Professor shares knowledge on cross-cultural management

[photopress:Maryland2.gif,full,alignright]Dr. Gilad Chen, Professor of Management and Organization at Robert H. Smith School of Business recently gave a public lecture in Shanghai on “Managing Human Capital in a Global Economy”. Before the lecture he gave a brief interview to the School on cross-cultural management issues.

Q. Why should cross-cultural management be included in business school programs?
A. Because more and more organizations are operating on a global scale. International managers and expatriates should learn about adapting themselves to their local employees and culture.

Q. What are some of the challenges multinational companies encounter in terms of HR management and leadership?
A. In a global, virtual team setting, leaders should learn to manage differences and conflicts, ranging from norms of behaviour, job loyalty, expectations and human values. Leadership tends to differ across different cultures in terms of what followers value and expect.

Q. What would you suggest to a foreign expatriate who is sent to China?
A. That they should strive to learn about the local culture. For example, the compensation strategies may need to be adjusted to fit local preferences. One question that Smith EMBA students keep asking is “Will it work in China?”

Dr. Chen is originally from Israel and obtained his doctorate degree in Industrial and Organizational Psychology from George Mason University in the US.
Robert H. Smith School of Business provides Executive MBAs and custom executive programs in China and is part of the University of Maryland.
Source: Robert H. Smith School of Business (press release)