The cultural integrator is a man or woman that acts as negotiator between a Multinational Company and a country. In recent years some international management experts have suggested that firms use a cultural integrator to deal with cultural differences they face overseas. The basic concept of integration is not new, multinational companies has long rested their products in foreign markets to ensure that many necessary modifications are made before fill scale selling begin.
Similarly, many of these firms have trained and developed their people before sending them to foreign assignment. However, in some cases the personnel are not totally prepared to deal with the day to day cultural challenge because they lack field experiences. This is where the cultural integrator enters the picture.
The integrator is responsible for helping handle problems between the subsidiary and the host cultures. Among other things, the person advises management of the consequences of those actions that can negatively affect its position in the host country and market, and works with the management in developing appropriate response.
Some companies send the cultural integrator from the home office. Many choose a host country national who has intimate knowledge of the multinationals culture and can view operations from both sides. Quite often the individual hold a staff position and ca only advise and recommend course of action; the person has no authority to demand implementation of such actions.
For these reason the integrator needs proficiency in both conceptual and human relation skills. He or she must be able to envision the relationship between the Multinational Company and host country that will result in the best fit for both. At the same the individual must be able to persuade the line managers to accept his or her point of view.
