EXPLORING GLOBAL COMPETENCE OF AMERICAN AND MEXICAN MANAGERS WORKING IN A MULTICULTURAL ENVIRONMENT

Abstract

ABSTRACT Companies need managers who have the ability to deal with the complexity that comes from having a global business and transacting business activities all over the world. Thus, universities should prepare students with global competencies: (Knowledge-- understanding global business; Skills--ability to work with other cultures; Attitudes--openness and flexibility; and Experiences--interaction abroad). These competencies are essential for conducting business in a multicultural international environment. Educating globally competent students capable of thriving in the twenty-first century workforce is an undeniable thrust of international education. This research seeks to determine if American and Mexican managers conducting business in a multicultural environment in the Southwestern USA have global competence (knowledge, skills, attitudes and experiences) to be globally competitive. The results show that there is a very low level of these global competences among both Mexican and American entrepreneurs. Although the Mexican managers located in the USA have higher levels of global competences than American managers, both groups could benefit from additional international training. Consequently, American universities must implement strategies to improve international education in this area. Keywords Global Competence, Mexican & American Managers, Multicultural, Business Education