Designing the Global Corporation

Features

• Cover Type: Hard Cover with 312 pages
• Published by: Jossey-Bass
• Edition: 1st Edition July 15, 2000
• Written in: English
• ISBN 10 Number: 0787952753
• ISBN 13 Number: 978-0787952754
• Book Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 1 inches
• Weighs: 1.3 pounds

Product Review
"Until now there has been no clear, useful approach to problems of global organization design. In Designing the Global Corporation, Jay Galbraith once again displays the insight and clarity of thought that has earned him his acknowledged position as the world's leading authority on organizational design."(William F. Joyce, professor, Tuck School of Business, Dartmouth College)

"Once again, Jay Galbraith presents nuggets of insight for any senior manager leading global organizations!"(Susan Bowick, vice president, human resources, Hewlett-Packard Company)

"In a time of growing complexity, Jay Galbraith provides concise and valuable insight into an issue that continues to puzzle managers the world over. A must-read for anyone with operational responsibility."(Helmut Maucher, chairman, Nestle S.A.)

"A landmark book in many respects. Key issues such as flat networks, project teams, power shifts, and serving the global customer are all covered with great insight."(Peter Lorange, president, International Institute for Management Development, Lausanne, Switzerland)

"The best reference source available on designing and making complex multinational organizations work."(Nathaniel Foote, organization design practice leader, McKinsey & Co.)

"A comprehensive guide to creating organisations that can successfully compete in the global arena." (Human Resources, February 2001)

Book Description
If there's anything more challenging than designing a company, it's designing a global company. Balancing strategy and structure becomes even more daunting when geography, foreign governments, and worldwide customers and products are thrown into the mix. And no single design works for all organizations. In this book, internationally recognized expert Jay Galbraith shows companies how to match their own strengths and strategies with proven design options. Whether they're exporting their first product or already operating around the world, Galbraith gives companies the information they need to build flexible, global networks. And through real-world examples, he shows how successful international businesses are already navigating the global environment.



Reader Reviews
Let's begin with Galbraith's concluding remarks: "The new development process for global products [and services] is one of the key organizational capabilities that a firm must master when evolving into a multinational company. Even without the global challenge, the product development process has become complex: products [and services] have to not only meet market requirements but also be manufacturable, reliable, serviceable, useable, and recyclable, and meet target costs in shorter and shorter cycle times." If this brief excerpt describes the situation your organization is in now or one to which it hopes to relocate ASAP, this brilliant book is "must reading." In a very real sense, Galbraith functions as both a management consultant and an architect. The emphasis on the principles of "design" is intentional and eminently appropriate. Here are some of questions he answers: What is the challenge of organizational complexity? How to overcome it? How to organize the global corporation? What are the levels of international development? What does partnering require? When and why is it beneficial? What is the significance of geographical division? Which multidimensional structures are most important? Why? What are the most effective strategies for coordination between and among networks? What are cross-border formal networks? What are their significance? What are the most effective ways to shift power across networks? What is the "transformational form"? What is its significance? What is a "multidimensional multinational"? What are the most effective organizational strategies to serve the global customer? What is a "front-back hybrid organization"? After "A Look Ahead", Galbraith provides an Appendix ("The New Global Process of New-Product Delopment") which, all by itself, is well worth the price of the book. To repeat, I consider it "must reading" for organizations already embarked upon globalization or which are now preparing to begin that perilous journey. There is another category of organizations which can also derive substantial benefit from this book: Those who now do business with or plan to do business with others now active in the global marketplace. With all due respect to Galbraith, there is no single "design" which is appropriate for all or even for most organizations. Moreover, today's appropriate design may well prove inadequate in the near future, if not by tomorrow. Therefore, I suggest that you use Galbraith's book to identify the questions which must be asked and then answered, to take full advantage of the advice he provides and of the guidelines he suggests, and to view the design process as a unique opportunity to energize (or re-energize) everyone involved. Galbraith asserts (and I agree) that companies CAN transform themselves to design local products or devise local services that capture global scale yet fit local-market requirements. Only those which do will prosper. The choice is theirs. It really is. Comment | | (Report this)