Description
Rapid changes in management worldwide have clearly challenged the ability of academics to make courses in international management relevant. One of the best ways to enrich courses is to supplement textbook material with recent articles and case studies. Readings and Cases in International Management is a compilation of contemporary readings and case studies that focus on managing global organizations. Intended as a companion to editor David C Thomas’ Essentials of International Management: A Cross-Cultural Perspective (SAGE, 2001), great care has been taken to select readings that do not duplicate, but supplement, material typically contained in texts on this topic. The readings and cases in this book are organized around three major themes: the basis for understanding the influence of culture on international management, the key roles that international managers play, and the important challenges that these managers face. Designed to represent a broad geographic scope, this integrative volume includes – An explanation of how culture influences individual managers – Methods to systematically describe cultural differences – Fundamental principles that influence cross-cultural interactions – An examination of managers as communicators, negotiators, change agents, and organization builders – Procedures for designing effective organizational structures Readings and Cases in International Management presents ways to maximize the positive effects of cultural diversity while minimizing the negative consequences. An index of key terms, teaching notes, and a quick reference guide are provided to facilitate learning. His previous academic postings have included positions at the Pennsylvania State University, the University of Auckland, New Zealand, where he was also Director of the Master of International Business Program, and The Australian Graduate School of Management (AGSM) Sydney, Australia. He has held visiting positions at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, the University of Hawaii, Massey University, New Zealand, ESCEM, Tours, France, and Ko University, Istanbul, Turkey. In addition to teaching at both the undergraduate and the postgraduate level, Dr. Thomas has developed executive education programs in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and the United States and has served as a consultant to numerous multinational firms and government agencies. When not writing or teaching he can most likely be found scraping or varnishing or sometimes sailing his 1984 Hans Christian cutter, “Clovelly”.
