Global Mindset : Enhancing a Company's Global Approach

Abstract: How is it possible for organizations to manage the fast paced changes and imperative demands that increased globalization implies? In order to become successful in the global market, it is vital to be aware of cultural influence on business and how to approach diversity. Consequently, management plays a significant role, and the challenge is therefore to cultivate a global way of thinking among managers. The main purpose of this thesis, which is to create a deeper understanding of a company’s global approach has lead to the following question: How can managers increase their global mindsets so as to improve a company’s global approach? As Permobil is an international company eager to expand, we have focused on understanding their global approach using a hermeneutic perspective. In order to do this, ten interviews with managers at Permobil have been conducted. A comparison between managers in Sweden and the United States has been performed, and furthermore we have searched for signs indicative of a global mindset. The method of reasoning has been deductive, which implies that the empirical results have been analyzed together with recognized theories. This research shows that managers in Sweden and the United States possess a number of valuable qualities that contribute to a global way of thinking, although there are differences between the two countries. A prerequisite is that managers understand the value of a global way of thinking. In order to stay successful internationally, the Permobil Corporation should for instance increase the global communication, strive for a more diverse workforce and attain a better balance between local and global focus. Our conclusion is that the managers more actively have to look for improvements and stay open-minded when facing diversity. This would contribute to the development of their global mindsets, which in turn would meliorate the company’s global outlook.