Pros
Dow always allows an employee to take as much responsibility as an individual is willing to take on. For example, when I was in technical service, the company allowed me to develop new business and develop new business models to create new value for the company and create new customers for the company. When leading a pilot plant operation for the company, the leadership supported revolutionary new ways to conduct the research such as using mathematical models in lieu of pilot operations and using manufacturing assets to make samples. Lastly when leading a new venture for the company, leadership supported new finance models to explore opportunities in India.
Cons
Like any big company, it is hard to get a decision or clarity on what needs to be done. It seems like no one ever has the power to say yes to an opportunity but there are dozens of people that can say no or veto an idea; therefore consensus building is very time consuming. Ideas needed to be well vetted with key stakeholders before decision meetings and many times what is agreed in private is not agreed in public and political postering is evident in decision making. Strategies tend to be vague so it is difficult to determine which ideas best align with the direction of the company.