As the world becomes increasingly globalized, today’s companies expect to hire engineers who are effective in a global business environment. Although you can find many books covering globalization, most of them are aimed at business, management, or social sciences. Developed with engineers in mind, Global Engineering: Design, Decision Making, and Communication covers the theory, models, and decision making tools for incorporating globalization into engineering work.
Written by a multidisciplinary team of experts in industrial, mechanical, and manufacturing engineering and organizational communications, this book is a primer on how to improve designs, make better decisions, and communicate more effectively in an international working environment. The contents of the book reflect the authors’ multidisciplinary perspective and their experience in working on projects around the world. The book presents globalization as a phenomenon affecting the way companies operate and their engineering functions. It uses a case study format based on system improvement projects and real industrial projects, ranging from design to supply chain and logistics problems. This case study format allows for a natural presentation of critical technical and non-technical concepts and their complex interactions.
The challenge that engineers face in a global environment results from the need to be aware of interdependencies and to be able to determine which ones are most important in each situation. Unique in its focus on engineering, this book provides a framework for how to better design, make decisions, and communicate in the new era of global competition.
Includes case studies that cover design, materials, lean manufacturing, logistics, and their interactions with global cultures
Explores the non-technical "soft skills" engineers need to augment their technical know-how
Describes the Global Engineering Model (GEM) and how it helps engineers gain a global perspective
Presents a formal decision making methodology for considering multiple quantitative and qualitative information
Preface
Section I : Engineering in a Global Age
Chapter 1 : A Global Engineering Model Chapter 2 : Decision Making in Global Projects
Section II : MEPO Manages Culture
Chapter 3 : USAHP Confronts Mexico’s Subcultures Chapter 4 : Implementing a Global Engineering Perspective
Section III : SmartDrill Stays Home
Chapter 5 : Do What You’re Told, and Don’t Confuse Me with Facts Chapter 6 : The Wisdom of Getting Everyone Involved: Communication and (Un)coordination at HOCH
Section IV : Technical Consulting and Organizational Recovery at Chips
Chapter 7 : Bucket Brigades Work, but Why?
