Unit 3 - Global Economic Activity Flashcards
Multinational
A multinational company/enterprise (MNC/MNE) is one that operates in more than one country. It has a headquarters in one country and branches or production facilities located worldwide.
MNC - Example
Apple Inc. - Headquarters in San Francisco, CA. Manufacturing facilities in China
MNC - Reasons for locating
Access to resources - natural resources or cheap labour
Quality of resources - e.g. highly skilled labour
Proximity to market
English speaking (in the case of the UK)
Access to EU - now in jeopardy
Grants offered by governments
Transport links - ports/roads/rail/airports
MNC - Advantages to host country
Jobs are created - unemployment reduced Increased exports Benefits to related businesses/suppliers Increased tax revenue for government Reduced benefit payments May bring ideas and innovations that can be used by other firms
MNC - Disadvantages to host country
Negative impact on competing firms
External costs - pollution, traffic congestion etc
Repatriation of profits to home country
The MNC may leave
Cost of government incentives
MNC may only provide low paid “screwdriver” jobs
Senior positions may be brought in from home country
Exchange Rate
The value of one currency in terms of another
e.g. £1 = $1.26
Exchange Rates - Appreciation
An increase in the value of a currency
e.g. £1 = $1.26 becomes £1 = $1.50
Exchange Rates - Depreciation
A decrease in the value of a currency
e.g. £1 = $1.50 becomes £1 = $1.26
Determinants of Exchange Rates
FOREX Market : Factors affecting supply and demand UK unemployment FTSE Market Trends Economic Growth Speculation Interest Rates
Appreciation Impacts - Individuals
Stronger £1 buys you more foreign currency
Increases a UK citizen’s purchasing power abroad
Cheaper to import goods from abroad
Cheaper to go abroad on holiday
Appreciation Impacts - Firms
If the firm exports, then demand for exports will fall
If the firm imports raw materials and components for production, then it is cheaper - and this represents a fall in the costs of production
Appreciation Impacts - Economy
Imports will increase - meaning a worsening of the current account deficit
Exporters will lay off workers
Importers can reduce prices so inflation may fall
Depreciation Impacts - Individuals
Weaker £1 buys you less foreign currency
Decreases a UK citizen’s purchasing power abroad
Dearer to import goods from abroad
Dearer to go abroad on holiday
Depreciation Impacts - Firms
If the firm exports, then demand for exports will rise
If the firm imports raw materials and components for production, then it is dearer - and this represents a rise in the costs of production
Depreciation Impacts - Economy
Exports will increase - meaning a reduction of the current account deficit (or a surplus)
Importers may lay off worker due to an increase in the costs of production
Inflation may rise because importers increase prices to protect their profit margins
Features of the EU - Single Market
There are no trade barriers between the 27 member countries
27 after Brexit
Features of the EU - Shengen
Workers can move freely to work in other EU countries. Also there is free movement of capital
Features of the EU - Common External Tariff
All goods imported to any country in the EU (from outside) face the same tariff