Question

Extra Clean Soap Company has been manufacturing soap products, such as dishwashing liquid, bath soap, and shampoo, for over twenty years from its facility and headquarters in Dublin, Ireland. A recent opportunity allowed Extra Clean to purchase a soap company in Taiwan and another one in India. Extra Clean is now servicing both foreign and domestic markets with its products and manufacturing in all three locations as well. Recent reports from managers in the foreign facilities indicate that Extra Clean sales in Taiwan and India are low due to a lack of local responsiveness. Extra Clean managers from Ireland, India, and Taiwan are having a teleconference in an attempt to devise a strategy to improve the profitability of Extra Clean.

Which of the following questions would be most important for Extra Clean managers to evaluate in their struggle to determine the type of strategy to employ?

a. Would changing the Extra Clean marketing program improve sales in Taiwan and India?

b. What type of balance is appropriate between headquarters and country managers?

c. Would the foreign managers benefit from a training session in Ireland?

d. Should the Extra Clean headquarters relocate to Taiwan for six months?

Answer 1

b. What type of balance is appropriate between headquarters and country managers?

The answer to this particular question will provide information to determine the type of strategy to be employed.