MANAGING GLOBAL COMMUNICATION-NETWORKS - KEY CHALLENGES FOR THE NINETIES

This paper is aimed at helping telecom executives understand and meet the challenges faced by multinational corporations operating in a rapi dly changing global environment. Results from a survey of over 100 of the largest US multinational corporations (MNCs) and telephone intervi ews with over a quarter of these firms are discussed in the first half of the paper. The primary results from this two-step study were: (a) the type and intensity of telecom problems faced by MNCs are affected by both internal and external factors; (b) the deregulation of domesti c telecommunication services has been a mixed blessing to US MNCs; and , (c) nations are imposing hidden communication costs on MNCs using a wide variety of legislation. The second half of the paper provides a d etailed action plan for telecom managers to deal with these challenges . The primary audience for this paper includes practising telecom mana gers, information systems executives, strategic planners, network cons ultants and senior executives in global firms.