Factors influencing the international advertising practices of multinational companies

Abstract

Reports on a study which investigated why multinational companies standardize the advertising executions deployed throughout the various national markets in which they operate. Economies of scale and belief in international consumer and market convergence were found to be of less influence than had been indicated in prior studies. Rather the indications were that policy on international advertising is influenced by a broad range of organizational and strategic issues, particularly a perceived need for increased central control over the marketing policies of the national subsidiaries. In some instances it could be argued that standardization is a consequence, or even a means of, increased central control, rather than resulting from detailed analysis of the specific costs and benefits of standardization. Also finds that there are many forms of standardization and the motives of the sampled companies concerned varied to some extent, according to the form and degree of standardization practised.

Citation

Harris, G. (1996), "Factors influencing the international advertising practices of multinational companies", Management Decision, Vol. 34 No. 6, pp. 5-11. https://doi.org/10.1108/00251749610121443