1. Why was it important for Air Products to develop a global engineering and procurement process? What are the primary objectives of the process?

2. What are some of the disadvantages that Air Products has realized from viewing its European and U.S. procurement and engineering centers as separate operations?

3. Discuss the role of the corporate steering committee as it relates to global engineering and procurement. Discuss the other organizational support mechanisms the company has put in place to support its global process.

4. Describe Air Products global engineering and procurement process.

5. What are some organizational advantages that Air Products has that facilitated the development and execution of a global sourcing process?

6. When forming cross-functional/cross-locational teams, what are some of the planning and team formation issues that Air Products executive managers must consider?

7. What are some of the potential risks that Air Products faces due to its global engineering and procurement process?

8. What will it take for Air Products to achieve its aggressive target in terms of new global contracts?

9. Discuss how Air Products Chemical has used information technology to support its global efforts.

10. Create a job description for the globalization manager's position. Be sure to be explicit about his or her responsibilities.