Online Marketing in China and Germany

Recent years have witnessed the tremendous growth of the Chinese economy, rising living standards, and an increasing number of internet users in the Middle Kingdom . This combination makes China one of the most promising online markets for international companies. As China is Germany s most important Asian trading partner, many German companies are now attempting to market their products and services online to Chinese consumers. However, one obstacle to online marketing in this unique environment is the issue of culture. The focus of this study is to investigate possible cultural differences between Chinese and German consumers and to analyse their effect on perceptions of online marketing. The aim is to help German companies build a successful online presence in the Chinese market by determining the degree of standardization and adaptation required.

Autorentext

Maria Prüß, Bachelor of Arts: International Business Studies at Aalen University of Applied Sciences; Business Studies at the University of Abertay Dundee. Marketing Intern at Müller Weingarten (Shanghai) Forming Technologies Co. Ltd. in China, 2006. Researcher Consumer at the Boston Consulting Group GmbH in Munich.