Beyond ribbon cutting: Lessons from Russian manufacturers on the nuances of opening ceremonies

摘要

Opening ceremonies for new manufacturing plants are commonplace and yet, they are surprisingly under-documented. Although these ceremonies may, at first glance, appear to simply serve as celebrations to mark the successful completion of an industrial project, they are based on symbolic actions, and usually very well planned and executed. Consequently, their underlying meaning is more complex. A study of the opening ceremonies of 56 manufacturing facilities in Russia by foreign multinationals shows that opening ceremonies also serve to demonstrate mutual acceptance of the differing motives of both the foreign investors and the local authorities for building the plant. The analysis points to recommendations regarding the timing and design of the ceremonies, as well as participants' behavior, that can ensure that such events contribute to the attainment of organizational goals.