Coordination is a major problem for the global firm.
Coordination is the process of aligning and integrating the activities, resources, and efforts of different units or individuals within an organization or a network of organizations. Coordination is a major problem for the global firm because it involves managing the complexity, diversity, and uncertainty of operating across multiple countries, cultures, and markets. Global firms face various challenges in coordinating their strategies, structures, systems, processes, and people, such as:
Balancing the need for global integration and local responsiveness, which requires finding the optimal degree of standardization and adaptation of products, services, policies, and practices across different regions and markets.
Managing the trade-offs between centralization and decentralization, which involves deciding how much authority and autonomy to delegate to the local units versus retaining at the headquarters or regional hubs.
Fostering collaboration and communication across geographical, functional, and cultural boundaries, which requires overcoming the barriers of distance, time zones, languages, and norms.
Leveraging the benefits of diversity and avoiding the pitfalls of fragmentation, which entails creating a shared vision, values, and culture that can unify the diverse and dispersed workforce and stakeholders.
Coping with the environmental turbulence and uncertainty, which demands developing the capabilities to sense, respond, and adapt to the changing customer needs, competitor moves, and regulatory requirements.
Coordination is essential for the global firm to achieve efficiency, effectiveness, innovation, and competitiveness in the global market. However, coordination is not easy or costless, as it requires investing in various mechanisms and tools, such as:
Formal structures and systems, such as organizational design, reporting lines, performance measurement, and control systems, that define the roles, responsibilities, and relationships among the different units and individuals.
Informal practices and processes, such as culture, norms, values, and routines, that shape the behaviors, attitudes, and interactions of the organizational members.
Information and communication technologies, such as intranet, email, video conferencing, and social media, that facilitate the exchange of information and knowledge across the organization.
Human resource management, such as recruitment, training, development, compensation, and motivation, that attract, retain, and develop the talent and skills of the global workforce.
Coordination by principles, such as mission, vision, strategy, and goals, that provide the direction, guidance, and alignment for the organization.
How many trends have drastically altered the way organizations use technology?
According to the CITM certification, there are six trends that have drastically altered the way organizations use technology. These are:
Cloud computing: The delivery of computing services over the internet, such as servers, storage, databases, networking, software, analytics, and intelligence. Cloud computing enables organizations to access scalable, flexible, and cost-effective IT resources on demand.
Big data and analytics: The collection, processing, and analysis of large and complex data sets to generate insights and value. Big data and analytics enable organizations to improve decision making, optimize operations, enhance customer experience, and create new products and services.
Social media and collaboration: The use of online platforms and tools to communicate, share, and interact with others. Social media and collaboration enable organizations to engage with customers, employees, partners, and stakeholders, as well as to foster innovation and knowledge sharing.
Mobile and wireless: The use of devices and networks that allow users to access information and services anytime and anywhere. Mobile and wireless enable organizations to extend their reach, improve productivity, and offer convenience and personalization.
Internet of things (IoT): The network of physical objects that are embedded with sensors, software, and other technologies to connect and exchange data with other devices and systems. IoT enables organizations to monitor and control their assets, processes, and environments, as well as to create new business models and opportunities.
Cybersecurity: The protection of information systems and data from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, modification, or destruction. Cybersecurity enables organizations to safeguard their assets, reputation, and trust, as well as to comply with laws and regulations.
McKinsey Technology Trends Outlook 2023
Which term describes dormant code added to software and triggered at a predetermined time or by a predetermined event?
A logic bomb is a type of malicious code that is inserted into a software program and remains dormant until a specific condition or event occurs, such as a certain date, time, or user action. When the condition is met, the logic bomb activates and executes its harmful payload, which can range from deleting or corrupting data, to displaying unwanted messages, to crashing the system. Logic bombs are often used by disgruntled employees or hackers to sabotage an organization's IT infrastructure or to extort money or information. Logic bombs are different from keyloggers, spam, and viruses, which are explained below:
A keylogger is a software or hardware device that records every keystroke made by a user on a computer or mobile device, usually for the purpose of stealing passwords, personal information, or other sensitive data. Keyloggers can be installed by hackers through phishing, trojan viruses, or physical access to the device. Keyloggers do not wait for a specific condition to activate, but rather run continuously in the background and transmit the captured data to a remote server or storage device.
Spam is any kind of unwanted, unsolicited, or irrelevant digital communication that is sent or posted to a large number of recipients or places, typically for the purposes of advertising, phishing, spreading malware, or disrupting normal operations. Spam can be delivered via email, text message, phone call, or social media. Spam does not contain hidden code that executes a harmful action, but rather relies on the user's response or interaction to achieve its goal, such as clicking a link, opening an attachment, or providing personal information.
A virus is a type of malware that infects a computer or mobile device by attaching itself to another program or file and replicating itself when the host program or file is executed. A virus can have various harmful effects, such as deleting or modifying data, consuming system resources, displaying unwanted messages, or opening backdoors for hackers. A virus can spread from one device to another through networks, removable media, or email attachments. A virus does not require a specific condition to activate, but rather runs whenever the infected program or file is executed.
Logic Bomb Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster
What is a Keylogger? How to Detect a Keylogger? - Fortinet
__________ describes a group of objects with similar properties.
