Competencies needed for entry-level marketing positions in exporting/importing firms in Taiwan and the Pacific Coast of the United States

The purpose of the study was to assess competencies needed for entry-level marketing positions in exporting/ importing firms in the United States and the Republic of China on Taiwan. Recommendations were made as to how these competencies could be addressed in Taiwan's international trade programs at both the secondary and postsecondary levels.;Analysis of variance was used to test the null hypothesis that there was no significant difference in requirements for entry-level marketing competencies reported by U.S. employers and employees, by Taiwanese employers and employees, by U.S. and Taiwanese employers, or by U.S. and Taiwanese employees. With the exception of the category of foreign language(s), there was no significant difference among these four groups. In addition, factor analysis was utilized to determine the underlying relationship among these competency areas. The results indicated that these competency areas constituted one factor.;Some of the conclusions reached from the responses received were: (1) Communications., human relations, and problem solving and critical thinking were considered essential regardless of job titles. (2) With the exception of foreign language (s), each of the ten categories of competencies were generally considered essential for entry-level marketing employees. (3) In general, bilingual ability was not instrumental in U.S. entry-level marketing employees' being hired. However, it was essential for their Taiwanese counterparts.;Some of the suggested recommendations relating to the international trade programs in the Republic of China on Taiwan are: (1) Microcomputer programs with business/marketing applications should be utilized for instructional purpose. (2) Cooperative work experience programs should be made more available to students by utilizing large, well-organized exporting/importing firms as training stations. (3) Discussions, research projects, case studies, and simulation games should be included in classroom instructions.;Surveys were used to gather data from employers and entry-level marketing employees in exporting/importing firms in the United States and Taiwan. Ten categories of competencies were included in the survey questionnaires. A Likert-type five-point scale was used to evaluate the importance respondents placed on each of the competencies.