The benefits of global expansion

This Case Study focuses on globalisation and investigates how WorleyParsons has managed its growth as a dynamic, internationally competitive global organisation. It examines how WorleyParsons has grown through a series of acquisitions and how it uses joint ventures and strategic alliances to provide services to the hydrocarbons, energy, resource and complex process industries.

By reading this Case Study students should be able to:

• Outline the concept of globalisation and discuss key pressures and opportunities arising from the global economy
• Describe the steps used by WorleyParsons to grow from a small firm of professionals into a global leader in engineering and related professional services.
• Analyse the role of WorleyParsons in meeting corporate responsibility and social objectives including their commitment to a culture of excellence.

Introduction

Globalisation is one of the greatest challenges facing modern corporations.

A global economy

Although the commercial world has always extended across international boundaries, patterns of world trade started to alter significantly during the 1970s.

Creating a global business

An organisation has to effectively expand and manage its global capabilities in order to capitalise on opportunities presented by the global commercial environment.

Expansion through success

WorleyParsons has now extended its business offering by providing services in three broad specialist areas.

Managing global operations

One of the keys to WorleyParsons' global success is their global Workshare program.

Ethical global management

Given the nature of the industry sectors that WorleyParsons services, it needs to have clear guidelines in relation to social responsibility.

Conclusion

WorleyParsons has taken on the challenge of international competitiveness and has emerged as one of the world's leading consulting engineering firms