Assignment Details:   

You are a human resource (HR) manager and must contribute to the international team-building groundwork by doing the following: 

1.Visit the Global Edge resource desk at http://globaledge.msu.edu/Global-Insights. 

2.Select an industry and 2 countries from the different regions to research from this link. 

3.Review the Global Resources section to do your research under the Resource Desk tab.   

You are not writing this for someone who might simply be travelling to visit that country. Your discussion may be later adapted for cross-cultural orientation in the company because your company is planning to eventually build partnership teams with other international business units in the industry.  

Consider all of the following topics in your research and discussion: 

•What is the role of women in their society? Can they hold jobs? Do they work in power positions? 

•How is assertive behavior viewed in your selected countries?  Provide an example of when or how assertive behavior might be used.  

•How is direct communication viewed? Is it considered rude, or is it expected? If it is expected, provide an example of how direct communication might be used.   

•Is making eye contact a sign of paying attention to what a person is saying, or does it show disrespect for the person? 

•What is the most preferred means of communication, specifically in business: written or verbal?