RESEARCH FOCUS  -  INTERNATIONAL MANAGEMENT

Site Co-ordination

Research by Migrators, amongst others, has shown that international projects are frequently undertaken between partners who are based at a number of sites. Often these sites are separated by hundreds of kilometers. Research has also shown that it is very important that all sites are aware of the current and anticipated work load and approach. Good co-ordination will help ensure success in a number of ways:

	Ensure work is undertaken on essential areas
	Ensure work is undertaken when needed
	Identify supporting work
	Improve allocation of resources
	Prevent unnecessary duplication

However, co-ordinating between the sites can be difficult. This is especially so in an international environment, when a number of other elements also have to be taken into consideration, these include:

	Communications
	Geography
	Language
	Logistics
	Time zones

Co-ordination should be multi way, with each site informing the others of events, or data request etc. This will help to ensure that any temporary difficulties at one site can be overcome by the others. There are a number of mechanisms that can be provided to improve communications, these can include:

	Internet web sites & chat areas
	Presentations & discussion groups
	Reports and newsletters
	Site visits and co-ordination meetings
	Video / audio conferencing

Good co-ordination will help the success of the work. It can also help to prevent problems and risks arising. 

Related areas within this Research Focus topic,  include:

Meetings     Communications    Language

Additional information is also available on this Research Focus topic, these areas include:

 Assessment     Culture     Training     Resources      

Return to the  Introduction  page of this Research Focus topic.