What is the meaning of focal firm?

A focal firm is "the initiator of an International business transaction, they conceive, design and produce the offerings [goods or services] intended for consumption" (Cavusgil, Knight and Riesenberger ,2008, International Business). Basically their are many firms that help in the making of a car (let's say a VW Golf) a firm may assemble the car and another may provide the means of distribution but the focal firm is still VW it is for all intents and purposes "their car."