Going Global: What’s the Difference Between Internationalization and Globalization

Despite the global pandemic and looming recession, world trade volume is expected to grow by 1% in 2023.

Want to tap into the surging demand for goods by breaking into international markets? Make sure to understand the difference between internationalization and globalization.

In this article, you will learn what internationalization and globalization are and how both can benefit your business.

Pro tip: Before entering global markets, localize your product and marketing materials to make them accessible to new audiences. To establish an effective localization process, use professional translation management software. Learn more here.

Globalization vs. Internationalization: 3 Main Differences

The difference between internationalization and globalization is that one refers to the global expansion of individual companies, while the other means the global expansion of entire economies.

The internationalization of businesses has driven the global economy into a state of large-scale globalization. Put simply, internationalization is a subset of globalization.

To better understand globalization vs. internationalization, let’s see how they differ along three key dimensions: goals, scope, and players.

Goals

Globalization focuses on connecting the economic systems of different countries by removing trade barriers. This allows a seamless flow of resources, goods, people, information, and communication technology throughout the world economy.

Internationalization is concerned with the economic growth of an individual business. Internalization requires the recreation of the brand identity and the embrace of local traditions to win over customers.

Scope

Globalization has a far-reaching scope covering multiple national economies. Any globalization campaign typically impacts the entire national and global economy.

Internationalization has a narrower scope because it impacts a single company and its target audience.

Players

A globalization strategy involves governments, multinational companies, international organizations, and global consumers. Governments collaborate extensively to establish goals and outcomes of the globalization process.

Internationalization mainly happens in the private sector and involves individual businesses. Governments play a minor role in creating regulations for international market trade.

What is Internationalization?

Internationalization refers to modifying your products and services to resonate with buyers in foreign markets. Internationalization involves localizing your content, redesigning your website and product, and revamping your messaging to position your brand in the global market.

3 Benefits of Internationalization

An internationalization strategy can benefit companies in many ways, such as:

• Acquiring new customers and building brand awareness in different countries

• Boosting the company’s competitiveness internationally and transitioning to a global brand

• Improving investment and revenue opportunities with access to tax relief norms, cheaper talent, and more

To realize these benefits, companies must take care of trade barriers and prepare a bulletproof internationalization strategy.

Two examples of internationalization

Here are a few examples of popular brands that have expanded to the international market:

McDonald’s internationalization strategy

McDonald’s is a classic example of internationalization. The fast food chain expanded across many countries using a balanced pattern of standardization and global localization.

Even though McDonald’s retained its brand identity and operating frameworks, it underwent a major change to support its internationalization efforts.

Specifically, McDonald’s localized its menus to appeal to every market’s customer base. The company introduced the special Teriyaki Burger in Japan and the McLobster in Canada to become a fan favorite among local buyers. Thus, McDonald’s combined a successful localization strategy with customized marketing campaigns to overcome cultural differences.

Learn the difference between customization and localization here.

Source: IndexMundi

Toyota’s internationalization strategy

Toyota has been one of the biggest automobile brands globally—thanks to its rapid and large-scale internationalization efforts in the 1960s and ‘70s. The automotive giant acquired local production centers to launch itself in several regional markets.

What makes Toyota a brilliant case study of internationalization is its efforts in building relationships with local partners, like General Motors in the US. The manufacturer worked rigorously with local dealers and suppliers to build a strong presence in different national markets.

Source: Toyota

Tactics for Internationalization

Here are three main tactics for internationalizing your business:

• Plan ahead: Planning can make or break your internationalization efforts. Prepare a solid groundwork for your strategy by researching the country’s legal framework, architectural requirements, and other nuances before strategy implementation.

• Get strategic support: Go beyond your team to collaborate with more experienced individuals for building an airtight internationalization strategy. Hire local consultants from your target market to draw out a fail-proof roadmap for accomplishing your goals.

• Choose a localization tool: Localization is the most important piece of the puzzle for an internationalization campaign. Work with a fully-integrated localization tool like Centus to manage all the moving parts in your strategy without breaking a sweat.

What is globalization?

Globalization refers to merging the economic process of different nations to enable the exchange of ideas and resources. Globalization promotes the idea of free international trade and brings multiple nations together to mutually benefit developed, developing, and underdeveloped countries.

Think of globalization as the convergence of different countries. Globalization builds an integrated system for economic, social, and political change.

3 Benefits of Globalization

Here are the main benefits of globalization for every country:

• Globalization facilitates the removal of trade barriers, thereby promoting international commerce

• Unrestricted flow of goods, people, and cultural values to promote lucrative and free trade

• Faster spread of opportunities and economic growth among developing and less developed countries

Companies benefit from globalization by having broader recruitment opportunities, savings cots, and mitigating risks.

Two examples of globalization

Here are two examples of how globalization works:

Automobile manufacturing in a globalized setting

The automobile manufacturing sector presents a great example of globalization.

Most automobile brands conduct R&D in their home country, like Germany for Volkswagen or Japan for Toyota. However, automobile parts are manufactured in other countries with cheaper labor and materials, like Mexico or India. Then, the parts are assembled in different locations to be sold in multiple countries across the world.

This manufacturing and supply chain framework interconnects multiple economies creating an integrated economic system.

Multinational companies in a globalized setting

Multinational corporations operating satellite offices in many countries is another example of how globalization works. For example, a multinational corporation can have its headquarters in the US with multiple satellite branches across Europe and Asia. Its workforce, resources, and technology are divided between multiple nations, benefitting each country and bringing them together on a global scale.

Tactics for Globalization

Here are three key tactics that can be used to implement a globalization strategy:

• Digitalization: Supply chain management is one of the most critical factors behind the success of globalization. Digitizing these workflows can enable smarter decision-making based on strategic data and produce the desired ROI.

• Localization: Expanding operations in the local market is another way to reduce the risks associated with cultural barriers and implement globalization effectively. A localization suite should be used to streamline the localization process.

• Licensing and franchising: Businesses can embrace globalization by licensing or franchising their services. This tactic allows establishing a global presence with minimal employee supervision, reduced financial risk, and increased brand awareness.

Wrapping Up

Internationalization and globalization are different but interrelated concepts. Both processes are related to trade and commerce geared toward international audiences. However, internationalization can be considered a subset of globalization since it's narrower in scope.

Pro tip: Want to enter global markets? Make sure your international market entry is preceded by localization to boost its effectiveness. Go here to learn how to manage localization seamlessly.

FAQs

Here are all the questions we couldn’t answer in this article:

What is the difference between globalization and internationalization?

The globalization vs internationalization distinction lies along three dimensions:

• Goals: Globalization fulfills the integration of national economies and creation of the global market, while internationalization aims for a business's global expansion

• Scope: Globalization has a broad scope in the global economy, while internationalization has a smaller scope concerning only individual companies

• Players: Globalization involves governments, while internationalization involves private companies

Which comes first: globalization or internationalization?

Globalization comes before internationalization because it’s necessary to facilitate expansion of global economies before individual companies can engage in global trade. Internationalization is a subset of globalization because companies expanding at the international scale advance the mission of free trade.

What are the challenges of globalization and internationalization?

Some of the biggest challenges to globalization and internationalization include:

• Understanding local buyer preferences

• Overcoming barriers between different cultures

• Correctly translating multiple languages

• Navigating convoluted legal frameworks

• Paying tariffs and export fees

• Managing economic and social changes

What is an example of internationalization?

A global fast-food restaurant chain is an example of internationalization. Spanning dozens of countries across the globe, fast-food chains demonstrate how to engage in international trade while retaining brand identity.

What is an example of globalization?

A company sourcing parts from one country, manufacturing a product in other countries, and distributing it globally is an example of globalization. Another example of globalization is the widespread adoption of and submission to international law.