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This paper proposes a framework for understanding the concept of a learning organization from a normative perspective. A questionnaire was developed to operationally measure the described management practice attributes of a learning organization. Using a sample of four organizations and 612 subjects, support was found for three a priori predictive hypotheses derived from a conceptual framework. Implications of the results and further empirical research are discussed, especially for linking learning organization attributes to performance using larger samples and multiple measures.

The emerging global economic environment has produced a new and critical human resource demand, one that will become even more important in the decades ahead — the international manager. At present, two primary international training approaches exist: organisational and academic. Differences between the two are indicated, and an attempt is made to show how both are necessary, but not in themselves sufficient, in developing the international manager of tomorrow.

Are global business teams (GBTs) nothing more than just a group of individuals collaborating across cultural and geographic distances? We argue that such a view represents a gross simplification of the reality, since every GBT member also represents the knowledge and interests of an organizational unit. Recognizing the broader strategic context within which teams are embedded, we advance a typology of GBTs. We argue that different types of GBTs impose different motivational structures on team members as well as different coordination challenges. We also examine how the salience and consequences of various emergent and designed team characteristics will differ across different types of GBTs.

Although cross-cultural research tends to compare deeply held values across nations, different cultures can exist within nations, as evidenced by clashes of cultures in Israel, Afghanistan, Iraq, and elsewhere. We refer to multicultural teams (MCTs) to reflect our interest in team dynamics involving people from varying cultures (which may or may not include people of different nationalities). MCTs are likely to be characterized by “cultural value diversity,” or varying cultural values among members, and we present data in support of the hypothesis that MCT performance is influenced more significantly by cultural value diversity than by the aggregated level of any particular cultural value or demographic diversity within the teams.

Transnational teams (TNTs) - teams whose members are geographically spread across at least two co-ntries - are often plag-ed with s-bstantial member differences. These incl-de the different time zones members work in, their different c-lt-ral c-stoms and norms, and the different native lang-ages they speak. The res-lting interpersonal and task -ncertainty increase the need for member sense-making. Beca-se tr-st is the l-bricant for obtaining collaborative team performance, in this chapter we develop a concept-al model of tr-st-related sense-making in TNTs. That is, we identify factors that may infl-ence the extent to which TNT members sense that they can tr-st each other, and as a res-lt, wish to give the TNT their f-ll collaborative potential (despite the local demands also competing for their time). Importantly, we identify distinctive characteristics of TNTs that seem likely to complicate, even aggravate, the tr-st-related sense-making process described in o-r literat-re review on dyadic-relationships or domestic teams. Drawing from the tr-st and social dilemma literat-res, as well as o-r own research on TNTs, we offer interventions that may be -sed by the leader of the TNT to co-nteract the tr-st-red-cing properties of a TNT. We advocate the -se of “-niversal partic-larism” in TNTs. In so doing, we highlight the importance of eliminating the tendency to ass-me that “one size fits all” when managing people from a variety of c-lt-res. We ill-strate that the c-lt-ral val-es of “-niversalism” and “partic--larism” can co-exist. We concl-de the chapter by noting how the concept-al framework b-ilds -pon and extends prior models of tr-st and teamwork.

In this chapter we question whether current conceptualizations of global leadership competencies adequately address the dynamic and complex nature of the multinational team (MNT) context. We report findings from a study that incorporated the perspectives of MNT leaders as well as members on MNT leadership. We asked MNT leaders and their team members to identify the competencies that they believe are needed for effectively managing MNTs. The findings from this study promise to enhance our understanding about the specific nature of the MNT context, as viewed by the two parties that are at the frontline of multinational teamwork: team members and leaders. We use this dual perspective to clarify global competencies that MNT leaders may need to develop in themselves, and to propose a framework that may assist multinational organizations in identifying, rewarding, and developing MNT leaders.

We examined the effects of group structure and electronic communication patterns on the performance of 18 multinational teams over an 8-month period. The teams were composed of a mix of Western and non-Western executives located throughout the world. In these highly diverse teams, team performance did not vary as a function of demographic heterogeneity; however, demographic homogeneity within the teams’ subgroups negatively affected team performance. The following communication patterns were associated with better team performance: a hierarchical communication structure, expressions of trust in the team's competence, references to the self, and information-providing statements.

This chapter complements the one that appeared as “History of the AIB Fellows: 1975–2008” in Volume 14 of this series (International Business Scholarship: AIB Fellows on the First 50 Years and Beyond, Jean J. Boddewyn, Editor). It traces what happened under the deanship of Alan Rugman (2011–2014) who took many initiatives reported here while his death in July 2014 generated trenchant, funny, and loving comments from more than half of the AIB Fellows. The lives and contributions of many other major international business scholars who passed away from 2008 to 2014 are also evoked here: Endel Kolde, Lee Nehrt, Howard Perlmutter, Stefan Robock, John Ryans, Vern Terpstra, and Daniel Van Den Bulcke.

Argues that, whether referring to economic or bounded rationality, the notion of rationality is meaningful only in a specific cultural context. Proposes, by analogy, a culture‐driven approach for rationally managing the human resource function in a global environment. Shows how culture provides additional explanatory power for human resource management (HRM) practices – beyond what is a accounted for by political or economic structures – by comparing the USA with one of its major trading partners, Taiwan and with the People′s Republic of China (PRC), a country with which the USA has had a rather checkered relationship, on their commonly‐used practices of selection, reward systems, performance appraisal and participative management. Makes suggestions on how to reconcile cultural differences in transplanting HRM practices to China.

Most years, several AIB members are elected as AIB Fellows on account of their excellent international business scholarship, and/or past service as AIB President or Executive Secretary. The Fellows are in charge of electing Eminent Scholars as well as the International Executive and International Educator (formerly, Dean) of the Year, who often provide the focus for Plenary Sessions at AIB Conferences. Their history since 1975 covers over half of the span of the AIB and reflects many issues that dominated that period in terms of research themes, progresses and problems, the internationalization of business education and the role of international business in society and around the globe. Like other organizations, the Fellows Group had their ups and downs, successes and failures – and some fun too!