Boundary spanners and operating across borders: Experiences of a French MNE in Vietnam.

What differences in culture and local network characteristics can multinational enterprises (MNEs) encounter when operating across borders, how can these influence the strategizing activities of MNEs, and what value can “boundary spanner” individuals present to MNEs in navigating these differences? This case introduces several vital considerations in this context, inviting students to examine the experiences of a potential boundary spanner, Cai, and her French employer as the company began expanding its operations in her home country, Vietnam. Aspects of the individual protagonist, case firm, and case context have been removed or altered for anonymity purposes, as well as some elements added for educational purposes.