Michelle (Kyoung) Huo and Professor C. Brooklyn Derr, Global Management Center
Global Leadership Manager Program (GLMP) is a twelve-week program at Brigham Young University (BYU) for the general managers of Hyundai Corporation, one of the largest company groups in South Korea, to experience a semi-MBA course. The program, otherwise known as the Hyundai Heavy Industries program, is held twice a year with twenty to thirty Hyundai executives from South Korea for 10 years. The group is divided into two based on English language proficiency. The courses are taught in English by faculty from BYU’s Marriott School of Management and guest presenters regarding Business/Communication English and Business Management Theory and Practice.
Originally, the preliminary research concentrated on the Intensive Change Management Program (ICMP) and executives of LG Electronics. ICMP is a program where twenty to thirty senior human resources managers of LG Electronics, a Fortune Global 500 company and the second largest company group in South Korea, are taught a wide range of change management courses in English by BYU’s Marriott School of Management. Since 2001, this four-week summer program in Provo, Utah consists of classroom instruction, project mentoring, experiential learning, plant visits, and team-building trips. The topics include foundation for change management theory and methods.
My research concerned the effects of ICMP on the English competency and comfort level. My hypothesis was to test that ICMP has improved the English competency and comfort level of the LG Executives in an English-speaking environment. To evaluate the effects of the program, the participants who served as a control group were to complete a survey after the completion of the program. My task was to evaluate the surveys and determine if ICMP made a significant difference in the group’s English competency and comfort level.
This research produced many obstacles. Upon agreeing to cooperate with the research, LG Electronics could not be contacted. Furthermore, the group decided not to participate in the program during the research year. After many efforts of initiating contact, I learned that there was a significant change within the organizational structure of LG Electronics, which led to a different agenda for the company. If I had been informed in advance, then the research would not have been in such delay.
On the contrary, Hyundai Corporation and the GLMP agreed to cooperate with the research. The group was easier to facilitate the research because they came more frequently throughout the year and GLMP is an on-going process for more than a decade. GLMP and ICMP are both very similar in structure and objective — language training in the business sector. The research changed in detail but not in the scope or objective of the original research. The hypothesis would alter in its wordings to: GLMP has improved the English competency and comfort level of Hyundai Executives in an English-speaking environment. I expected to find positive results concerning the program.
The findings of the survey results were positive in supporting the hypothesis. According to the executives, their English competency and comfort level improved after attending the GLMP. The executives were more comfortable in an English-speaking environment, and felt even more confident in speaking in an English-speaking environment. They are more comfortable attending an English-speaking business meetings and conferences. The program was helpful in the development of their English speaking and listening skills. This implies that the one of the strengths of GLMP is increasing the English competency and comfort level.
Overall, despite the delay and lack of communication by the former control group, this was a valuable experience for me. It was a great opportunity for me to network and to experience all facets in completing a research. It strengthened my views on the importance of communication in all levels and forms. I plan to share the results with GLMP to help their program for future reference.