Knowledge@wharton

Corporate leaders must build international organizations to compete in today’s economy and be prepared to defend globalization at home according to Klaus Kleinfeld chief executive of the German electrical and engineering conglomerate Siemens AG. Speaking at a recent Wharton Leadership Lecture Kleinfeld said U.S. concerns about the sale of port assets to a Dubai-based firm and French resistance to the sale of yogurt-maker Danone -- which French officials called a ”national treasure” -- highlight growing fears that globalization comes at the cost of jobs in developed countries. He also addressed the need for labor unions to be more flexible offshoring concerns the benefits of conglomerates and the qualities he looks for in potential leaders. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.