SAQA All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Conduct international market research 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
242872  Conduct international market research 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Transport and Logistics Operations 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 11 - Services Transport, Operations and Logistics 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 4  NQF Level 04  6 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2026-06-30   2029-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This unit standard does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard. 

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
This unit standard is for persons working in the International trade environment especially within exports. The learner is able to conduct international market research.

A person credited with this unit standard is able to:
  • Identify the factors that influence market potential in international trade.
  • Differentiate between the regional marketing environments of the world.
  • Identify areas of risk and opportunity pertaining to particular markets.
  • Assess the impact of the international environment on the operations of an organisation.

    This unit standard will contribute to the full development of any learner to increasing levels of efficiency and effectiveness in the International trade environment by providing recognition, further mobility and transportability within the field as well as within other fields. The knowledge, skills and understanding demonstrated in this unit standard are essential for social and economic transformation and upliftment within the International Trade environment. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    It is assumed that learners are competent in:
  • Communication at NQF Level 3.
  • Mathematical Literacy NQF Level 3.
  • Computer literacy NQF Level 2. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    This unit standard is intended for learners who are employed, or wish to be employed in a foreign trade promotion and marketing environment and must participate in conducting a planned export trade development drive to secure new business to achieve the company's strategic objectives and revenue budgets. 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Identify the factors that influence market potential in international trade. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The challenges associated with trading in the international market are identified and explained as it relates to International Trade. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Distances/time zones; climate; culture and language; business practices; legal systems, regulations and barriers to trade; local-law content; political systems; currencies and payments; infrastructure and communications).
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The range of organisational structures for operating in foreign markets are identified and explained as it relates to International Trade. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Direct exporting, export merchants/agents; licensing arrangements; franchising; contract manufacturing; direct investment; company sales branches; wholly owned subsidiaries; joint ventures; and strategic alliances).
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The factors that influence market potential in international trade are identified and explained as it relates to International Trade. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Competitive pressure; saturation of domestic markets; expanding markets and potential demand; comparative advantage; technological advantage; growing market expectations; and costs associated with failure.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Organisational strategy and objectives from a potential export perspective are interpreted as it relates to specific trade markets. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Differentiate between the regional marketing environments of the world. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The regional marketing environments of the world are identified as they relate to particular importing countries. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Trade agreements/blocs are identified and their benefits/drawbacks are explained as they relate to particular importing countries. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Trade agreements will include but is not limited to: WTO; EU; NAFTA; APEC; ASEAN; Mercursor; Andean pact; SAARC; SADC; AGOA.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The regional marketing environments of the world are compared and the differences identified in relation to particular importing countries. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Identify areas of risk and opportunity pertaining to particular markets. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    SWOT analysis and PESTEL may be used. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The importance of doing systematic risk and opportunity analyses is explained given particular importing countries. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The PESTEL gap analysis methodology is explained as it relates to risk identification pertaining to particular importing countries. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Current and future government policy; economic and market trends; social issues; technological changes; environmental issues; legislative issues.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The SWOT analysis methodology is explained as it relates to risk identification pertaining to particular importing countries. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Areas of risk and opportunity pertaining to particular markets are identified by using the PESTEL/SWOT analysis technique. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Assess the impact of the international environment on the operations of an organisation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The advantages and risks associated with trading in the international environment are identified in accordance with organisational policies, procedures and strategy. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The impact of the international environment on the operations of an organisation are assessed as it relates to particular international markets. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Policies, processes and procedures to improve the readiness of organisations to export products/services are explained and applied as it relates to particular international markets. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
    The assessment will be governed by the policies and guidelines of the relevant Education and Training Quality Assuror (ETQA) that has jurisdiction over this field of learning.

    The assessor will be accredited and have a relevant qualification and/or be a subject matter expert in this learning area and have at least three (3) years experience in the skills specific area.

    The learner can be assessed against this unit standard to obtain credits or as part of an integrated assessment for a qualification.
  • Internal moderation.
  • External moderation.
  • An assessor, accredited by the relevant ETQA, will assess the learner's competency.
  • Assessment procedures will be supplied by the relevant ETQA.
  • All assessment activities must be fair, so that all candidates have equal opportunities. Activities must be free of gender, ethnic or other bias.
  • Assessment and moderation procedures, activities and tools must be transparent, affordable and support development within the field, sub-field and NQF.
  • Questions and answers to determine theoretical knowledge are expected.
  • Portfolio of evidence.
  • Direct observation in simulated, controlled and/or actual work conditions may be required. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    The marketing process from an international perspective:
  • Marketing Management.
  • The challenges of the International Marketing Environment.

    The regional differences in international marketing:
  • The PESTEL gap analysis methodology.
  • SWOT analysis.

    The organisational prerequisites for exporting. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identify and solve problems related when conducting international market research. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise oneself and one's activities so that all requirements are met in achieving competence when conducting international market research. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, evaluate, organise and critically evaluate information when conducting international market research. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively when conducting international market research. 

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    N/A 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  57806   Further Education and Training Certificate: Exports  Level 4  NQF Level 04  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2016-12-31  TETA 
    Elective  66249   Further Education and Training Certificate: New Venture Creation  Level 4  NQF Level 04  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  SERVICES 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    NONE 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.