International contractors (INC) are any firms that do international business, ranging from exporters and importers, to franchisers, management contractors, and foreign direct investors. The term international contractor covers large firms that have been called multinational enterprises and smaller firms with fewer overseas commitments that may be simple exporters or contractors selling some service such as the use of proprietary or management skills.
The multinational enterprise (MNE) can be defined as a firm with subsidiaries, branches or other controlled affiliates in three or more countries.