Introduction to Business

Multinational companies like Nestlé compete with other multinationals in the global environment for scarce and valuable resources, such as customers and raw materials. In this chapter we first describe the nature of the multinational company and the way it affects, and is affected by, the countries in which it operates. Second, we discuss the forces in the specific global environment that affect the way these companies operate. Third, we describe the forces in the general global environment that affect the activities of multinationals as they compete around the globe. Lastly, we examine the challenges that confront all businesses today in a changing global environment.