Managing in a Global Environment | Multidomestic Corporation, Global Company, and Borderless Organization

Explain the differences among a multidomestic corporation, a global company, and a borderless organization. Include examples of companies for each of the types of organizations discussed.

Answer:  

• a. A multidomestic corporation is a multinational corporation that decentralizes management and other decisions to the local country. This type of organization doesn't attempt to replicate its domestic successes by managing foreign operations from its home country. Instead, local employees typically are hired to manage the business and marketing strategies are tailored to that country's unique characteristics. This type of globalization reflects the polycentric attitude. 
• For example, Switzerland-based Nestle can be described as a multidomestic corporation. With operations in almost every country on the globe, its managers match the company's products to its consumers. In parts of Europe, Nestle sells products that are not available in the United States or Latin America. Another example of a multidomestic is Frito-Lay, a division of PepsiCo, which markets a Dorito chip in the British market that differs in both taste and texture from the U.S. and Canadian version. Many consumer companies manage their global businesses using this approach because they must adapt their products and services to meet the needs of the local markets.
• b. A second type of MNC, called a global company centralizes its management and other decisions in the home country. These companies treat the world market as an integrated whole and focus on the need for global efficiency. Although these companies may have considerable global holdings, management decisions with company-wide implications are made from headquarters in the home country. This approach to globalization reflects the ethnocentric attitude. 
• Some examples of companies that can be considered global companies include Sony, Deutsche Bank AG, and Merrill Lynch.
• c. Other companies are going international by eliminating structural divisions that impose artificial geographical barriers. This type of MNC is often called a transnational or borderless organization, and reflects a geocentric attitude. 
• For example, IBM dropped its organizational structure based on country and reorganized into industry groups. And Spain's Telefonica eliminated the geographic divisions between Madrid headquarters and its widespread phone companies. The company will be organized, instead, along business lines such as Internet services, cellular phones, and media operations. Managers choose this form of international organization to increase efficiency and effectiveness in a competitive global marketplace.

Management, 10e (Robbins/Coulter)