Deck 11: Motivating and Leading

Question 1

What is the history of Google's clashes with European authorities and people Give some examples. What cultural factors have been involved in these clashes

Answer 1

Company G is an American multinational conglomerate that was initially established as an online search and advertising company. Although with the passage of time, the company has started unrelated diversification and presently it is offering products in related categories.
Company G has faced several clashes with the authorities as well as people of Continent E. Some of the examples of such clashes are given below:
• E Commission has filed an antitrust campaign against Company G. Furthermore, it has conducted second investigation into its Android mobile operating system.
• The company was also sued several times by the media and entertainment industries for copyright issues.
• Furthermore, recently the EU has decided to press charges against Company G's mobile operating system. Earlier, it has also sued the company for abusing its power and influence due to increasing dominance in the online search market. As per EU, Company G promotes its own shopping services that would be considered constructs an anti-competitive behavior.
The cultural factors that are involved in such cases include the perception, moral values, judgment of self and others, and beliefs. Company G has not contributed towards the development of local businesses and industries of the Continent E; rather it has only focused on its own growth and development.
The company has not tried to make good relationship with the local companies and the authorities. It hasn't paid attention towards understanding the concerns of local business. The company has used its position in the online search market to promote its own products and services. All these instances show short-sighted belief, moral values, and perception of Company G.

Question 2

What is Biondo's overall strategy when he says, "I can make the cake bigger for everybody"

Answer 2

Company G is an American based multinational company that provides several internet-related services. The company has faced several issues while operating its business in Continent E. It has faced several clashes with the authorities as well as people of Continent E.
The company was sued twice by E Commission for violating the antitrust laws. Furthermore, it was also sued for copyright issues by the media and entertainment industries. The company is also in trouble for its open source Android operating system. As per the E Commission, Company G is making the device manufacturers enter into partnership contracts as per which they needs to install G apps on their devices. It would hinder the competition in the industry.
Mr. B, who is the E president for the company has denied the antitrust allegations. Furthermore, he also states that the company would not slow down its Android operations.
Mr. B states that he would make the cake bigger for everybody. Through this statement, he wants to convey the company's overall strategy which is to attain a sustainable growth for everyone. By the mentioned statement, Mr. B wants to convey that its Android operating system would be beneficial for other industries as well. He further clarifies that linking the operating system of Company G with devices like watches, televisions and cars would help the industries in developing stronger relationships with the customers. Hence, it would further increase the revenues and market share for other industries as well.

Question 3

What have you learned from the research on work centrality and the relative importance of work dimensions to people around the world

Answer 3

Work centrality shows the relative importance of work in a person's life. According to the research on work centrality, following conclusions might be drawn:
• The research is primarily based on individual ideas regarding the comparative significance of work differentiated with leisure, religion and community.
• It helps to determine the nature and behavior of employees, according to their culture and economy.
• It also help to determine the motivational factors required for retention and growth of an employee
The work research team provides outstanding insights to the relative order of work proportions by people around the globe, as follows:
• Monetary income is the basic requirement of a job.
• Apart from remuneration, self-satisfaction, interest, and social contacts are essential factors in determination of job satisfaction.
• Jobs that provide status and prestige to an employee help to increase their motivational level.
Hence, above inferences establish the relative importance of cultural and social factors in determination of the employee behavior.

Question 4

What has happened since the writing of this case How is Biondo doing

Question 5

Meet with another student, preferably one whom you know well. Talk with that person and draw up a list of leadership skills you perceive him or her to possess. Then consider your research and readings regarding cross-cultural leadership. Name two countries where you think the student would be an effective leader and two where you think there would be conflict. Discuss those areas of conflict. Then reverse the procedure to find out more about yourself. Share with the class, if you wish.

Question 6

Is corruption a normal part of business

Question 7

What are the implications for motivation of Hofstede's research findings on the dimensions of power distance, uncertainty avoidance, individualism, and masculinity

Question 8

Corruption is often linked to the qualities of a particular country and society. Are some countries more corrupt and prone to crony capitalism than others

Question 9

Explain what is meant by the need to design culturally appropriate reward systems. Give some examples.

Question 10

What is your opinion about the Tata Group What role did ethical leadership play in the success of the group

Question 11

Develop a cultural profile for workers in Mexico and discuss the management style you would use.

Question 12

What do you think of Ratan Tata's leadership Do you think that Ratan was able to carry forward the legacy of the Tatas in letter and spirit

Question 13

Describe the variables of content and context in the leadership situation. What additional variables are involved in cross-cultural leadership What are the major elements of a "Global Mindset "

Question 14

What should Ratan Tata do to ensure that the group carries forward the legacy of ethical leadership of the Tata Group and does not view it as a burden while operating in emerging markets like India

Question 15

Explain the theory of contingency leadership and discuss the role of culture in that theory.

Question 16

What are the various external factors which a company must take into account while devising a market entry strategy for a new country Discuss these factors in the Russian context and in the actions taken by IKEA.

Question 17

How can we use Hofstede's four dimensions-power distance, uncertainty avoidance, individualism, and masculinity-to gain insight into leader-subordinate relationships around the world Give some specific examples.

Question 18

What is the impact of strong and co-operative political machinery on the business prospects of an emerging market In this context, discuss IKEA's Russian sojourn. What should IKEA's business strategy be in the future

Question 19

Describe the autocratic versus democratic leadership dimension. Discuss the cultural contingency in this dimension and give some examples of research findings indicating differences among countries.

Question 20

What are the strategies that a company should use to grow its business in an emerging market How do you establish a strong market presence in an underserved market Discuss IKEA's strategy of establishing large shopping complexes instead of standalone shopping centers.

Question 21

Discuss how you would develop a profile of an effective leader from the research results from the GLOBE project. Give an example.

Question 22

What differences in American and French value systems might be at the root of the difficulties Chalon is facing as he implements a new strategy

Question 23

Can there be an effective "EU Leader" Is this a realistic prospect Discuss the factors involved with this concept. What role has the financial crisis in the Eurozone played in this concept

Question 24

Using the material on motivation in this chapter, design a suitable organizational reward system for the workers in your company's plant in Mexico.

Question 25

Choose a country and do some research (and conduct interviews, if possible) to create a cultural profile. Focus on factors affecting behavior in the workplace. Integrate any findings regarding motivation or work attitudes and behaviors. Decide on the type of approach to motivation you would take and the kinds of incentive and reward systems you would set up as manager of a subsidiary in that country. Use the theories on motivation discussed in this chapter to infer motivational structures relative to that society. Then decide what type of leadership style and process you would use. What major contingencies did you take into account

Question 26

Try to interview several people from a specific ethnic subculture in a company or in your college regarding values, needs, expectations in the workplace, and so on. Sketch a motivational profile of this subculture and present it to your class for discussion.