Multinational Corporation Management: The Global Opportunities to Work at Microsoft - Research Paper Example

Introduction Globalization has offered wide arrays of opportunities to organizations and people to highlight their potential in the competitive business environment. The research aims at highlighting the global opportunities existing in different parts of the world by showcasing the impact on the personal and professional life. Microsoft is considered as one of the highly admired and desired organizations to work for in any part of the world. It has got presence in India as well as in Philippines. The most interesting part is difference in political, economic and social environment of these countries. The understanding over political, social and business environment of these countries would be highlighted after assessing overall scope of personal and professional development (Salter, Frank, 2007) MNC Subsidiaries Microsoft is one of the highly admired and trusted organizations across the world with great presence in different parts of the world (Blaxill, Mark, Ralph, 2009). In this particular section, the growth and development of Microsoft would be analyzed in Philippines and India along with assessing the impact of political, economic and social environment on individuals working for the organization. Microsoft Philippines is a wholly owned subsidiary of the US based Microsoft Corporation. The organization is engaged in developing and designing new software along with a mission of empowering millions of lives through effective software. Microsoft Philippines aims at strengthening the local and national software market. It conducts business with a network of more than 1500 partners and resellers along with employing more than 10,000 people. It also employs more than 3000 people on direct payroll of the company. The subsidiary is located in Makati City that is one of the sixteen cities of Metro Manila. Makati city is the financial center of Philippines and also known as commercial, economic and financial hubs in Asia. The city map can be traced at http://www.maplandia.com/philippines/ncr/manila/makati/ On the other hand, Microsoft has also great presence in India. It is engaged in sales and marketing of Microsoft’s software products in India. Moreover, it has got thirteen offices across the country that makes its presence all the more visible. Microsoft employs more than 3500 employees in different part of India engaged in sales and marketing of products and services developed by the organization. It needs to be mentioned that all the major cities of India have Microsoft under their belt that makes the economy all the more vibrant and dynamic. The city map can be traced at http://www.mapsofindia.com/bangalore/ Considering a job opportunity with Microsoft, it needs to mention that Philippines have emerged as one of the greatest places to work for individuals having great software expertise. Microsoft India offers sales and marketing opportunity that are suitable for individuals having general background. Being a software engineer, Philippines have more options to offer in terms of better job prospects in every sense but one needs to evaluate like social, political and economic factors in order to come up with a decision. Political and Economic Factors offering Opportunities and Threats The political and economic environment of Philippines is quite favorable for positive growth but the country still has not achieved its total economic potential. The service sector of the country has been contributing in the economic success with great technological advances favoring the growth. However, poverty, HIVand sanitation problems have been affecting the overall image of the country. There is no denying that unemployment is a major issue but the young population is equipped with a range of expertise and knowledge embedded with fluency in English that opens a number of options for them in the short as well as in the long run. One can assume that the political and economic factors of the country are not encouraging enough to take a job but considering its recent growth and development especially in technological and service sector, one needs to rethink, in case of any doubt. The political and economic environment of India can be considered on the same line with unemployment and poverty posing as a serious threat for the growth and development of the country. India is highly dependent on its service and agriculture sector that comprises of half of the contribution in the total GDP. India is considered as one of highest growing economies in the world with great potential to be the outsourcing capital of the world. Most of the foreign organizations have their subsidiaries in India that highlights the position of the country. However, India lacks in competitiveness when compared to Philippines and moreover, the number of English speaking individuals are more in Philippines compared to India because of the cultural values and education pattern (Jayapalan, 2002). There is no denying that poverty and unemployment remains two of the biggest threat for the nation and for individuals, language, weather and food can be considered as a challenge to cope up with in the short as well as in the long run (Brown, Judith, 1994) Implications on the Career Development Both India and Philippines offer a range of opportunities to local and foreign individuals along with some serious challenges. In terms of career development, Philippines seem to have an edge over India considering the overall political and economic environment for an American. The most important thing in any job is the feeling of contentment and attachment that comes from the resemblance to the environment. There is a huge difference between the culture and environment of the US and India but there is not much difference between the culture of the US and Philippines (Trimmer, Warnock, 1992). One needs to understand that poverty and unemployment are global issues present in every country that has nothing to do with an individual’s ability to contribute in the success of the organization. The political and economic environment of both the nations has been showing encouraging signs. Living Conditions in the Cities It needs to be understood that living conditions of cities around the world are dependent on a number of factors with weather, infrastructure and food playing an important role in it. Microsoft India’s Bangalore office is located in Domlur that is known for its connectivity to roads and other means. The old airport was so near that people used to walk from the airport to reach their offices. However, with globalization and huge changes in infrastructure, Domlur has emerges as one of the viable options when it comes to reaching different parts of the city. The great connectivity and transportation facilities allow commuters to save time along with making proper utilization of it. Moreover, Bangalore enjoys stupendous weather that is always a pleasing sight for a foreign country national. In terms of residences, Domlur offers a number of options that can be considered as quite feasible for someone working for Microsoft. The road connectivity makes commuting an easy task often less time consuming. It can surely be considered as a positive aspect of living in a city that is known as the technological hub of the country (Dolan, Ronald, 1991) Makati City features a tropical monsoon climate that means that weather is good enough to survive with a tinge of humidity that can irritate individuals belonging to a nation where cold climate soothes the senses. The city is well connected with a number of lavish shopping malls covering the whole area along with few commercial centers. A number of eating joints along with a lively environment is a plus point for the kind of location Makati city enjoys (Collymore, 2003). It is often considered as a favorite place to hang out for locals and foreigners with a number of tourists sipping a cup of latte and shopping adjacently to the city mall. Microsoft’s office is very near to Ayala Avenue and Ayala Center, two of the most attractive shopping malls in the country. In terms of housing and residences, many middle class Makati residents live in Salcedo village that is very near to the Microsoft office. It is also well connected with the road transport that makes commuting easy and affordable. There is no denying that the weather of Bangalore (India) suits people of different countries because of less humidity and heat. The weather is nice and pleasing that attracts foreign people to settle in the city. A number of expatriates have been working in the city along with hanging around with people of same or different nations. The posh localities can be seen with foreign tourists thronging the happening places and joints. One can easily connect to the people of different culture and can be considered as a positive sign for an individual coming from a different country. It needs to be mentioned that Bangalore is the hub for a number of multinational organizations and most of them are headquartered in the US. This means that it is easy to find and connect to the people from the same country. Along with this, a number of foreign citizens are there to make things easy for new expatriates. On the other hand, Makati City is considered as one of the most happening cities in Manila, Philippines with great places and weather to welcome tourists from different parts of the world. There is no denying that Makita City is considered as the potential outsourcing capital of the world because of the availability of cheap sources and resources. The office of Microsoft is located right in the center of the city offering a clear sight of beautiful commercial places and shopping malls. It is often assumed as one of the most beautiful commercial spaces available in the country. Like India, the outsourcing business is the latest craze in the country attracting organizations from different parts of the world. The presence of a number of organizations headquartered in the US makes it ideal for someone coming from the US to have a feel of his country in a different country. Moreover, Philippines is strongly attracted by the culture of the US that makes it an ideal place of stay for the US citizens. The presence of shopping malls, eating joints and hotels embedded with the US culture and English speaking people make it an ideal destination for the US citizens. There is a little to choose between the two nations in terms of weather, entertainment activities and sense of belongingness but Philippines surely has a better edge over India Self Analysis It becomes very important to assess all kinds of pros and cons before taking a decision that may affect the personal and professional life. Being an American and living there whole my life, it is very difficult to imaging life outside of the country because of a number of reasons. The kind of climate, food and people, I have enjoyed all my life would not be there in any other country. More importantly, having a girlfriend willing to relocate raises too many concerns over choosing the right country (Thompson, William, Hickey, 2005) Cross Culture Difference with India India is considered as the land of oldest civilization with great culture and people. The country often amazes me in terms of people, food and climate. However, Indians are considered as conservative and deeply attached to their culture that does not allow western culture to reflect in their generations (Bhalla, Prem, 2003). There is a huge cultural difference between the US and India (Marsden, George, 2005). Some of the pros include: Oldest civilization with an appealing history Hospitable people Good weather conditions in Bangalore Great connectivity and infrastructure Some of the cons include: Huge cultural differences in terms of language, food and notions Spicy food in the South India Language Barrier Cross Culture Differences with Philippines Philippines is known as an emerging country full of potentials and opportunities especially in the technological sector. After assessing the culture of Philippines, I was quite amazed to perceive that the country is in line with the US in terms of culture and activities. Most people in the Philippines are comfortable with the English language and moreover, a number of students from different parts of the world have been studying in the country that also offers an opportunity to my girlfriend to continue her studies. Some of the pros include: Great similarity in the culture More number of English speaking people Boom in the technological sector Good number of expatriates in and around the city Good amount of options in terms of food and entertainment Some of the cons include: The connectivity with other parts of the city can be an issue Too much of competitions from the locals and expatriates Tropical weather may be an issue The city is yet to achieve a cult status in any category or sector Often under rated in terms of sources and resources I personally believe that living in India would be a challenge as the country does not suits the mindset of an American willing to live a libertarian life based on American culture. Moreover, language is a big barrier and in the recent run, the country has been in the limelight for corruption and social movements. On the other hand, Philippines does not have a stable economy but offers wide arrays of opportunities to live a natural and desired life to a foreigner. The number of English speaking people is much more than India and along with a culture based on the culture of the US. The prospects of living a free life embedded with regular city benefits can be considered as a reason behind favoring Philippines over India. Moreover, an individual is happy where there are some sort of personal and professional similarities that can be matched and evaluated with the home country (Russon, John, 2003) Conclusion It is pretty hard to choose between the two nations in terms of better job prospects and personal life. However, after assessing the social, economic and political environment of both the nations, it looks feasible to opt for Microsoft Philippines. There are a number of reasons behind this choice and similarities with the US culture top the chart. Some other reasons behind this choice include: Better job prospects for software developers Growing image of Philippines as one of the emerging nations for the outsourcing Great similarities with the US culture Better infrastructure especially in Manila City A large number of English speaking people Wide arrays of eating options Growing markets and sectors Good number of expatriates in the country I would also like to mention that being software developed did not allow me to think twice before choosing Philippines. The country has immense opportunities that can be explored by living in the central part of the country often considered as the commercial hub of the nation. This would further help in exploring my professional career in the present as well as in the future. References Dolan, Ronald E. "Relations with Asian Neighbors". A Country Study.Philippines.(1991) Print Brown, Judith M, Modern India: The Origins of an Asian Democracy, Oxford and New York. Oxford University Press (1994). Print Thompson, William; Joseph Hickey . Society in Focus. Boston, MA: Pearson. (2005) Marsden, George. Religion and American Culture. Orlando: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, (1990) pp.45-46. Yvette Collymore "Rapid Population Growth, Crowded Cities Present Challenges in the Philippines". Population Reference Bureau. Retrieved 2007-08-14. (2003) Bhalla, Prem.Hindu Rites, Rituals, Customs & Traditions. Pustak Mahal. (2003) Jayapalan, N Economic History of India. Atlantic Publishers & Distributors (2002) Joseph Trimmer and Tilly Warnock, Understanding Others: Cultural and Cross-Cultural Studies and the Teaching of Literature Urbana, IL: National Council of Teachers of English, 1992. Blaxill, Mark; Eckardt, Ralph. The Invisible Edge: Taking Your Strategy to the Next Level Using Intellectual Property. Portfolio Hardcover. (2009). Retrieved August 20, 2011 Russon, John. Human Experience. Albany: State University of New York Press, 2003. Salter, Frank, On Genetic Interests: Family, Ethnicity, and Humanity in an Age of Mass Migration, 2007 Read More