Managing in an international environment is a significant challenge for organisational leaders in multinational corporations. Managing across cultures is never easy, and undertaking international leadership roles can be particularly difficult. Global supply chains, marketing strategies and human resource management approaches require constant coordination and fine‐tuning. Whether you wish to lead a global corporation one day, or simply hope to develop international leadership skills, an overseas job assignment can provide an array of new skills and experiences.

A survey of 300 Australian general managers found that the traditional highly individualistic, consultative Australian leadership style is inappropriate when transferred to the hierarchical, group‐oriented cultures of many Asian countries. A global mindset is required in which managers adapt their style to the cultures in which they operate. This mindset can be developed through regular exposure to the business cultures of Asia–Pacific, and an international assignment is one obvious way to achieve this. Undertaking international management and cross‐cultural subjects at university is also highly recommended.

Workers in Asian countries can often be expected to show great respect to seniors and those in authority. In contrast, in Western cultures such as in Australia and New Zealand, workers may be expected to emphasise self‐interests more than group loyalty. Outsiders may find that the workplace in more ‘masculine’ societies, such as Japan, displays more rigid gender stereotypes. Also, corporate strategies in more long‐term cultures are likely to be just that — more long‐term oriented. Potential reasons for these phenomena are discussed in relation to the well‐known international study conducted by Geert Hofstede in the chapter on the international dimensions of management.

QUESTION

By definition, cultures are different from each other, with differing values, attitudes, feelings and behaviours. Is it possible to have an approach to management that flies over all these differences, like a one‐size‐fits‐all theory that’s infinitely adaptable?