Enterprise　portals　collect　and　synthesise　information　from　various　systems　to　deliver　personalised　and　highly　relevant　information　to　users.　Enterprise　portals＇　design　and　applications　are　widely　discussed　in　the　literature;　however,　the　implications　of　portal　design　in　a　global　networked　environment　have　barely　been　explored.　This　paper　aims　to　highlight　the　challenges　of　enterprise　portals　for　international,　transnational　and　multinational　businesses,　paying　special　attention　to　the　influence　of　national　culture　on　enterprise　portal　design.　A　user-oriented　model　for　enterprise　portal　design　is　put　forward　emphasising　the　relevant　cultural　characteristics　of　the　portal　users　influencing　portal　design.　The　incorporation　of　these　characteristics　to　the　portal　design　will　support　both　portal　contribution　and　portal　benefits,　ultimately　leading　to　improved　business　processes.　©　2010　Inderscience　Enterprises　Ltd.