Question 4): What do you see as the most salient cultural differences between your chosen country and

the UK? How will these cultural dissimilarities impact your business strategy?

Answer: According to Prof. Geert Hofstede “Culture is more often a source of conflict than of synergy.
Cultural differences are a nuisance at best and often a disaster.” Prof Geert Hofstede did a research and
on the basis of his research, he came to the conclusion that there are cultural differences between the
different nations. So it is essential to understand the business culture of each nation before going for
business and entering into a new foreign market.

In order to make his research understandable to people, Geert Hofstede gave five cultural dimensions
based on which it is possible to know the culture of each nation. We will be using these cultural
dimensions to outline the cultural differences between Poland and UK.

United Kingdom:

The United Kingdom is a nation of cultural and ethnic diversity consisting of four countries each with a
clear identity: England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. A thoroughly multicultural society, the
UK continues to blend its rich cultural heritage with a modern and innovative outlook.

Business culture in UK:

Indirectness – The British are renowned for their polite and courteous nature. Their conversations may
be ambiguous and full of subtleties and importance should be given to facial expressions.

‘Stiff upper lip’ – This is a term which is used to understand that in British culture; open display of
emotions should be avoided and business should be done with an air of formality and detachment.

Humour – In British culture, importance of humour is inevitable. Humour is frequently used as a

defense mechanism, often in the form of self-depreciation or irony.

Poland:

A unique history and geography has shaped the customs and distinctive personality of the Polish
people. There has been significant economic, social and political reform culminating in Poland by
joining NATO in 1999 and the European Union in 2004. Today, Poland emerges as a culturally rich
and proud nation where the contemporary meets the traditional.
Business culture in Poland:

Commitment – Polish people are commited towards their work and involed in the life of the country.
Poles are proud to have maintained an unbroken cultural identity and value their recently attained
autonomy.

Relationships – As a family-focused society, the Polish are reliant on the building and maintaining of
close personal relationships. For an outsider, it is necessary to earn the trust of polish acquaintances
before a close relationship forms.

Roman Catholicism – At various points in this country’s history, religion has played a central role in
Polish society. As a result, Roman Catholicism serves as the foundation of Polish identity. It continues
to provide both the country and its people with a basic sense of solidarity and constancy for the future.

Geert Hofstede cultural dimensions:

Power Distance Index (PDI) : according to this index, what can be inferred is the extent to which the
less powerful members of organizations and institutions (like the family) accept and expect that power
is distributed unequally. In appendix 1, we have seen that in UK people don’t accept that power should
be unequally distributed where as in Poland; there is unequal distribution of power.

Individualism (IDV): In UK, individualism is on its peak, 90%, which shows that people there are
concerned About their own individual gains and are not integrated into groups whereas in Poland,
collectivism prevails and it shows that people are integrated into strong, cohesive in-groups, often
extended families (with uncles, aunts and grandparents) which continue protecting them in exchange
for unquestioning loyalty. This dissimilarity is helpful to us because by working in a collectivistic
business environment, the prospect of our product gaining wider market reach is high because of
peoples’ integrative nature and our product will be .

Masculinity (MAS): UK is more of a masculine society in which more emphasis is given on being
assetive and competitive whereas in Poland, it is on an equal balance between masculinity and feminty
whear both being competitive and assertive nad being acring and modes behaviour is being exhibited
by people. Thjis culture odf Poland will help the company to achieve its organizational goal and will
also help the company in being able to gain agood reputation with employees and society by taking
care of athe employees needs.

Uncertainty Avoidance Index (UAI) deals with a society's tolerance for uncertainty and ambiguity; it
ultimately refers to man's search for Truth. It indicates to what extent a culture programs its members
to feel either uncomfortable or comfortable in unstructured situations. Unstructured situations are
novel, unknown, surprising, different from usual. Uncertainty avoiding cultures try to minimize the
possibility of such situations by strict laws and rules, safety and security measures, and on the
philosophical and religious level by a belief in absolute Truth; 'there can only be one Truth and we
have it'. People in uncertainty avoiding countries are also more emotional, and motivated by inner
nervous energy. The opposite type, uncertainty accepting cultures, are more tolerant of opinions
different from what they are used to; they try to have as few rules as possible, and on the philosophical
and religious level they are relativist and allow many currents to flow side by side. People within these
cultures are more phlegmatic and contemplative, and not expected by their environment to express
emotions.

Long-Term Orientation (LTO) versus short-term orientation: this fifth dimension was found in a study
among students in 23 countries around the world, using a questionnaire designed by Chinese scholars It
can be said to deal with Virtue regardless of Truth. Values associated with Long Term Orientation are
thrift and perseverance; values associated with Short Term Orientation are respect for tradition,
fulfilling social obligations, and protecting one's 'face'. Both the positively and the negatively rated
values of this dimension are found in the teachings of Confucius, the most influential Chinese
philosopher who lived around 500 B.C.; however, the dimension also applies to countries without a
Confucian heritage.