A major producer of polymers in the United States is about to expand its business. As part of this expansion, it will begin to sell its products in Europe and Asia. In addition, it plans to open a plant in Asia. Maverick, the President and CEO, is concerned; he has heard many stories of companies that have tried to expand globally but operations either failed miserably or did not live up to expectations due to the cultural differences between workers and customers in each country.
Maverick has asked your group to research problems other companies have had with this issue and develop ways in which the errors those companies made can be avoided by his company.
Each individual in your group should select a multinational corporation or international nonprofit agency that has encountered these problems (this can be a previous or current employer of yours). Using the Internet and the library, research that organization to discover any cultural barriers that organization encountered and what its managers did to try to overcome those barriers.
Group Portion:
As a group, discuss the following points on the Small Group Discussion Board:
Generate and evaluate reasons why people may not appreciate the cultural point of view of others. Use at least 10 references (including 3 from the textbook) as well as 3 sociologists' views.
Discuss how appreciating cultural diversity affects peoples' ability to communicate effectively in the context of a multinational corporation or an international nonprofit agency. Feel free to add your own experiences as well as quoting others.