Multinationals are all around us!
This post is to help you to explore the concept of multi-national corporations. Read the article in the link below and examine the infographic that shows the ten companies that control most of what you buy.
a. Describe what you understand by the term multi-national corporation.
b. What two bits of information surprised you the most on the infographic and article and why?
c. Explain what this information makes you think about your own purchases. What changes will you make and why?
a. Describe what you understand by the term multi-national corporation.
ReplyDeleteA multinational corporation is a large company which has a number of different affiliations in various countries.
b. What two bits of information surprised you the most on the infographic and article and why?
The two bits of information which surprised me were the fact that only ten companies control all brands of food and beverage, as well as the diversity of each bran, for example Pepsi is the owner of Cheetos.
c. Explain what this information makes you think about your own purchases. What changes will you make and why?
The information provided goes to show a strategy in how producers become billionaire companies, it’s all in diversity. I don’t think there would be any changes to my shopping habit. You may think that ceasing to purchase from one brand makes a difference, but who knows which of these 10 brand are also affiliated.
Thanks for your comments Sam. You need to explain why those two items in (b) surprised you. Remember, to use the rubric to help shape your answers.
DeleteYou still have not addressed the questions Sam.
DeleteA
ReplyDeleteA Multinational corporation is a large enterprise whose headquarter is in one country but is registered and operates in more than one country.
B
While I am aware of Multinational Corporations, it was indeed surprising to realize that only ten parent companies control over hundred plus brands shown on the infographic. It was also surprising to realize that I use at least one of the hundreds plus products on a daily or at least weekly basis such as Coca Cola products, or snacks from Nestle, Kellogg’s and Mondelez. It was worrying to realize how little I know about the products I consume on an almost a daily basis as it relates to the origin of the products and by extension the parent company of these products. I was always under the assumption that Cadbury was a parent company on its own therefore, it was surprising to know that Mondelez is the parent company of Cadbury.
C
This infographic really got me thinking about how much I take my purchases for granted. It is quite easy to just go the grocery and absentmindedly pick up the products I usually buy as I’ve grown up with most of the brands shown on the infographic. It takes a conscious effort to realize how much of what I consume are actually owned by foreign Multinational Corporations. This brings to mind the ongoing battle to buy local and cut down on the approximately $5 million spent on food imports yearly. Do we really need so many foreign products? Although I try to buy local I inevitably end up with some of the products shown in the infographic for instance, today I had a Kit Kat, a Sprite, used soap from Unilever and coffee from Nestle. After studying the infographic, I realized I must make a greater effort to support local companies which provide similar goods to those shown in the infographic where possible. It is important to buy local as it aides in improving the economy of the country as profits stay within the country and not sent abroad to the respective Multinational Corporations. Another change I would make is to know more about the products I purchase, especially whether the product was produced locally or by a foreign Multinational Corporation. How many local companies provide us with products that are similar in quality and price to those produced by the MNCs?
Great response Amirah. I can see how well you are using the rubric to frame the reflection in your answers.
DeleteI found this ....interesting look at MNCs at a much larger scale.
Deletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FbyNp-5U6pg
A multinational corporation is an organization, that owns or controls production of goods or services in one or more countries other than their home country
ReplyDeleteThe graphic focuses on 10 powerful food and beverage companies: Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, Unilever, Danone, Mars, Mondelez International, Kellogg's, General Mills, Nestle, and Associated British Foods. This graphic just shows that these corporations control almost everything we buy in the grocery store.
What is shocking is that many of these corporations uses GMO’s in their products. Pepsico is one that uses GMO’s which means that the everyday snacks and bevearges I consume maybe filled with GMO. I can recall Pepsico as the company who had to settle a $9 million class-action lawsuit over Naked Juice false advertising, claiming the products were all natural and 100% juice when they are actually full of GMOs.
I now see the importance of reading the labels before purchasing, I had no idea Pepsico made Frito lays and Doritos. It is frightening, as I ask myself what else is there to consume that is safe and all natural? My only answer is to go green. However is it easy to say but difficult to actually do. So in the mean time I will continue my purchases in moderation and try to limit my consumption of these products and support local farmers and companies. If we stop buying from these companies then we would stop supporting them and eventually some change will be brought about but it takes a collective effort and if people are not serious then no changes will be made. These companies make billions and do not care about the consumers. As long as they are bringing in the millions or billions it is all that matters to them.
I can see your thinking clearly in this post. We are really in a difficult situation with these companies producing all our food and seeking to maximise their profits at the expense of consumers. Will it ever end?
Delete1. A multinational Corporation is one large company that is based at one location but has several others products and franchise under their names . They may also have smaller companies at other locations around the globe.
ReplyDelete2. It surprises me that these 10 parent companies supply so many other products that is available at most local stores and also the amount of revenue that each company generates is overwhelming. Each parent company also produces varied products.
3. Whenever I go to the supermarket I try my best to purchase as local as possible, in the first budget after the PNM we were told that all foreign products we will be paying an additional tax. This move was made for us to boost the economy by purchasing local products and to also reduce the food import bill. I buy Mabel's, Mattouks, sunshine cereals, nestles, Chief, and local companies that purchase in bulk and package it, for example all our beans and cornmeal are package. The foreign brands a more expensive and I also try my best to purchase local to help boost the economy. Yes I agree that some of these foreign products have a better quality but if we can read whatever we purchase where it was packaged and manufactured we can surely assist the country's economy which needs our help so badly. I think that quite a number of consumers are unaware of that fact about the import taxes and food tariffs which is passed on to the consumer. Buy local its also healthier.
Great response Seeta, but are we sure that the local is truly "local?" Most of our fresh produce is imported from other islands. Much of the raw material for the manufactured stuff is imported.
Deletea.Describe what you understand by the term multi-national corporation.
ReplyDeleteA multinational corporation/company is an organisation doing business in more than one country. 'In other words it is an organisation or enterprise carrying on business in not only the country where it is registered but also in several other countries.
b. What two bits of information surprised you the most on the infographic and article and why?
Two bits of information that surprised me the most are;
How these companies are interlink with others like I didn’t know that Pepsi and Haagen Dazs had a bigger power over them.
Also the amount of revenue it earns for the year, who know that these products earn so much.
c. Explain what this information makes you think about your own purchases. What changes will you make and why?
Well in purchasing these items I would be more aware of the companies or corporations that we are purchasing from. I will purchase more local products so our country can benefit from it.
Thanks for posting, but I was expecting a bit more detail. Can you explain how the country would benefit from you purchasing more local products?
Delete1. From my readings i understand that multi-national corporations are these huge businesses or organisations that produced multiple number of products using a range of tags brands and names.These companies or organisation operate in multiple countries to maximize the revenue through a range of products.
ReplyDelete2. I was surprised at the products that companies such as Unilever and Coca-Cola i noticed that the famous Coca-cola company also produced water so although they may deter you from consuming soda and drink more water they will still benefiting with no sales loss since they were producing the water as well.Unilever on the other hand was producing products that went beyond just edible items they were the producers for Axe body sprays this surely surprised me.
3. This information really made me think that even as a consumer if i did not approve of something and intend to boycott a company of their item by switching to another it may not affect them since these multi national corporation are the mass producers and their products are the only things on our shelves under a range of brands, names and labels.Maybe i will look into supporting more of our local producers which will benefit me as will as support local food industry.
Great post Kristy. You addressed all the key issues and paid attention to the requirements of the rubric. Well done.
DeleteI found this ....interesting look at MNCs at a much larger scale.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FbyNp-5U6pg
a. Describe what you understand by the term multi-national corporation.
ReplyDelete* Can also be referred to as a Worldwide enterprise, in that it is a corporate
organisation, (entity headquartered) that owns ,control or manages the
production and distribution of goods and services, in several countries other
than their home country.
Examples: Apple; Uber; Starbucks; Nestles; FedEx Express; BMW; KFC; Adidas Etc.......
b. What two bits of information surprised you the most on the infographic and article and why?
* I was amazed to vast means of production and supplies, being manufactured by one "parent company" example:Nestles and Cocoa Cola.
*Their production line, is targeted at wide range, that of companies who would usually manufacture beverages/ food item are also in the area of interest for example; hygiene.
Example:(Unilever on the other hand was producing products that went beyond just edible items they were the producers for Axe body sprays this surely surprised me); as kristy had mentioned in her post.
c. Explain what this information makes you think about your own purchases. What changes will you make and why?
* Honestly it has open my eyes somewhat, in that I would usually purchase product that is quite common in the Market. However as I say it for myself, these unfamiliar bands of goods and services, that I would often boycott from, are actually being manufacture by these recognize organization. So this has change my perspective, to be a little more cognizant of the product I purchase and had a clearer idea on how these multinational organizations has been marketing their good and services around the world.
One suggestion I would like to draw
For people like myself, who tend to only indulge in more common brands and not actually taking the time to investigate some of these new or foreign brands.; here my suggestion w for these multinational organisation; A little more ADVERTISING would be a bonus for these products! Just saying!
Thanks Merissa, But why do you think the multi-nationals may not want you to know their range of brands? Please respond.
DeleteYep! Multinationals are definitely all around us. I had no idea of the extent to which they are linked to almost all of the popular products that we purchase until now.
ReplyDeletea. A Multinational corporation is large group of companies operating in different countries across the world which is controlled by one company in the home country.
b. (i) I am a regular consumer of Dasani water, unconsciously aware that the Coca-Cola company owns this brand. This is shocking to me because I stopped purchasing cokes and began to purchase more Dasani water, unaware that all the profits generated from purchasing that brand of water, will still go to the main company Coca-Cola. Thus, other local companies that also produce water may not benefit from such profits.
(ii) Multinational corporations tend to specialize in not just one product but several products. For example, PepsiCo not only owns pepsi and other sodas Quaker Oatmeal, Cheetos, and Tropicana. As a result of owning several different brands, this company owned a total revenue of $63 billion in 2015. This bit of information was also shocking to because I was also unaware that a beverage company also produces both healthy (Cheetos) and unhealthy (Quaker Oatmeal) snacks.
c. Most items listed in the article and info-graph are products that I purchase. This information made me realized that whether I purchase healthy products (oatmeal, water) or unhealthy products (pringles, m&ms') from the companies listed in the article and info-graph, its a win win situation for these multinationals. Although it will be a very difficult decision to stop purchasing the products that I usually do from these popular multinational corporations, this means that I really need to take into consideration that the profits generated when I purchase these items while in fact benefit the same companies i wish not to support. I must now think about the information that I was exposed to and support local producers rather than these multi billion dollar companies who doesn't seek the interest of the countries in which they operate. I do wish that more people become aware and well informed that most of the products they purchase are actually going to the same companies they may not want to support.
Excellent insights!
Deletea. Describe what you understand by the term multi-national corporation.
ReplyDeleteMultinational Corporations or Transnational Corporations are corporate organization who own and control production of goods or services in two or more countries other than their home country. Their operations are for more than one country at different time frames. Their operation are also controlled by one main area with different subsidies for the other countries.
b. What two bits of information surprised you the most on the infographic and article and why?
I think this article was extremely informational as we buy these products everyday and we do not know the control most of these products.There were many things surprising to me from this article, but one of the most surprising things to me was that the company Nestle which many people know of in Trinidad and Tobago controls Pasta making products such as digiorno , hot pockets, stouffers, as well as fun dip which we had consumed at a earlier age. Some other things included General Mills , a cereal making company also makes yoplait as well as Haagen Daz which are both milk products, always thought these were made by a national ice cream and milk company such as nestle.
Another thing also was that the company Pepsico produces Tropicana a product of which I always consume, this was very shocking.
c. Explain what this information makes you think about your own purchases. What changes will you make and why?
I think I will continue to make few purchases as it they do help other products all of which I do consume but one major thing I will stop purchasing Tropicana as it may contribute to pepsi and other products as well.
This article was very helpful and very unknown to see that only a few companies produce and monitor all these products.
Thanks for your insights Rebecca.
DeleteMultinational firms arise because capital is much more mobile than labour. Since cheap labour and raw material inputs are located in other countries, multinational firms establish subsidiaries there. They are often criticized as being runaway corporations.
ReplyDeleteEconomists are not in agreement as to how multinational or transnational corporations should be defined. Multinational corporations have many dimensions and can be viewed from several perspectives (ownership, management, strategy and structural, etc.)
The two bits of information that surprised me the most on the info graphic and article are:
Never knew Kellogg's made pringles, my favourite potato chip. I eat this chip almost every day and never paid attention to the distributors.
Thought Haagen- Daz was a band. I never knew it came out of a band. Also my favourite ice cream.
This information allows me to think of my purchases. It also encourages me to pay more attention to what I purchase. The changes I would make is to purchase more local in order to sustain our local producers.
Kavita, thanks for your post but you have not really said what a multi-national is.
DeleteA multinational corporation is a business organization where activities are located in two countries or more and is the organizational form that defines foreign direct investment.
ReplyDeletetypically, it is the large companies headquartered in one country but with operations in several countries. The defining trait of a multinational corporation is being incorporated usually in its home country and doing business in several countries.
what i found surprising to me the brands and what company that they were associated with and how much money we spend on these brand foods and the other brand that is on the same rank as they are. Also i taught about our look franchise and i am wondering if they are making as much as these brands such as sunshine and holiday foods.
For me i would try to purchase more local because i would be saving way more than purchasing these brands and of course drink for water and enjoy my very own Charles chocolate yes!