Conflict in Achieving "Victory Stage of Multi-Level Marketing"

Abstract

Multi-level marketing (MLM) business trading model and global business which can penetrate countries border and local culture boundary. The objective of this study is to explore the utilization of different cultural background in MLM business and conflict variation in achieving “victory stage” from economics anthropology perspective. Ethnography method and qualitative approach were used in this study. Data were collected in Surabaya by observation and participation observation in MLM business seminar and network groups meetings as well as indepth interview to MLM millionaires/billionaires and their network groups. Data were alayzed ethnographically. The results of this study show that different cultural background (MLM businessmen are Javanese, Maduranese, Chinese, and Arabian) was used to build 1) network groups until reaching “victory stage”, 2) cultural communication which is put together in one MLM company culture. Conflicts that appear in MLM are 1) horizontal conflict: confluct between MLM milionaires/billionaires and conflict between MLM businessmen intra and inter MLM companies; 2) Vertical conflict: conflict between milionaires/billionaires and its network groups member in one MLM company as well as between MLM members. Conflict between MLM members and prospect Keywords—MLM businessmen, conflict, cultural boundary, corporate culture, MLM network group, victory stage