General Motors: International Management and Cross-Cultural Competence

International management is pursuing organizational objectives in international and cross-cultural settings. In simplified terms, large companies attempt to establish an organized and well developed business in foreign countries. A perfect example of this is General Motors (GM.) GM is a U.S. based business, however, the company has established relations in several countries, including China, employing approximately 284,000 people around the world and manufacturing cars and trucks in 35 different countries.

According to "Management" by Kreitner, cross-cultural competence is a combination of cultural intelligence- "the ability of an outsider to read individual behavior, group dynamics, and situations in a foreign culture as well as the locals do"- and a geocentric attitude, which is a world oriented view that draws o the best talent from around the world.

GM demonstrates great cross-cultural competence by hiring 284,000 employees around the world who help run a company that produces motor vehicles in 35 different countries around the world that are exclusive to each region's needs and desires, therefore making the company quite successful.