Breaking Borders, Building Bridges: Multinational Enterprise Dynamics

Word Count: 1,112

As countries reevaluate their economic strategies and policies for the post-

pandemic period, multinational enterprises (MNEs) stand at the forefront of global

business transactions, playing an active role in heightening globalization. By definition,

globalization is a progressive phenomenon distinguished by its connectedness,

interdependence, individuals, and businesses among nations, including the increment in

the flows of goods, services, capital, people, and ideas through the incorporation of

economic, political, social, and cultural techniques across borders (Takefman, 2023). In

line with establishing close ties among nations, MNEs function as channels for capital

flows, technology transfer, and knowledge management and dissemination across

borders (Dunning & Lundan, 2008). Thus, this essay focuses on bringing more attention

towards the role, impact, and significance of MNEs as a prime driver of globalization. In

a world that requires strong ties to thrive, MNEs have paved the way for interconnecting

and establishing relationships with others.

Upon reading the material, one of the few things I have garnered insights that

centers on the role, ability, and impact of MNEs, alongside being identified as key

players in globalization. Primarily, MNEs' ability to facilitate the diffusion of knowledge

has contributed to enhancing the local capabilities and fostering innovative ecosystems

in host countries. Even in leading the post-pandemic world, this was made possible

through the efficient use of technology, which served as an essential "economic

stabilizer," according to Huang et al. (2021). In addition to my second point, resiliency is

not a dreadful thing when taken from the perspective of the economic world. Though it
could be a toxic trait among individuals, the adaptive resilience of MNEs in the face of

crisis, specifically during the global pandemic, allowed them not only to bounce back but

to bounce forward. This characteristic enabled them to position themselves as influential

in reinvigorating diverse partnerships, wide-ranging trade, and investment post-

pandemic. Last among my significant learnings, though it might be a common or quite a

simple take, the reading material illustrates the overall importance of maintaining

balance or seeking the optimum middle ground. In the context of the operations of

MNEs, balance is highly significant for attaining and sustaining its role. It is a continuous

process of adaptation and alignment. Thus, achieving such a goal allows them to

diversify their operations, reduce risk, enhance resilience, promote ethical standards,

and meet demands while benefiting from other economies from the perspective of

globalization.

Although the reading material gifted me with great perception, some parts seem

hard to grasp, given that the topic is centered on multinational transactions—something

I only heard about but was not exposed to. To begin, one thing I find hard to understand

is the measurement of globalization, especially how someone could tell that a particular

country has not reached the intensity or level of globalization measured based on

MNEs. Despite the awareness of MNEs' role in driving globalization, the method used to

quantify this impact was not evident. Additionally, the distinction between marginal and

fundamental changes remains vague to me. Being deemed different from one another, I

would like to know how they interact and the possibility of them overlapping with each

other to better understand their position in the globalization process. The pandemic was

deemed by Contractor (2021) as an accelerator of changes that are already bound to

occur instead of it being a force that would carry out new patterns globally. Hence, for

my last point, that part came off as unclear to me, considering that these changes were

already on their way, there were no clear indications that development such as but not

limited to technological trends, digital transformation, flexibility in work engagements,

and heightened connectivity to other countries was pushed earlier or came about

sooner only because of the pandemic.

Considering the wide range of topics the paper could tackle, circling around

globalization, it gave me lots of different impressions and preconceptions. To start,

reading the title that suggests that the world needs more globalization gave me the

notion that the pandemic caused a massive halt in different operations toward

globalization. That evokes a thought that globalization's progress is stagnant, or rather

slow, for them to need a little push. Though such a claim may be realistic, the reading

material argues that the pandemic paved the way for various advancements, especially

from MNEs' point of view. Furthermore, I expected the article to give a fair share of

examples of the economy's rise and fall during the pandemic until it reached a certain

point of stability. Third, talking about globalization in its post-pandemic phase prompts

me to expect step-by-step elaborate ways how various countries can be more

globalized given the changes brought about by the pandemic. Looking at it, there should

be a transparent guide to achieve a requirement, which is more globalization.

Contractor's take on globalization in the post-pandemic decade is undoubtedly

elaborate. However, it is also undeniable that a single reading material could not cater

to all perspectives. As a result, I have several questions upon reviewing the

researcher's words. As the article argues for the need for even more globalization in the
future, what indicator could tell that in the following years, the world has already

reached that need the past asked for? Moreover, I am curious to know if the claim that

the changes induced by heightened nationalism and protectionism are marginal rather

than fundamental (Contractor, 2021), meaning expected to be minor in nature, is a

permanent thing even in the future? Even though various points and arguments were

mostly clear, I wonder if there will be a certain point at which these factors would cause

a significant change to globalization's existing structure. Finally, what are some applied

examples of alternate cross-border strategies and emerging technologies? Hence, I

would also like to know if these strategies are inclusive or applicable to all nations

striving for globalization.

Exploring the role of MNEs, several insights emerge alongside questions, proving

the efficiency between MNEs' convenient relationship to the globalization narrative.

Throughout the pandemic, it is no doubt that MNEs highlighted their significance in the

economy through their adaptive ways to stabilize their standing despite changes. By

swiftly recalibrating their strategies, leveraging technology to maintain global

connections, and embracing innovative practices, MNEs made themselves formidable

agents in shaping the trajectory of globalization that has been constantly evolving and

adapting even before the onset of the pandemic. MNEs' intricate interplay with

globalization dynamics offers an avenue for dialogue, exploration, and adaptation—a

dynamic journey that transcends boundaries and constant changes. Hence, without the

actions of MNEs, different nations would be disoriented from each other, leading to

slow-paced progress toward globalization. In a world that continues to evolve, with

challenges and opportunities unfolding, MNEs remain exceptional in shaping

globalization sketch.