Barbie was introduced to the world in 1959 and is one of the most iconic dolls ever produced. Barbie is manufactured by Mattel, founded in California in 1944, and has dominated the toy market ever since. Barbie helped create a name and empire for Mattel, which later introduced products such as Hot Wheels and Polly Pocket. Mattel, for many years, enjoyed an excellent reputation and manufactured products that were safe and popular with children. Mattel began moving its manufacturing operations overseas about 20 years ago and, until recent years, enjoyed continued success. When Mattel began moving the majority of its manufacturing operations to China and Mexico, it never imagined the controversy it would find itself in the middle of. International manufacturing operations provide businesses with an increased bottom line, since labor costs are significantly cheaper than in the United States. However, when companies expand internationally, they must first consider a few factors: external environmental factors, cultural dynamics, and their strategy and structure in their overseas operations. July 13, 2007 was the day Mattel discovered its Sarge diecast toy cars. , made in China, contained lead levels above U.S. federal toy safety regulations (Pearce & Robinson, 25-1). The United States implemented safety regulations regarding lead-based paint years ago because officials were aware of the potential health problems lead could cause. The Chinese-made products that caused the 2007 recalls were substandard and posed serious health risks to children in the United States. High levels of lead paint can have a detrimental effect on children's health. Lead can harm children... middle of paper ...... splint, lack of safety standards and cultural issues may have been their biggest downfall. If they had done some research before jumping into Chinese manufacturing, the results could have been very different. The initial costs of manufacturing in China may be attractive, but Mattel suffered significant financial losses and was left with a tarnished reputation. pushes-china-to-raise-stan-toy-making.htmlReferences…..China’s Toxic Toy Maker. (2007). Economist, 384(8542), 58. Retrieved from EBSCOhost.Joe, W. (nd). Mattel cautiously reveals closure of Murray, Kentucky toy factory. Paducah Sun, The (KY), 04/04/2001. Taken from EBSCOhost. Geoff Dyer in Shanghai, M. (September 22, 2007). Mattel apologizes to the “Chinese people”. Irish Times. Taken from EBSCOhost..