Harley Davidson Company

We can see through the case, that Donaldson had done any effort to adapt his management style to the European one. He tough that he will have the same success as in Cairo and in the United States. This lack of adaptability will consequently lead to other mistakes. His mission, in the European headquarter of Argos Diesel, was to improve and develop cross-divisional and cross-functional teams to create cohesion and effective communication between all the European Argos units. Donaldson did not even try to create a good relationship with his manager Bettina Schweri, after one year working with her he doesn’t know her position in the company and call her Secretary, this kind of behavior can be badly viewed in a high-power distance country. Obviously, …show more content…
Since the first meeting she knew the path of Bert, she should have made more efforts to transmit information about the situation to Frank directly or through his secretary. As a result, all the parties are affected. Donaldson’s family is having a hard time in Zurich. His wife, left her job in the United States thus she is bored and nearly depressed. His daughter’s future is at risk because of the understated recommendations but also the different grading system, which will keep her out of top schools in the United States. Bert career is at risk also and in between the hands of Waterhouse. The promotion that Franck was seeking will be out of the window. Finally, the headquarter will be also affected because sending an expatriate is extremely costly especially when the goal of the expatriation is failed. It can also affect the moral and the motivation of the future expatriate and finally as we have seen in the case, Bert career is on the line and this can be a big loss for the …show more content…
The best solution is repatriation, the first reason is time. Bert have only one year left to improve the situation which is not sufficient. If he stays Argos and Waterhouse must invest in cross-cultural and language training for him and his family. As we have seen his family moral can affect his work. This training will only add more cost to the company and simultaneously waste Waterhouse time. This cost will be added to his already expensive relocation. As we have seen in the case his busy schedule contributed to Bert failure consequently he will have to be more present for Bert. By the time, he will be sufficiently prepared, he will have to return to the American headquarters. Waterhouse should Immediately call the headquarter to inform them about the situation and to talk them about his decision to send Bert. This time Waterhouse, will not repeat the same error as the headquarter and prepare him for the repatriation. Once the CEO approves, they both should establish a career development plan for Bert. A list of possible re-entry jobs option should be set up: He can return to his previous position helping create cross-divisional, cross-functional teams but now his job will more about controlling their cohesion, he also could be a great asset if Argos want to expand in North African countries. Once the re-entry job is set