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Trade and globalisationReasons for globalisation

Global citizens rely on a network of communications between countries. Declining and emerging economies can have a positive and negative impact. Fair trade can protect employees and the environment.

Part of GeographyGlobal issues

Reasons for globalisation

Reasons for

Technological advances have dramatically improved transport allowing raw materials, goods and people to travel much more quickly. allow greater quantities of goods and raw materials to be moved and carried on large .

The of goods has led to . This means that the cost per item can be reduced when operating on a larger scale in order to generate bigger .

Organisations like the promote free trade between countries, which helps to remove barriers between countries.

The Internet and mobile technology has allowed the world to become better connected and less isolated 鈥 people around the world can communicate instantly.

Countries like India, China and Brazil have much lower labour costs and high skill levels. Labour intensive such as clothing manufacture, can take advantage of cheaper labour costs and reduced in developing countries.

Multi-national corporations have expanded into new markets and places for production in order to remain profitable. Companies like IKEA are able to locate outside their home country to access new markets for their goods and take advantage of local suppliers of materials.

Multi-national corporations

Shell petrol station in the UK
Figure caption,
Shell petrol station in the UK

Globalisation has resulted in many companies setting up or buying operations in other countries. When a invests in a country, perhaps by building a factory or a shop, this is called .

Companies that operate in several countries are called multinational corporations (MNCs) or . The US fast-food chain McDonald's is a large MNC - as of 2022 it has over 38,000 restaurants in over 100 countries.

Examples of multi-national corporations

McDonald's restaurant in Mumbai, India
Figure caption,
McDonald's restaurant in Mumbai, India

The majority of MNCs come from such as the USA and UK. Many multinational corporations in other developed countries.

For example, the American car company Ford makes large numbers of cars in the UK. However MNCs also invest in developing countries - for example, the British DIY chain B&Q now has stores in China.

Factors attracting MNCs to a country may include:

  • cheap raw materials
  • cheap labour supply
  • good transport
  • access to markets where the are sold
  • friendly

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