ically changed the ways in which we communicate with one another. For the most part, all modes of communications have been made more efficient, expedient and convenient. Thus creating far more economic integration than ever before realized. Therefore, expanding the global markets of many companies beyond limits originally thought possible. These rapid and somewhat unforeseen changes to the world's economy have created many new business opportunities.
             To give an example, the use of the Internet has significantly expanded in both business and personal use, the number of users have significantly increased over the past few years.. [See Appendix A] Currently "the US leads the world in number of total users with 50.5 million households (48.7% of the US population). However, many other developed countries have also caught onto this trend the "UK has 6.4 million users (20.7% of the population), Germany 7.1 million users (12.1% of the population) and France has 3 million users (12.1% of the population)". To give you an idea of the significance of this trend, it should be mentioned that by the year 2004 it is predicted that almost 50% of all on-line sales will be sold outside the US.
             Additionally, there have been significant increases over the past few years in what are referred to as emerging markets, this refers to the transition of "formerly socialist economies into the global economy, and the liberalization of trade and investment in the developing world".2 These markets are expected to continue to grow at a relatively swift pace and play a major role in the continued growth of international business.
             This wide expansion has caused many companies to focus on their international business operations with much more scrutiny. Many companies have realized that in order to remain competitive in world markets, that they must not only maintain domestic business operations, but must also focus strong...