In terms of the global marketplace, there are three primary types of companies: international firms, multinational firms, and transnational firms. The key factor that distinguishes one from another is

the firm's orientation toward and strategy for global markets and marketing.

Explanation:

The options to the question are:

A. the firm's financial capacity to take risks.

B. the willingness and ability to embrace diversity.

C. the firm's orientation toward and strategy for global markets and marketing.

D. the relative position of the product or service in terms of its life cycle.

E. the relative size of the firm both in financial terms and in production capacity.

International firms are the firms that have their headquarter in a particular country but still maintain vital investments outside that particular country.

A multinational company is a company that has factories in different parts of the world but has centralized head office. The centralized head office handles the global management.

A transnational firm is a firm that does business in several countries and does not consider any country its home.

The key factor that distinguishes one from another is the firm's orientation toward and strategy for global markets and marketing.