Difference between a global, transnational, international and multinational company

Difference between a global, transnational, international and multinational company
We tend to read the following terms and think they refer to any company doing business in another country.
• Multinational
• International
• Transnational
• Global
Andrew Hines over at BNET has brief and clear definitions of each of these terms, Get your international business terms right.
Each term is distinct and has a specific meaning which define the scope and degree of interaction with their operations outside of their “home” country.
• International companies are importers and exporters, they have no investment outside of their home country.
• Multinational companies have investment in other countries, but do not have coordinated product offerings in each country. More focused on adapting their products and service to each individual local market.
• Global companies have invested and are present in many countries. They market their products through the use of the same coordinated image/brand in all markets. Generally one corporate office that is responsible for global strategy. Emphasis on volume, cost management and efficiency.
• Transnational companies are much more complex organizations. They have invested in foreign operations, have a central corporate facility but give decision-making, R&D and marketing powers to each individual foreign market.
Andrews’s advice is if in doubt about the right term to use, try the generic term “international business”.