GEC Scenario #8: Beijing Plant Start-up

As an employee working for a U.S.-based multinational corporation, you have been assigned to serve as site manager for a new plant start-up in Beijing. Five Chinese firms are contracted to build the plant’s main structures and systems, and every morning you meet with their representatives. You want to use this meeting to discuss and address problems as they surface. However, you find that the representatives are reluctant to speak up, are not very candid with their responses, and often look uncomfortable when important issues are raised. How would you handle this situation?

1. Have regular individual meetings with each representative and also discuss major issues with the entire group on an as-needed basis.
2. Tell the representatives that during meetings they need to speak up about important problems in their areas of responsibility.
3. Contact representatives individually via e-mail to discuss problems with the project.
4. Tell the representatives that if they continue to be uncooperative, their contracts might be cancelled.
5. Contact higher-level managers in each of the five contractor firms to express your frustrations.