Role of International Managers
Planning, organizing, staffing, directing and controlling are basic functions of management. Given
the peculiar characteristics of international business, these functions also require some changes in
implementation.
Planning
export – joint ventures – economic environments – politcal stability – approach –
location - offices
To do business internationally, managers must first plan their (1)____ well. They have to decide how
exactly will they be conducting their activities.
This includes deciding whether they will (2)____ products or enter into (3)_____ with a local
business. They may even function as an MNC by opening (4)_____ in various countries by operating
from one (5)____.
International planning always requires a thorough understanding of local political, social and
(6)______. These factors also include (7)_____, government pressure, intellectual property policies,
competition, etc.
(8)_____________
communication protocol - adhere – adapt - hierarchy structures - operate
It is not possible for an international business to operate in multiple countries using standard and
common practices. International managers always have to organize their business to (9)_____ to local
requirements of all countries.
Firstly, they have to create a command hierarchy that involves people operating in multiple countries.
Then, they have to (10)_____ to local laws and regulations of the nations they operate in. Managers
even have to keep local business practices and customs in mind while organizing.
International businesses also have complicated management (11)_____ as people (12)_____ from
many nations. Managers must ensure that they have a robust (13)_____ to deal with this problem.
Employees must always be able to address their grievances, ideas and suggestions.
(14)__________
International managers next have to figure out whether they will hire local employees or send their
own staff abroad. Consequently, they will need to be aware of all local labour laws if they decide to
hire employees locally.
(15)__________
cultural diversity - sensitivity seminars - cross-border business Directing can often become very difficult when people from multiple countries work together. Since
cultural differences influence people to work differently, managers have to adapt themselves in every
unique situation. Even language can become a barrier in (16)_____.
To deal with such problems, managers can try to involve people of diverse cultures and nationalities
in management. Human resource departments of large companies always try to encourage (17)_____
in their organizations. They even conduct (18)_____ to make employees and managers aware of
diverse cultures among their workforces.
Controlling
control - routine
The problems that affect the function of directing apply to the process of controlling as well.
Controlling requires meetings between people which helps in the exchange of information on a
(19)_____ basis. Reporting and inspections are also important aspects of (20)_____.
Cultural differences amongst employees can always affect these kinds of functions. Managers, thus,
should be able to adapt to all peculiarities and facilitate the controlling process.
SUMMARY
(A) __________ has made it possible for business to become international.
(B) The __________ process of management requires managers to be aware of local labour laws.
(C) __________ requires managers to thoroughly understand social, political and economic
environments.
(D) Managers can include people of diverse cultures to curb possible problems arising from
__________.