Socio-Cultural Exchange

Choose either the concept of cultural diffusion (voluntary/consented change in culture) or cultural imperialism (enforced/pressured change in culture) and using specific examples explain how transnational corporations either intentionally or unintentionally spread consumerism through your chosen concept.

Cultural diffusion is the concept of cultural beliefs and activities that spread from one group to another, such as ethnicities, nationalities, religions, etc. and is often due to globalisation; the advance in communication, and technology. 

One of the most common examples of cultural diffusion today is the spread of various foods. A transnational corporation that has aided in spreading consumerism through cultural diffusion is McDonalds. McDonalds is well known for adapting to the cultures and foods of the country their stores may be settled in. By adapting to the culture of others, it allows McDonalds to reach out to more of their consumers. For example, when I visited Hong Kong for vacation a few years ago, my family and I decided to eat at McDonalds, and the menu of the company was completely different compared to the menu that we were familiar with in the Philippines. In order for McDonalds to reach out to their consumers in Hong Kong, they added burgers that were spicy, and fit for the taste of those in the country. Another example, is the McDonalds in the Philippines, that include spaghetti in their menu, however, this cannot be seen in other countries such as the United States. Through this, it is McDonald's way of adapting to the culture of the Philippines, and as well as attracting more of the Filipinos. 

By looking at the McDonald's websites from all over the world, it shows the variety in the menu depending on the country. Not only does the food change according to the country, but as well as the name of McDonalds also change, for example in Australia, they call the store "Maccas".