This booklet for secondary students contains background information and activities about the multinational corporation (MNC). The major goal of the booklet is to impart an understanding of the economic concepts underlying the world economy and the activities of multinational business enterprises. The world economy, the exchange of goods and services among countries, has always been a part of our lives. However, today it is more important than ever. The volume of world trade has expanded over eight times since 1960. Growth in world trade has been accompanied by a remarkable growth in multinational business enterprises. These organizations account either directly or indirectly for an increasing number of goods and services we consume daily. The modern multinational corporation has a presence in foreign countries for three basic reasons: (1) to satisfy its own and others' needs for raw materials, (2) to produce at lower cost in order to meet competition and to satisfy its customers, and (3) to conform to government policies of the host country. Brief reading selections provide students with information on world trade, history of MNCs, the economics of MNCs, and some issues raised by MNCs. Following the readings students are involved in many activities. For example, students compile a list of commodities that the United States must import from other countries and prepare exhibits, bulletin boards and/or reports describing the origins of these products and their uses in the U.S. In another activity students log all the products advertised on a TV station within a certain time and determine how many of them are made by MNCs. Students also participate in role-playing, panels, large and small group discussions, and independent research. Pre- and posttests are included. (Author/RM)