Cultural Influence of Multinational Companies in Developing Countries.

By Santosh Kumar

30 September, 2021

                                PC: Dean Foster(2018)

What is your origin?  Does culture really matter?  Is change inevitable?  What are we influenced with?

Those are the questions that always trigger in my mind when I see some of the popularly known brand names like Coca-Cola, McDonald, KFC, Nike. Are they the best foods or products in the world?  What happens if we do not  consume those brand or products?

My simple answer is NOTHING. Really nothing happens to us. Are there any alternatives? Yes there are many. Are there any better products than those "so called" popular brand. Yes, there are. 

So why people of developing countries like Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka have great passion for those brands?

It is because of Cultural Influence of western countries like Europe, America, Australia ect. We have the feeling that western culture, cuisine, fashion, and products are always best. Being a Nepalese citizen, I agree some of the facts like people in western countries are more civilized, educated, formal and honest. They have the vision, plan and procedures or system of accomplishing the assigned task. They are richer. They have good governance system. 

It is more irresistible fact that we as  developing countries need to follow those system and practices. but what about the culture and cuisine?  Do they provide best food? What they wear is always best?

As we all know that Geography or physical location is the determinant of cultures and cuisines, needs and demands. Each country has its own speciality. Food choice also differs along with the region and climate so as the fashion or clothing. Do you believe that Coca-Cola have no substitutes in developing countries? Can you really enjoy and replace your native dishes with McDonalds Burger and chips? Are not there any better sportswear than Nike in your countries? 

Yes, There are better products and brands in developing countries but they are not directly consumed by western people. This is the reason we always run blindfolded with western culture. We have the feeling that whatever westerner Do, Eat, Wear or consume are the best. This psychology always govern us to be the victim of the cultural domination of such Multinational companies who originated in the western world. 

This is the age of globalization. So there is not any so called western products or brands. Popularly known brand apple produces its products in china. The clothing companies like H&M, Zara sell clothes made in bangladesh and pakistan. So "Are we really consuming western products or its just the so called Brand name?"

I agree to the fact that in developing countries, there is not good governance culture. Those corrupt political leaders are the one who always misguided common illiterate people and have their monopoly in the government. But Are those countries really poor? No they are not . The countries like Nepal, bangladesh Srilanka are rich in Nature and  Natural resources. If they can properly utilize those resources, in 10 years time they can be richer as equal as western countries.