Course work for international business roles of multi national enterprises

CAVENDISH UNIVERSITY UGANDA
Student Name: Abraham Ayom Ayom
Course: BBA – Generic
Student ID: 02/00315/123532
Lecturer: Hilary SSerubidde
Module: International Business
Module Code: BBA 225
Year of Study 3rd
year, 1st
Semester
Assignment Number: Two (2) Second Assignment
Session Long Distance Program
Date Issued: 29th
September 2012
Due Date: 30th
October 2012
Assignment Brief: 2nd
Assignment coursework question
Q1. Access the role of multi-National enterprises (MNE) in the economic development of developing countries.
Positive and Negative?
Guide to Students
1. Maximum 10 pages word processed
2. Use Times New Roman
3. Font Size should be 12
4. 1.5 Spacing
5. For referencing purposes use the Harvard Author-
Date System
Instructions to Students
1. This form must be attached to the front of your
assignment
2. The assignment must be handed in without fail by the
due date
3. Ensure that the submission form is date stamped at
reception when you hand it in
4. Late submission will not be accepted unless with
prior agreement with the course Lecturer/Tutor
5. All assessable assignments must be word processed
1 Presented by Abraham Ayom Ayom, email: abraham.ayom@yahoo.com, or Tel: +211 927 034 102
2nd
course for International Business

Table of Contents
• Introduction -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------2
• Multinational enterprises(MNE)----------------------------------------------------------------2
• Positive and Negative roles for Multinational enterprises in Economic development
of developing countries----------------------------------------------------------------------------3
• Conclusion-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------5
• Referees-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------5
Introduction
A multinational enterprise is a firm that has productive capacity in a number of countries. The
profit and income flows that they generate are part of the foreign capital flows moving between
countries. As countries adopt more open outward oriented approaches to economic growth and
development the role of multinational enterprises (MNE) or transnational corporations become
more important. As local markets throughout the world are being deregulated and liberalized
foreign firms are looking to locate part of the production process in other countries where there
are cost advantages. These might be cheaper sources of labor, raw materials and components or
have preferential government regulation. Although LDCs may present high levels of risk they
also present the potential for higher levels of profit. Many LDCs with growing economies and
increasing incomes may provide future growth markets.
Many development economists are concerned with role of the MNEs in low income countries
and identify a number of problems associated with foreign direct investment. Equally other
economists and politicians argue that MNE activity can drive growth and development. The true
answer is that probably the arguments put by both sides are applicable in certain countries with
certain MNEs at certain times.
Multinational Enterprises (MNE)
Multinational enterprise (MNE) is a company that takes a global approach to foreign markets and
production or one with operations in more than one country and it headquarter in one country. It
is willing to consider considering market and production locations anywhere in the world. An
MNE is often called multinational corporation (MNC), Multinational Corporation (MNC) or
transactional company (TNC).
MNE is used in a global approach
MNC is used in International business arena
TNC is used by United Nations
2nd

The roles for Multinational enterprises both positive and negative roles in economic
development of developing countries
Positive Roles
Let us consider the arguments from both sides. Firstly, from those who maintain the importance
of foreign direct investment as part of the engine necessary for economic growth?
A MNE investing in an area may result in a significant injection into the local economy.
This may provide jobs directly or through the growth of local ancillary businesses such as banks
and insurance. It might initiate a multiplier process generating more income as newly employed
workers spend their wages on consumption.
MNEs may provide training and education for employees thus creating a higher skilled
labor force. These skills may be transferred to other areas of the host country. Often
management and entrepreneurial skills learned from MNEs are an important source of human
capital.
MNEs will contribute tax revenue to the government and other revenues if they purchase
existing national assets as in the case in Zambia through the privatization process.
Create wealth and jobs around the world. Inward investment by multinationals offer much
needed foreign currency for developing economies. They also create jobs and help raise
expectations of what is possible.
Their size and scale of operation enables them to benefit from economies of scale enabling
lower average costs and prices for consumers. This is particularly important in industries with
very high fixed costs, such as car manufacture and airlines.
Large profits can be used for research & development. For example, oil exploration is costly
and risky; this could only be undertaken by a large firm with significant profit and resources. It is
similar for drug manufacturers.
Ensure minimum standards. The success of multinationals is often because consumers like to
buy goods and services where they can rely on minimum standards. I.e. if you visit any country
you know that the Starbucks coffee shop will give something you are fairly familiar with. It may
not be the best coffee in the district, but it won’t be the worst. People like the security of
knowing what to expect.
The opportunities for developing economies are significant as well. Through the application
of capital, technology, and a range of skills, multinational companies' overseas investments have
created positive economic value in host countries, across different industries and within different
policy regimes
2nd

In the light of these important/benefit roles, there are also negative roles/ problems and concerns
associated with MNEs?
Negative Roles
The Negative roles/Problems of Multinational Enterprises
The MNE may employ largely expatriate managers ensuring that incomes generated are
maintained within a relatively small group of people. The attraction for the MNE may be the
large supply of cheap manual labor who they can employ at low wages. This may contribute to a
widening of the income distribution. It will also not lead to the transfer of management skills.
MNE investment in LDCs often involves the use of capital intensive production methods.
Given that many LDCs are often endowed with potentially large low wage labor forces and have
high level of unemployment this might be considered inappropriate technology. More labor
intensive production methods might be a more appropriate option for alleviating poverty and
aiding development. Any resulting growth might be considered anti-developmental.
MNEs engage in transfer pricing where they shift production between countries so as to
benefit from lower tax arrangements in certain countries. By doing this they can minimize their
tax burden and the tax revenue of national governments.
As many MNEs are very large and have considerable power they can exert influence on
governments to gain preferential tax concessions and subsidies and grants.
Companies are often interested in profit at the expense of the consumer. Multinational
companies often have monopoly power which enables them to make excess profit. For example,
Shell made profits of £14bn last year
Their market dominance makes it difficult for local small firms to thrive. For example, it is
argued that big supermarkets are squeezing the margins of local corner shops leading to less
diversity.
In developing economies, big multinationals can use their economies of scale to push local
firms out of business.
In the pursuit of profit, multinational companies often contribute to pollution and use of non-
renewable resources which is putting the environment under threat.
MNCs have been criticised for using ‘slave labour’ – workers who are paid a pittance by
Western standards
Conclusion
2nd

Multinational company enterprises investment in the developing world opens up new horizons
for economic development and for company strategy. The McKinsey Global Institute's latest
report shows that the overall economic impact of multinational investment on developing
economies has been overwhelmingly positive despite the persistence of policies that lead to
negative, unintended consequences. Companies are also seeing substantial benefits but have only
started to capture the large cost savings and revenue gains possible from operating in these
markets.
Outward oriented economists maintain that the cycles of poverty will not be broken from within
the domestic economy. The level of investment needed to raise productivity and incomes is not
possible. Thus foreign direct investment through the MNE activity is essential.
Reference
John Daniels University of Miami, Lee H.Radebaugh Brigham Young University, & Daniel
P.Sullivan University of Delaware, International Business environments and operation, 11
Education( Multinational Enterprises, Multinational corporation or Transnational corporation)
http://www.economicshelp.org/blog/538/economics/multinational-corporations-good-or-bad/
The roles for Multinational enterprises
http://www.bized.co.uk/virtual/dc/copper/theory/th18.htm
The roles for Multinational enterprises
http://www.mckinsey.com/insights/mgi/research/productivity_competitiveness_and_growth/new
_horizons_for_multinational_company_investment
2nd

Course work for international business roles of multi national enterprises

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