Coke

IHRM Improvement Plan: The Coca-Cola Company’s Training and Development

Pamela N. Hornsby

The 21st Century Global Workplace

2857 Spicewood Ln NW

Kennesaw GA 30152

Telephone: (770) 499-7886

Email: phornsby@capella.edu

Instructor: Edward Sherbert, Ph. D.

Abstract

The Coca-Cola Company is the largest refreshment manufacturer and distributor in the world. Their company began in 1886 with just a pharmacy soda fountain, and has expanded worldwide to include acquisition of other refreshment companies. With products and employees in over 200 countries, they have no doubt mastered the process of global expansion. With each new expansion, however, the company has had to become aware of new laws and cultures. Training and Development is a prominent factor in successful expansion whether at home or abroad. With each new change in the company, such as new products, new methods of manufacturing, bottling, distribution, etc., this required proper training of employees worldwide to continue their upward growth. Their first expansions were to Canada, Panama, Cuba, Puerto Rico, France, by 1920. This paper will examine the elements of training and development program characteristics and offer tips for improvement to the Coca-Cola Company from an international human resource management viewpoint.

History

The Coca-Cola Company is an American multinational beverage corporation and manufacturer, retailer and marketer of non-alcoholic beverage concentrates and syrups. They are headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. The company is best known for its principal product Coca-Cola, invented in 1886 by pharmacist John Stith Pemberton in Columbus, Georgia.

Asa Candler purchased the Coca-Cola formula and brand in 1889 and he incorporated The Coca-Cola Company in 1892. Besides its namesake Coca-Cola beverage, Coca-Cola currently offers more than 500 brands in over 200 countries or territories. The company operates a franchised...