Транснациональные корпорации, их плюсы и минусы

Multi-national companies locate around the world for their own benefit - in other words - to make as much money as possible. They bring with them both advantages and disadvantages for the country that plays host to them.

How do multi-national companies affect their host country?

Investment:

Advantages: The companies bring much needed money into the country. Although most of their profits do return to the company’s country of origin, the local economy does benefit.

Disadvantages: The wages paid to local workers are often low and some companies have been accused of exploiting the local workforce rather than benefiting it. There are often tax incentives for these companies to locate in countries in the Developing World. This added to the fact that they take most of their profits out of the country, means that the actual economic benefit to the country could be minimal.

Technology:

Advantages: The companies help the development of the country by bringing in technology and knowledge that the host country does not possess.

Disadvantages: Unless the company actively participates in a program to educate local companies in the new technologies, the country’s industry will not really benefit. Multi-national companies might be worried by sharing too much information, as they could find themselves with increased competition from local companies.

Transport:

Advantages: The new companies often help to improve transport links around the area.

Disadvantages: The transport links that do receive financial help from the multi-nationals often only serve the direct routes and needs of that company, not the wider area as well.

Employment:

Advantages: They create jobs for the local population.

Disadvantages: Often the jobs are highly skilled and so the company brings in their own people to do them. Also, the technological nature of many of these companies means that there aren’t as many jobs as there might have been.

Growth poles:

Advantages: The new multi-national companies act as growth poles for other similar companies. They could encourage more companies to locate in that country once they see the benefits that it brings.

Disadvantages: Only a limited range of companies find that moving to a Developing World location is beneficial. They will only move there if it makes economic sense for the country. They do not consider the potential benefits to the host country.

Environment/Safety:

Advantages: Companies bring with them the technology and expertise to reduce harmful pollution and create a safe working environment.

Disadvantages: Many multi-national companies have very poor records on pollution and worker safety. They have been accused of trying to cut corners with both safety and pollution in order to keep costs down.