GLOBAL INTEGRATION VERSUS LOCAL RESPONSIVENESS
MNEs face asymmetric forces: pressures for the efficiency of global integration versus those for the effectiveness of local responsiveness. The constant tug-of-war between globalism and localism puts contradictory demands on how managers configure and coordinate value chains. Research suggests straightforward relationships: The higher the pressure for global integration, the greater the need to concentrate configuration and standardize coordination Conversely, the higher the pressure for local responsiveness, the greater the need to disperse configuration and adapt coordination. Few MNEs operate in an industry where one perspective dominates. Rather, the common scenario is an industry setting where the MNE must strike some sort of balance reconciling the competing imperatives given the demands of its strategy