
International Sales Management
Chapter from the book:
Akçadağ,
M.
(ed.)
2025.
Modern Sales Management: A Perspective of Theory, Strategy, and Practice.
Synopsis
International sales management is a multi-layered strategic field that governs the processes of promoting products or services in different country markets, reaching customers, and establishing sustainable relationships. Globalization has compelled businesses to compete not only in local markets but also on a global scale, necessitating the alignment of sales activities with cultural, legal, and economic diversity. International sales encompass not only the export of products but also understanding the customer in the target market, establishing effective communication, and managing long-term relationships. In the first part of the book chapter, the structuring of the international sales force is discussed; political risks, regulatory barriers, and exchange rate fluctuations are evaluated along with a comparison of the advantages and limitations of employing expatriates, local personnel, and third-country nationals in the sales force. The second part addresses the selection of appropriate personnel and intercultural training processes, emphasizing the importance of cultural intelligence, language skills, and adaptive selling behavior. The third part examines motivation, performance evaluation, and control systems, with an explanation of how cultural differences influence these processes. In the final section, the cross-border e-commerce model that has emerged with the impact of digitalization is discussed; it is noted that this model enables access to global markets at a low cost without requiring physical presence. However, it is emphasized that for this model to succeed, multi-dimensional preparation is necessary, including legal compliance, cultural adaptation, and integration of digital supply chain management.