Industrial Clustering Leadership in Brownsville, Texas and Matamoros, Mexico

Abstract

The purpose of this case study was to understand the leadership forms and values that could affect organizational practices of an industrial cluster in the Brownsville/Matamoros region. A sample of 30 leaders from manufacturing companies in Brownsville, Texas, and Matamoras, Mexico participated in interviews and surveys. The analysis of the interview and survey data generated 12 major themes that emerged regarding the leadership forms, values, and cross-cultural challenges pertinent to the industrial cluster in the region. Participants viewed marked differences between American and Mexican leadership strategies, with emphasis on differences in procedural and power structures. Unifying goals and a commitment to learning about and understanding culture, family, and community may help foster respect and acceptance of cultural differences across the border. Cluster priorities for leadership include optimizing work conditions, education and training, resource utilization, and focusing on quality products and customer-oriented leadership. Planning, organization, and decentralized knowledge sharing, involving the combined knowledge, understanding, and experience of leaders, require communication, collaboration, and cross-functional teamwork. Education and training for current and future leaders and employees, with reasonable goals aligned with a unified vision for the cluster concept, encompasses measurable performance assessments based on goal achievement, supported by intrinsic and extrinsic rewards. The results from this study led to specific recommendations for leaders of the industrial sectors of Brownsville, Texas, and Matamoras, Mexico. The study concluded with limitations of the study and suggestions for future research based on the major thematic findings from this case study.