EXPLORING THE ISSUE

Are U.S. Companies Adaptive to Local Practices Overseas? Critical Thinking and Reflection 1. Define polycentric and ethnocentric staffing strategies. 2. Why is McDonald’s so successful in its global operations? 3. Why was Walmart not successful in Germany and Korea? 4. What alternate suggestions do experts offer for multinationals establishing overseas? Is There Common Ground? Multinational organizations have the options of standardizing or localizing for their operations overseas. Successful companies have demonstrated the power of integrating the local values as it creates a strong bond with the customers. This might imply organizations have to change their products, services, and practices to domestic market values. In the long run, such market adaption might be very beneficial for organizations. On the other hand, several U.S. companies take their domestic recipe of success and try to implement it in other countries. This might not work well as local laws, values, and preferences contribute to the success or failure of a product or service. Experts suggest using joint ventures or decentralized approach as excellent method of entering new markets. If you were on the Walmart HRM team establishing in Germany, what would you have proposed differently? What suggestions would you have if you were working with Walmart’s HRM team in Korea?

QUESTION:

What suggestions would you have if you were working with Walmart's HRM team in Korea? Describe your position on this debate topic.