Final answer:
Local hardware and software vendors may partially influence multinational companies' application choices, but their impact is generally limited by larger strategic considerations and global business objectives. The correct answer is true.
Step-by-step explanation:
Whether local hardware and software vendors influence the applications a multinational company chooses is a complex matter. It's true that such vendors can have an impact, particularly in scenarios where a company seeks to incorporate local preferences or needs specific support that local vendors can provide.
However, large multinational companies often have a wide array of choices and may not be significantly influenced by local vendors due to their global strategies and the scale of their operations. Therefore, while local vendors can play a role, their influence on multinational companies' application choices is generally subordinate to the companies' broader business goals and technological requirements. Such decisions are influenced by a variety of factors including the need to standardize operations, economies of scale, and strategic corporate objectives which may override local considerations.
Considering the influence of globalization and the impact of new information and communication technologies, multinational companies (MNCs) are now, more than ever, able to manage operations across different regions effectively. This technological advancement may result in a favoring of large organizations leading to 'winner-take-all' markets, where dominant companies like Microsoft in software or Amazon in bookselling, command a significant share of the market.
Nonetheless, it is also true that these technologies enable smaller firms to extend their reach beyond local markets, potentially increasing competition. Moreover, the role of MNCs in local economies, including investments in infrastructure and job creation, can't be understated. The presence of MNCs often contributes to technology spillovers, fostering skill development and introducing new technologies to domestic markets.