Failing Globally

Failing Globally

SOC 101

Prof. Garelick

Failing Globally

In my paper, I will look at Wal-Mart, some other U. S. companies, and their ventures into overseas markets and their eventual failures. While each company discussed used great marketing plans, they did not work in the overseas market. I will try and breakdown and compare what they did wrong and what they could have done right to be successful.

Companies like Wal-Mart use their influence and wealth to control U.S. markets and this has worked because we live and die using dominant ideology (Schaefer, 2009, p. 68). However when you decide to venture into markets overseas you will find that what works at home is not necessary going to work in an another country. The arrogance of U.S. companies I feel are partly to blame on our government being one of the world’s superpower. The U.S. has been the world’s police for many years and its might has controlled the outcome of elections and wars so I feel some companies use this attitude when trying to open markets in other countries.

Our book calls this ethnocentrism or a tendency to assume our culture is the norm or superior to all others (Schaefer, 2009, p. 71). Looking at Wal-Mart this company has been very successful in the U.S. but even here, they have imposed their own set of values when doing business. They are a company that resist any type union activities in its store and in some cases have said to close stores that have been unionized (Bianco, 2006). Wal-Mart has open stores in many countries throughout the world but has been firm about running them the same way there U.S. stores operate. However, Wal-Mart is not alone in this type thinking many U.S. companies expand to other countries without looking or trying to understand the culture they are trying to do business with.

Looking at Japan is a very modern country when it comes to doing business and technology however, its beliefs and cultures are deep rooted. Many countries have tried to expand...