. The M-Box can be played either at home or between players in an online, interactive format. Working as part of a team, you will research and analyze a country, then recommend a course of action to the producer of the M-Box, MES-Sim Corporation. This second phase of the project requires your team to develop a Business Environment Analysis Report (BEAR) for the country in which the M-Box will be introduced. Your task is to rate 25 variables that may affect the marketing of the M-Box in that country, and justify each rating. These justifications comprise "talking points" that can be used later to present this report to your class. You are encouraged to access the BBC News Country Profile Website or additional online resources of your choosing and must compile all your references at the end of this report. When finished, your team can print and/or save the BEAR report for use on later modules of this project. Requirements: Students' first task for this module is to examine a series of country variables that may enhance or detract from the success of their team's marketing of the M-box. This involves rating 25 factors in 5 categories: (1) demographics, (2) government, (3) physical infrastructure, (4) economics, and (5) communications infrastructure. Students rate these 25 factors on a sequence of Likert-type scales. Each team must then justify its ratings by composing "talking points" on each variable, which can later be used in presenting the report to the class. The final task is to make an overall assessment of the potential market, and to forecast the future market outlook. Sources: Students can once again access the same resources as in the MIR, but are encouraged to seek additional sources. Students are invited to consult the broad list of "Further Online Sources" provided on Blackboard, and are also urged to locate additional sources. BEAR Module Questions: In question #1 below, students are to rate each of the 25 variables (in five sets) listed on Likert-type scales ranging from "Not at all adequate" to "Highly adequate." After they rate the first set of five variables (within "demographics," for example), students are presented with question #2 below, which asks them to justify their ratings of each variable. After students rate and justify all five sets of five variables each, they will answer the four parts of question #3. 1.Your Analysis: Rate It Listed below are five variables that may influence your marketing strategy in (country name). Please rate each variable with a number from 1 to 5 that reflects your team's assessment of the adequacy of each item. (1 being "Not at all adequate", 5 being "Highly adequate") 1.1.Demographics Total Population Population Growth Rate Age Structure Middle Class Size Urban/Rural Composition 1.2.Government Government Stability Economic Freedom Openness to FDI Legal System Currency Convertibility 1.3.Physical Infrastructure Roads and Highways Railways Airports Navigable Waterways Ports 1.4.Economics GDP Growth Rate Per Capita GDP Consumer Inflation Rate Trade as Share of GDP Potential Market 1.5.Communications Infrastructure Fixed Telephone Market Wireless Telephone Market PC Ownership Internet Users TV Ownership 2.Your Analysis: Explain the Ratings Below are the five criteria presented earlier and your team's rating of each. In the space provided under "Talking Points," please explain why your team gave each criterion the rating it did. For each criterion, list at least three specific points drawn from your team's evaluation. Describe the team's rationale in full and be prepared to defend each reason you list. (See question #1 for individual variables for which students will justify their ratings) 2.1.Demographics 2.2.Government 2.3.Physical Infrastructure 2.4.Economics 2.5.Communications Infrastructure 3.Global Attractiveness Rating for the Country Listed below are four questions regarding your team's overall assessment of the country examined. In the space provided under "Talking Points," please provide your team's answer to each question. Your team should be prepared to defend each of its answers. 3.1. Holistic Assessment: Is your team satisfied with the overall "global attractiveness rating" for your country? Given the chance, would your team change any portion of its analysis? Explain your answers. 3.2. Key Factors to Watch: According to your team, what three key factors should companies looking to do business in the country monitor? Explain your answer. 3.3. Short-Term Assessment: Does your team believe that the country's business environment will improve, worsen, or remain the same over the coming 12 months? Explain your answer. 3.4. Long-Term Assessment: Does your team believe that the country's business environment will improve, worsen, or remain the same over the coming decade? Explain your answer. Country is Cte d'Ivoire