Case Study

Mr Jones, an American, accepts the position as an adviser in the African country. He will work honestly with Mr Nkosi a citizen of country. Together they have managerial accountability for the project, which is to develop the oil industry in African country. Mr Jones’ experience in the United States seems well-suited to the task he should achieve in his advisory capacity in the African country. He is highly motivated and has an excellent work record and his superiors in United States are confident that he will face little he can’t handle in his assignment. After having been on the job for many weeks, Mr Jones experiences considerable frustration. It appears that Mr Nkosi and his subordinates lack both training and motivation. On a number of occasions, Mr Jones tactfully points out to Mr Nkosi that they get together one evening for dinner, thinking that in an informal setting he may be more successful in making Mr Nkosi aware of some of problems at work. The two men meet for dinner but every effort to bring up the work conditions results in Mr Nkosi changing the subject to talk about family and friends. The problem becomes increasingly severe in the weeks that follow. It seems to Mr Jones that the only way to get the job done is to do it himself. Gradually he assumes more of the tasks that must be carried out by Mr Nkosi.

Required:

problem1. Consider the problem of whether Mr Jones is succeeding or failing in making international relations for business.

problem2. What are the effects of applying his knowledge to the skills needed for this type of international business to the problem?

problem3. Consider some of the cultural variables that are the issues increased as an effect of global communication between Mr Jones and Mr Nkosi.