Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Culture Environment
FTU Foreign Trade University Dr. Nguyen Hai Ninh
Queuing
Transportation
Child
Punctuality
Boss
Culture is more often a source of conflict than of synergy. Cultural differences are a nuisance at best and often a disaster
WHAT IS CULTURE?
is the system of
Values
ELEMENTS OF CULTURE
Religion Language Aesthetic Political - economic philosophies Education Social structure
LANGUAGE
3,000 languages and as many as 10,000 dialects worldwide
Confucianism is not a religion, but influences behavior and shapes culture in many parts of Asia
Activity 1
Give some examples of cultural differences in the interpretation of body language. What is the role of such nonverbal communication in business relationships?
Power distance
The extent to which the less powerful members of institutions and organizations within a country expect and accept that power is distributed unequally
Low
Viet Nam Malaysia Arab Countries Mexico India France Italy Japan Spain Argentina US Germany UK Denmark Israel Austria
Example A company from Austria (low power distance) is considering entering the Vietnam (high power distance) market.
Power Distance Index 100 80 60 40 81
20
0
Uncertainty avoidance
The extent to which members of a society feel threaten by uncertain or unknown situations
High
Low
VietNam Greece Japan France Korea Arab Countries Germany Australia Canada US UK India Denmark Singapore
Example A company from France (high uncertainty avoidance) is considering investing in Denmark (low uncertainty avoidance)
100 80 60 40 20 0
Uncertainty Avoidance Index
86
23
Denmark
Try to be more flexible or open in his approach to new ideas than he may be used to Be prepared to push through agreed plans quickly as they would be expected to be realized as soon as possible
3)
Allow employees the autonomy and space to execute their tasks on their own; only guidelines and resources will be expected of him
Individualism
The tendency of people to look after themselves and their immediate family and neglect the needs of society
Low individualism
Individuals learn to think in terms of we Diplomas provide entry to higher status groups Relationship employer- employee is perceived in moral terms, like a family Hiring and promotion decisions take employees ingroup into account Management is management of groups Relationship prevails over task
High individualism
Individuals learn to think in terms of I Diplomas increase economic worth and/or self- respect Relationship employer-employee is a contract based on mutual advantage Hiring and promotion are supposed to be based on skills and rules only Management is management of individuals Task prevails over relationship
High
Low
Australia US UK Canada France Germany Spain Japan Mexico Italy Korea Singapore
Example A company from UK (high individualism) is considering investing in Mexico (low individualism)
100 80 60 96
Individualism Index
40
23 20 0 UK Communication tips for the UK manager: 1) 2) 3) 4) Note that individuals have a strong sense of responsibility for their family Remember that praise should be directed to a team rather than individuals Understand that rewards depend upon seniority and experience Mexico
Be aware that the decision making process will be rather slow, as many members across the hierarchy need to be consulted
Masculinity
The tendency within a society to emphasize traditional gender roles
Low masculinity
Dominant values: caring for others and preservation People and warm relationships are important Sympathy for the weak In family, both fathers and mothers deal with facts and feelings Stress on equality, solidarity , and quality of work life Managers use intuition and strive for consensus Resolution of conflicts by compromise and negotiation
High masculinity
Dominant values: material success and progress Money and things are important Sympathy for the strong In family, fathers deal with facts and mothers with feelings Stress on equity, competition among colleagues and performance Managers are expected to be decisive and assertive Resolution of conflicts by fighting them out
High Japan Mexico Germany UK US Arabia France Korea Portugal Denmark Sweden
Low
Example A company from Denmark ( low masculinity) is considering investing in Mexico (high masculinity)
Masculinity Index
100 80
91
60 40 20 0
8
Denmark Mexico
3)
4) 5)
Take into account that people are not interested in developing closer friendships
Communicate directly, unemotionally and concisely In order to assess others use professional identity, not family or contacts
Long-term orientation
Adaptation of traditions to a modern context Funds available for investment
Activity 2
Assumed that your corporation intend to open your business in America and Japan, from your own research about their culture, point out the culture differences and specialties. Give some recommendations for your boss?