Abstract:

We’re taking a look here at China and India, two countries that recently are increasingly being regarded - after Japan and Korea - as the driving forces behind the global economy in the 21st century. Nowadays a third of the global population lives in China and India. Together these two countries account for 6% of the global gross domestic product but, with annual growth rates of 6% for India and almost 10% for China, this is set to change in the near future. China’s strength is in mass manufacturing and economies of scale. India excels in software, design and services. There is also a growing class of consumers with changing attitudes and aspirations and higher expectations and demands. Over the next few years we will witness a fascinating spectacle: essentially the forces of the modern market economy coming together. But what will the consequences be for market research? John Smurthwaite acts as our guide for an initial exploration which focuses on these two markets with enormous potential in this issue of Research World.