Articles
Doing business in different cultural and legal environments
No two nations are alike, cultural and legal systems differentiate nations from each other and grant them their individuality. Multinational corporations (MNCs) who seek to enter new markets face a harrowing task of adapting their strategies, policies, and structure to meet the needs and expectations of the local environment. In some ways, the differences between cultures legal systems, and environmental conventions can prove beneficial in driving growth and innovation among MNCs. The closer integration of societies through globalization has helped to merge legal systems in the European and Caribbean regions to a certain extent. However, differences still exist between European and Caribbean Community (CARICOM) nations despite their close economic and legal integration.
Throughout history, many great empires have come and gone; however, the impact they have invariably left on societies across the globe are still evident today. China is undergoing a metamorphic change from an isolationist culture, into a major global player (Payne, 2013). The impact of China’s launch into globalization is evident in almost every nation on earth. The communities that Chinese immigrants create wherever they go helps to fuel China’s rise as a global superpower by challenging perception and influencing societies (Collins, 2015). The cultural impacts of expanding superpower nations like China are inextricably linked to the political force driving this rapid growth. In empires past, the British sought expansion to increase their global influence, wealth, and power through subjugation by force (McDonald, 2007). China today is following a similar path of forceful subjugation; however, the political leaders of China seek to do so through flexing economic power and influence instead of military might, for the time being (Chen, 2014).