An Answer

Greetings all:

According to the American Heritage Dictionary (3rd Edition):

MULTINATIONAL - 1) Having operations, subsidiaries, or investments in
more than two countries. 2) Of or involving more than two countries.
(noun)A multinational company or corporation.

TRANSNATIONAL - 1) Reaching beyond or transcending national boundaries.
2) Relating to or involving several nationalities.

In other words, your company can be operating in a "transnational"
mode, but may not be a multinational.

But what about the current "Global" buzzword, as in; "We are a global
company"?

GLOBAL - 1) Having the shape of a globe; spherical. 2) Of, relating to,
or involving the entire earth. 3) Comprehensive, total.

It would appear that some companies may indeed be multinational. Some
companies may not be multinational, but are transnational. Very few are
truly "Global" as defined in 2&3!

Regards,
Vernon


wileycc-@aol.com wrote:
original article:http://www.egroups.com/group/spiers/?start=61
> Please explain the difference between "transnational" and
"multinational."
> When doing business on a what-I-think-is-meant by "multinational"
basis, what
> is the difference anyway? You can only do business with so many
people
> before you're topped out (unless you're Microsoft).
>
> Ginger
>
> My understanding is a multinational is a corp with head offices
> overseas..like Ford USA and Ford of UK...a transnational is a company
> headquartered in one area and does busiiness all over...and how is
that
> different than int'l...who knows, words get tired so people give them
a rest.
>
> John

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