Global Business Footprints: A Compilation of Michigan’s Largest Companies

Abstract

Due to the growing demand of international business, companies are increasing business transactions that occur outside the United States, as well as between the US and other
countries. Using the Fortune 500 as a selection tool, Michigan based companies were compared in four aspects to determine each of the corporations’ global footprint. Companies
were contrasted using the following factors: revenue, numbers of employees, number of locations, and number of countries companies have a presence within. Each factor was
divided between the United States and the rest of the world to evaluate the percent of foreign versus domestic activities. In addition, companies were evaluated on
sustainability by analyzing participation in a common sustainability program known as the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI). Research will determine whether or not there is
a direct relationship, indirect relationship, or no relationship between international presence and success (revenue). The study also seeks to determine the relationship
between concern for sustainability and success (revenue). Participants include the 20 companies based within Michigan who earned a spot on the 2012 Fortune 500 list:
General Motors, Ford Motor, Dow Chemical, Whirlpool Corporation, TRW Automotive Holdings, Lear Corporation, Ally Financial, Kellogg, Penske Automotive Group, DTE Energy,
Stryker Corporation, Autoliv, Visteon, Masco, Borg Warner, Consumers Energy, Auto-Owners Insurance, Kelly Services, Con-way, and Meritor. Each company was analyzed in order
to obtain data pertaining to the factors listed above. At the conclusion of the study, it was determined that both international presence and concern for sustainability have
a direct relationship with a company’s overall success in terms of revenue.