An enterprise operating in several countries but managed from one (home) country.

Generally, any company or group that derives a quarter of its revenue from operations outside of its home country is considered a multinational corporation. There are four categories of multinational corporations: (1) a multinational, decentralized corporation with strong home country presence, (2) a global, centralized corporation that acquires cost advantage through centralized production wherever cheaper resources are available, (3) an international company that builds on the parent corporation's technology or R&D, or (4) a transnational enterprise that combines the previous three approaches. According to UN data, some 35,000 companies have direct investment in foreign countries, and the largest 100 of them control about 40 percent of world trade.

Pertaining to the entire globe rather than a specific region or country. Often used interchangeably with the term international, with one exception being in regards to mutual funds. When dealing with mutual funds, a global fund pertains to the entire world, while an international fund deals with all countries except the United States. Also called worldwide

A commercial enterprise that operates substantial facilities, does business in more than one country and does not consider any particular country its national home. One of the significant advantages of a transnational company is that they are able to maintain a greater degree of responsiveness to the local markets where they maintain facilities.

We tend to read the following terms and think they refer to any company doing business in another country.

Multinational International Transnational Global Andrew Hines over at BNET has brief and clear definitions of each of these terms, Get your international business terms right. Each term is distinct and has a specific meaning which define the scope and degree of interaction with their operations outside of their home country.

International companies are importers and exporters, they have no investment outside of their home country. Multinational companies have investment in other countries, but do not have coordinated product offerings in each country. More focused on adapting their products and service to each individual local market. Global companies have invested and are present in many countries. They market their products through the use of the same coordinated image/brand in all markets. Generally one corporate office that is responsible for global strategy. Emphasis on volume, cost management and efficiency. Transnational companies are much more complex organizations. They have invested in foreign operations, have a central corporate facility but give decision-making, R&D and marketing powers to each individual foreign market. Andrewss advice is if in doubt about the right term to use, try the generic terminternational business.