Question

Newsoft is a computer software company that is setting up a new program design facility in a nation that the company has not had any relationship with before. Yusuf is the Human Resource manager for the entire company. He is considering two different candidates to be the Operations manager of the new facility, Maria (who is a woman) and Raj (who is a man). Maria is better qualified than Raj for this new opportunity and is Jared’s preferred choice. Jared then learns from the Property manager, who has just returned from building the new facility, that this nation has a culture and laws that favour males in the workplace. Yusuf realizes that if he chooses Maria to be the new Operations manager, he will certainly be altering local customs and possibly violating the law. Who should Yusuf send to be the Operations manager of the new facility? [Who should Yusuf send if the local customs and laws promoted a particular race and Raj was a member of that race? Who should Yusuf send if the local customs and laws promoted right-handed people and Maria was left-handed?]

Answer 1

The given case provides a dilemma that many multinational companies face when they have to balance efficiency with compliance to local customs and laws.

In my opinion Yusuf should make a thorough reference to the local laws and if the local laws are not violated by sending Maria, then he should send Maria, because customs gradually change due to changes in outlook of the people and if Maria endures at her work, she may set example for others.

In case the laws do not permit a woman to work in the area of operations, Raj can be sent to handle the operations. However, Yusuf should make a request to local authorities to reconsider the provisions not permitting women employees to work.

2. In case the culture and laws promoted members of particular race and Yusuf has the option to send Raj or Maria, he should again look as to who will be more efficient, Maria being more efficient may be sent to handle the operations but with a thorough knowledge of the culture and customs of the race at her location of work. However, again if specific laws prohibit a person from different race to work, then Raj can be sent to handle the operations.

In case of being left handed, Maria may be asked for reskiling herself to work with right hand and absorb in local culture.

The essence is that we can not change someone's gender or race and also can not let a meritorious person suffer beacuse of her gender or race. A firm can not change the laws prevailing in a society but it can certainly request the authorities for such changes in the light of the changing situation. With respect to customs and culture, the changes come gradually and businesses may become such agents of change in the outlook of the society. On the question of skills that can be learnt and adapted, a business should try to adapt to local demands.