International Dimensions of Org. Behavior A global economy is now a reality.

The shape of international trade has changed dramatically in recent years, w/ the emergence of the European Community revolutionary changes in the Soviet Union & eastern Europe, and strong markets developing in China, Korea, & many emerging nations. As a result many org. Now do business in more than one country, and these multinational operations add powerful new dimensions to org. Behavior. Expansion beyond national boundaries is much more than a step across a geographical line, however. It is also a gigantic & sometimes frightening step into different social, political, economic environments. Communication lines are lengthened, control often becomes more difficult. Todays managers must acquire both language & intercultural skills in dealing with people customers, suppliers, competitors, & colleagues from othe countries. It is hard enough to operate an org. In one language & one culture. When two,three, four,five or dozen languages & cultures are involved communication difficulties are compounded many times over. Complex multinational org. Push a managers behavioral skills to their limits. It proves easier to manage the technical factors of building a sophisticated new plant than to handle the social factors of operating it there after.