As this is being written, McDonald's is in 105 countries. The company continues to grow abroad at a time when it is struggling to grow in the domestic market. McDonald's is an excellent example of a company selecting an international strategy when faced with a saturated domestic market. As you read the rest of Chapter 10, take time to be clear on the differences in strategic approaches that companies can take. Also note the causes for the differences.
Strategic alliances can be a part of any strategy.
The section on strategic alliances explains the pitfalls of working with partners. Through your local chamber of commerce, locate a local company engaged in international activity. Visit with someone at this company and ask him or her to describe the process the company used to decide what strategy they would employ. The next time you visit a department store identify some products and see where they were made. Try to identify the company's strategy.