Chapter 1 Mbf
Chapter 1
Globalization and the Multinational Enterprise
Questions
1-1. Globalization and the MNE. The term globalization has become very widely used in recent years. How would you define it? Narayana Murthy’s quote is a good place to start any discussion of globalization: “I define globalization as producing where it is most cost-effective, selling where it is most profitable, and sourcing capital where it is cheapest, without worrying about national boundaries.” Narayana Murthy, President and CEO, Infosys 1-2. Globalization and Value Creation. What does an MNE need in order for it to create value through the globalization process? Global business, like any business, is the social science of managing people to organize, maintain, and grow the collective productivity toward accomplishing productive goals, typically to generate profit and value for its owners and stakeholders. A multinational enterprise (MNE) needs three fundamental elements in order to build firm value: (1) an open marketplace; (2) high quality strategic management; and (3) access to capital. 1-3. Value Creation and the Concept of Capitalism. How does the concept of capitalism actually apply to the globalization process of a business, as it moves from elemental to multinational stages of development? Open markets and insightful leadership is all for nought if the MNE cannot gain ready access to affordable capital. It is capital that allows the investment needed to obtain the technology, execute the strategy, and expand across global markets. It is the “capital” in capitalism; it is the ability of the enterprise to reach out and obtain resources from outside of the firm to pursue the firm’s vision and create the value for all of the key stakeholders in the enterprise itself, and subsequently for the community and society of which it is an integral element. 1-4. Theory of Comparative Advantage. Define and explain the theory of comparative advantage. The theory of comparative advantage provides a
Globalization and the Multinational Enterprise
Questions
1-1. Globalization and the MNE. The term globalization has become very widely used in recent years. How would you define it? Narayana Murthy’s quote is a good place to start any discussion of globalization: “I define globalization as producing where it is most cost-effective, selling where it is most profitable, and sourcing capital where it is cheapest, without worrying about national boundaries.” Narayana Murthy, President and CEO, Infosys 1-2. Globalization and Value Creation. What does an MNE need in order for it to create value through the globalization process? Global business, like any business, is the social science of managing people to organize, maintain, and grow the collective productivity toward accomplishing productive goals, typically to generate profit and value for its owners and stakeholders. A multinational enterprise (MNE) needs three fundamental elements in order to build firm value: (1) an open marketplace; (2) high quality strategic management; and (3) access to capital. 1-3. Value Creation and the Concept of Capitalism. How does the concept of capitalism actually apply to the globalization process of a business, as it moves from elemental to multinational stages of development? Open markets and insightful leadership is all for nought if the MNE cannot gain ready access to affordable capital. It is capital that allows the investment needed to obtain the technology, execute the strategy, and expand across global markets. It is the “capital” in capitalism; it is the ability of the enterprise to reach out and obtain resources from outside of the firm to pursue the firm’s vision and create the value for all of the key stakeholders in the enterprise itself, and subsequently for the community and society of which it is an integral element. 1-4. Theory of Comparative Advantage. Define and explain the theory of comparative advantage. The theory of comparative advantage provides a