Strategic Alliances and International Mergers and Acquisitions in the Modern Global Business Environment

Globalisation is the growing collectiveness of our world economy, tending towards functioning as a singular entity opposed to multiple separate constituents (Longman,2002). Globalisation is not a modern process, and has been taking place for a considerable length of time as stated by Ellwood (2001:12) ‘Globalisation is a new word which describes an old process’. The process itself is fuelled by human innovation and technical progress, this in turn is spearheaded by sizable companies referred to as multinational or transnational companies (MNCs or TNCs), in an effort to expand their operations these businesses expand their global reach in search of new business opportunities, resulting in an interconnectedness between an expansive range of economies. This essay aims to assess the causes of globalisation as well as analysing its effects, not just economically but on a cultural and political level.

1. The international business environment is multi-dimensional, including economic, political, socio-cultural and technological influences. While each can be viewed in specific national settings, increasingly they have become interrelated through processes of globalisation. In particular, the role of transnational corporations has been a key to the deepening interrelationships across national borders. Yet, globalisation has not led to convergence. Considerable diversity between nations and regions continues to shape the

* For the corporation that has acquired another company, merged with another company, or been acquired by another company, evaluate the strategy that led to the merger or acquisition to determine whether or not this merger or acquisition was a wise choice. Justify your opinion.

As our venture capital firm prepares to take the plunge into global investment, it is vital that we understand all the forces at work. In the book No Ordinary Disruption by Richard Dobbs, James Manyika, and Jonathan Woetzel, they examine four forces that are changing our world and as a result our business and leadership. This executive summary examines the fourth force of, “Greater Global Connections” specifically focusing on Chapter 4, “Trade, People, Finance and Data.” As Dobbs, Manyika and Woetzel walk us through their theory and evidence, it is clear that their analysis is well founded and appropriate.

2. Course Text Book: Ball, Donald; Geringer, Michael; Minor, Michael; McNett, Jeanne. International Business. McGraw-Hill Higher Education, 13th edition, 2012. Print

In the business industry, if businesses want to export their goods and services to other countries, they must become familiar with and adopt international and global strategies. Consequently, there are three types of international and global business strategies. The first type is international, which entails conducting a significant amount of activities outside the home country, yet its focus remains on the home market (Fung, 2014). The second type is multinational, which consists of operating in multiple countries, yet the headquarters is in its home country, not to mention that the competitive advantage will vary by country (Fung, 2014). The third and final type is global, which is when the organization treats the whole world as one market and one source of supply, not to mention, that its competitive advantage is contingent of common brands, standardized products, and global scale production (Fung,

Technological advancement has made globalization an inevitable factor that businesses of the future will need to consider in order to be successful. Increasingly, companies that have been solely domestic are branching out internationally for a wide variety of reasons, but in the end, it’s all about making profits from previously inaccessible market segments. The scaling is vast: international businesses can be as small as a stay at home mother that just created a Limited Liability Corporation to sell a unique product to the world, to an already established international businesses conglomerate with offices across the globe.

Daniels, J. D., Radebaugh, L.H. & Sullivan, D.P. (2015). International business. (15th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall/Pearson Education.

Organizations today are vastly becoming more global and international thanks to the advancement of technology. Global and international businesses are motivated by several goals, including the pursuit of new discoveries, the desire to attract the brightest minds, provide unparalleled knowledge, skills and information. The scope of international and global industries continues to expand today as more businesses and organizations are developing a more strategic approach to international partnerships and the ability to provide a means to sustain meaningful relationships. It is important for leadership to understand and recognize global and international challenges with cultures and the skills needed when communicating.

In today’s fast paced world, many would say that globalization is electrifying, bringing with it worldwide advancement and opportunities as well as economical business growth across nations. Many would also suggest that it has opened doors to the larger demographics of information and communication that crosses geographic, social and cultural boundaries. As a result of globalization, the worldwide market has expanded; bring together companies, workers, experience, knowledge and consumers, making their products easily attainable in different countries and regions. Take for instance the automobile industry, many American cars are built in other countries such as Japan but assembled here in America. Some would consider this as a partnership between both countries. The automobile company is providing employment and advancement to both countries by sharing the designing, management and production process and execution of automobiles which would be sold mainly in the United States. Another great result of globalization is the ability to unify medical and political resources during trying times such as war and to combat the spread of infectious diseases. In many incidents throughout history all participant nations medical and military armed forces have unified with other nations to protect each other 's country, investments and relationships which, if infiltrated could weaken or collapse the world’s economy.

In the recent years, business organizations in the United States have gone through ups and downs. Many organization visions, missions, structures, and models have been shaken. Management and organization leaders continued to seek better and easier ways to compete. The idea of globalization resurfaces in every business conversations, articles, and other sorts of media. Globalization is defined as “economic integration; the transfer of policies across borders; the transmission of knowledge; cultural stability; the reproduction, relations, and discourses of power; it is a global process, a concept, a revolution, and an establishment of the global market free from sociopolitical control (Nayef, 2006).”

In this paper I 'm going to discuss MNE 's (Multinational Enterprise 's) implementations of strategic alliance mostly at the international level; however, I will also provide some specific real cases as examples of strategic alliance.

This chapter introduces the emergence of the globally integrated business world. Globalization has reduced the traditional barriers to cross-border trade and investment (distance, time zones, language, differences in government regulations, culture, business systems).

Globalization encompasses new challenges to the business industry. Nowadays an organization may face changes and must adapt strategically in order to stay on top of its competitors (Nielsen & Montemari, 2012).

A strategic alliance is an agreement between two or more parties to pursue a set of agreed upon objectives needed while remaining independent organizations. This form of cooperation lies between Mergers & Acquisition M&A and organic growth.