SEMINAR ON THE MULTINATIONAL CORPORATION

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80M00165A000300030001-8
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 5
• Document Creation Date: December 15, 2016
• Document Release Date: January 29, 2004
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: June 27, 1977
• Content Type: MF

ADMINISTIiAT1VE --
Approved For Release 2004/02/19: CIA-RDP80'M00165A0QQ300030001-8
MEMORANDUM FOR: Deputy Director for Administration
FROM: Harry E. Fitzwater
Director of Training
1/U/n .L10(*j1J V `~ AT
OR Hug.strv
2 7 JUN 1977
SUBJECT: Seminar on The Multinational Corporation
1. The first Seminar on The Multinational Corporation
sponsored by the Office of Training (OTR) was presented from
21-23 June 1977--full time on 21 June and in the mornings of
22 and 23 June. It was a reasonably successful effort
overall with some of the input of excellent quality and all
of educational value, even where less exciting than hoped
for by the'students. It was admittedly incomplete. It
lacked, for example, coverage of such items as the viewpoint
of organized labor or that of a serious critic of multina-
tional enterprise. It would also have been worthwhile to
have devoted more attention to discussing the readings and
the Peter Drucker film on the subject which was presented..
.2. The idea for this Seminar came from discussions
between the course administrator and participants in the
course in International Economics for Operations Officers
over the last two years. The subject was raised frequently,
but there seemed to be little understanding among students
in this course of the nature and role of multinational
corporations (MNC). Our students, both young and middle-
aged, continue now as a generation ago to be oriented toward
a traditional disciplinary approach, focusing primarily on
the nation-state with relatively modest attention to trans-
national organizations or efforts. As an outgrowth of these
observations. and discussions,'a memorandum was circulated in
December 1976 to various units within the Agency to inquire
as-to interest in'the Seminar. The response was largely
favorable, with suggestions from various parties, including
the National Intelligence Officer (NIO) for Economics and
the Executive Officer of the Office of Economic Research.
We proceeded with examination of the literature, discussion
with interested officers, preparation of a tentative program,
and the making of inquiries about potential contributors.
Conflicting commitments. delayed the presentation until June;
this date, unfortunately, precluded the participation of
some interested contributors who were not available this
time of the year.
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SUBJECT: Seminar on The Multinational Corporation
3. The contributors to the course varied in aualit
and in impact, but all were competent.
4. The two panels on Wednesday were not exciting, but
were educational. the NIO for Economics,
presented so4p of his views-o e internationalization of
production. , who has concentrated on
Latin America in the Office o Economic Research (OER), was
able to suggest something of the range of interest and
challenges. facing the OER analyst working on this topic.
5. The representatives of other government agencies
(Department of State, Department of the Treasury, and
Department of Commerce) who participated in the panel the
second half of Wednesday morning, looked at the problem from
the. viewpoint of officers in those departments most directly
involved with multinationals. They were well informed and
disciplined, although none of them was a dramatic speaker.
Some students were-disappointed that the panelists did not
provide better guidance about efforts to be made in this
area. It should be noted, however, that the rather cautious
attitude they displayed is probably an accurate indication
of government policy in this area.
6. The Wednesday morning film, which we had procured
only a few days ahead, provided a good introduction
discussion of multinationals in manufacturing
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SUBJECT: Seminar on The Multinational Corporation
I I the most dynamic speaker of
the course, is an expe usiness executive with a
wealth of knowledge ofand of similar manufacturing
enterprises. He clearly presented the reasons why went
multinational and suggested why others, both Unite a es
and foreign, will do likewise. He explained the workings of
a multinational company and discussed its problems and
methods. His forceful manner and candid approach made a
good ending for the Seminar.
7. Thirty-seven students attended, ranging in grades
from GS-09 to. GS-16. All were taking the course because of
professional job interest. Sixteen were from the Directorate
of Intelligence, one from the Directorate of Science and
Technology, and twenty from the Directorate of Operations.
The offices most heavily represented were the Office of
Economic Research with 12 students and the Domestic Collection
Division with 6 students. Many of those attending had been
alerted by the earlier memorandum on the Seminar. A tentRtive
reading of student evaluations of the course (about ialf
'I i ave been. eceived) Yndicat s a wide range of reactions,
11,
low to high Impact . The ,majority of evaluations ~""examined
from
to. date xesponcted-5'6s`ftively to the question of whether it
should be repeated, but with changes recommended in coverage
or contributors. Oral comments to the course administrator
were more enthusiastic than written evaluations.
8. Essentially, it can be considered a useful educational
effort and a valuable experiment for OTR in this specialized
type of seminar. There is little reason to doubt that a
second running could present a more integrated and balanced
course than we had-this time. It is,