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Multinational Financial Management : An Overview

After studying this chapter, you should be able to: > Identify the main goal of the MNC and potential conflicts with that goal > Describe the key theories that justify international business > Explain the common methods used to conduct international business

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Goal of the MNC

The commonly accepted goal of an MNC is to maximize shareholder wealth. Developing a goal is necessary because all decisions should contribute to its accomplishment. Thus, if the objective were to maximize earnings in the near future, rather than to maximize shareholder wealth, the firms policies would be different.

Conflicts with the MNC Goal It has often been argued that managers of a firm may make decisions that conflict with the firms goal to maximize shareholder wealth. For example, a decision to establish a subsidiary in one location for the appeal. A conflict of goals can always exist this conflict is referred to as the agency problem

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Constraints Interfering with the MNC's Goal

When financial managers of MNCs attempt to maximize their firm's value, they are confronted with various constraints that can be classified as environmental, regulatory, or ethical in nature

Environmental constraints : Each country enforces its own environmental constraints. Some countries may enforce more of these restrictions on a subsidiary whose parent is based in a different country. Building codes, disposal of production, waste materials, and pollution controls are examples of restrictions that force subsidiaries to incur additional costs. Many European countries have recently imposed rougher antipollution laws as a result of severe pollution problems.

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Regulatory constraints : Each country also enforces its own regulatory constraints pertaining to taxes, currency convertibility rules, earnings remittance restrictions, and other regulations that can affect cash flows of a subsidiary established there.

Ethical Constraints : There is no consensus standard of business conduct that applies to all countries. A business practice that is perceived unethical in one country may be totally ethical in another. Example : Bribes, Sexual products in Arab countries.

Theories of International Business The commonly held theories as to why firms become motivated to expand their business internationally are (1) the theory of comparative advantage, (2) the imperfect markets theory, and (3) the product cycle theory. The three theories overlap to a degree and can complement each other in developing a rationale for the evolution of international business.

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Theory of Comparative Advantage

Multinational business has generally increased over time. Part of this growth is due to the heightened realization that specialization by countries can increase production efficiency. Some countries, such as Japan and the United States, have a technology advantage, while other countries, such as Jamaica, Mexico, and South Africa, have an advantage in the cost of basic labor. Since these advantages cannot he easily transported, countries tend to use their advantages to specialize in the production of goods that can be produced with relative efficiency. This explains why countries such as Japan and the United States are large producers of computer components, while countries such as Jamaica and Mexico are large producers of agricultural and handmade goods. Specialization in some products may result in no production of other products, so that trade between countries is essential. This is the argument made by the classical theory of comparative advantage. Comparative advantages allow firms to penetrate foreign markets.

Imperfect Markets Theory Countries differ with respect to resources available for the production of goods - Yet, even with such comparative advantages, the volume of international goods would be limited if all resources could be easily transferred among countries. If markets were perfect, factors of production would be freely transferable and mobile. The unrestricted mobility of factors would create equality in costs and would remove the comparative advantage. However, the real world suffers from imperfect market conditions where factors of production are somewhat immobile. There are costs and often restrictions related to the transfer of Labor and other resources used for production.

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Product Cycle Theory

The product cycle theory is a theory made of few steps that follow each other: 1_ Firm creates to product to accommodate local demand 2_ Firm exports product to accommodate foreign demand 3_ Firm establishes foreign subsidiary to establish presence in foreign country to minimize cost 4a_ Firm differentiates product from competitors and/or expands product line in foreign country. 4b_ Firm's Foreign business declines as its competitive advantages are eliminated

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS METHODS

Firms use several methods to conduct international business. The most common methods are these: International trade Licensing Franchising Point Ventures Acquisitions of existing operations Establishing new foreign subsidiaries

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International Trade International trade is a relatively conservative approach that can be used by firms to penetrate markets (by exporting) or to obtain supplies at a low cost (importing). This approach entails minimal risk because the firm does not place of its capital at risk. If the firm experiences a decline in its exporting or importing it can normally reduce or discontinue this part of its business at a low cost. Licensing Licensing obligates a firm to provide its technology (copyrights, patents, trademarks, or trade names in exchange for fees or some other specified benefits. A good point about Licensing is that no exporting and transferring costs are required but as a disadvantage, the company can not assure quality control.

Franchising Franchising obligates a firm to provide a specialized sales or service strategy, support assistance, and possibly an initial investment in the franchise in exchange for periodic fees Joint venture A joint venture is a venture that is operated by two or more firms. Example Fuji & Xerox.

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Acquisitions of Existing Operations Firms frequently acquire other firms in foreign countries as a means of penetrating foreign markets. For example, SCB acquired American Express Disadvantage : Very high capital needed. Establishing New Foreign Subsidiaries Firms can also penetrate foreign markets by establishing new operation subsidiaries to produce and sell their products. Like a foreign acquisition, this process requires a large investment.