The events of September 2001 changed much for the United States as well as for the rest of the world. Although he specifically campaigned against nation building, President George W. Bush put the United States in the position of nation building first in Afghanistan, where it ousted the Taliban, and then in Iraq, where it ousted Saddam Hussein. The American presence in Iraq will continue for some time to come, with possible business opportunities arising from the rubble of the war. This research considers the challenge of conducting international business in general, and of building a Web site design and development business (Crescent Web Design) that includes post-war Iraq as a part of its business strategy in particular.
Multinational corporations are those companies which offer products or services in different countries throughout the world, adapting their products to the countries in which they are selling. Global companies are companies which operate with a high degree of consistency regardless of the country in which the operation occurs ("Practical," 1991). At multinational companies internal practices are also changed to reflect the environment of the various countries. The result is that multinational companies have higher relative costs associated with their international operations than their global counterparts.
Most of the major reconstruction projects in post-war Iraq will be coordinated by the Americans and awarded to American companies. The US Department of Commerce notes that since Saddam Hussein considered the Internet a threat to his rule and control, the Internet was not widely available under his regime ("Business Guide," 2003). Some Internet hubs existed, but its use was not widespread ("Iraq Government," 2000). However, Iraq has a literacy rate of 58 percent ("CIA World Factbook," 2003), and a large expatriate population, with the result that there is likely to be a drive toward establishing Internet access quickly in post-war Iraq ("A Look," 2003). Experienced Web designers with a background in Arabic and Arab culture are likely to be in short supply in post-war Iraq due to the lack of Internet presence prior to the war. A company that can supply such expertise may do well, particularly since such a company would be able to enjoy a business organization under Iraqi statute that non-Arab businesses cannot; this situation may change in the future, but currently, statutes prohibit non-Arab ownership of Iraqi businesses ("Business Guide," 2003).
In post-War Iraq, there is likely to be demand for Web sites that inform and persuade as various political groups struggle for position. Opposition groups are also likely to view the Internet as a way to reach supporters both inside and outside Iraq. For these groups, bilingual sites (Arabic and English) are likely to be desirable since they will be trying to influence opinion not only in Iraq, but in the global arena, as well. The Internet is used by political groups around the world who seek to persuade followers and potential followers of their objectives, and post-war Iraq will provide ample opportunity for this, as well.
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