Chapter 10
Structure
Co-ordination and conflict
The structural challenge for global teams is around co-ordination and conflict. Any structure optimises co-ordination in one way but creates conflict in others. For global teams, the classic clash is between head office and the local team: between the hub and the rim. This clash is felt in five ways:
- Respecting each other: cultural intelligence
- Trusting staff
- Understanding customers
- Setting goals
- Making decisions.
This first part of the chapter will explore each of these conflict zones and suggest how the conflict can be reduced: it will never be eliminated.
The second part of the chapter will look at the structural choices open to the global firm, and how to make those choices. The choice ...
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