multinationale

Multinationale is a term used in several languages, notably French, to describe a company or corporation that operates in more than one country. In English, the equivalent term is multinational or multinational corporation (MNC). A multinationale typically has a parent company headquartered in one country and maintains subsidiaries, affiliates, or joint ventures in others. These organizations coordinate production, marketing, and management across borders while often allowing some degree of local autonomy in foreign markets.

Typical structures include cross-border ownership, regional offices, and global or regional supply chains. They move capital, technology, and managerial know‑how among countries, and strategic decisions are usually centralized in the parent firm with implementation delegated to local units. Multinationale operations span manufacturing, natural resources, services, and digital platforms, and they seek advantages such as economies of scale, access to new markets, and diversification of risk through geographic reach.

Economic and policy effects: Multinational enterprises influence host economies by creating jobs, facilitating technology transfer, and contributing tax revenue, while also raising concerns about market power, competition, and tax planning. Governments regulate them through foreign direct investment rules, competition law, labor and environmental standards, and tax regimes. Debates around multinationals focus on corporate social responsibility, sustainability, and the balance between global integration and local autonomy. The growth of globalization since the mid-20th century has expanded their role in world trade and investment.