Communication infrastructure

A considerable amount of the communication engaged in by global managers involves the use of modern technological systems. Hence, corporations interested in transnational operations invest heavily in the physical infrastructure necessary for global communication. Modern communication systems range from e-mail to videoconferencing. High-performance companies who have invested in modern methods of communication also have managers who have mastered the skills required to be on top of global communication. 3Com's managers have learnt how to make their transnational teleconferencing more efficient and successful through the following means: speaking louder, more clearly and slowly; using extensions of phone speakers so that everybody participating can hear equally loudly; being proficient at describing materials, situations, events and people; and involving people by soliciting their opinions. Sophisticated teleconferencing and videoconferencing facilities allow many managers from anywhere in the world to enter a discussion in a very natural way. Managers can even listen to minutes of what has transpired, if they enter a discussion late.

One system used by some global companies for this purpose is called Meeting Place. A practical problem faced by companies when teleconferencing and videoconferencing is timing. A conference scheduled for the morning in one part of the world will take place in the afternoon in another part, evening in a third part, and an inconvenient time of the night in yet another part. Many global companies have addressed this problem by rotating the timing, so the inconvenient timings are shared among their various locations. A further ingredient for the effective use of communication technology by global companies, suggested by O'HaraDevereaux and Johansen (1994), is that managers at all locations have equal access to the modes of communication used by that global company.