Culture of australia & malaysia

CULTURE OF AUSTRALIA & MALAYSIA

NOR AIN ZAINAL

CULTURE• Cross-cultural literacy: an understanding of how cultural

differences across and within nations can affect the way business is practiced.

• Geert Hofstede – ‘the collective programming of the mind which distinguishes the member of one human group from another’

• Culture = Values + Norms• Values – abstracts ideas about what a group believes to be

good, right and desirable• Norms – social rules and guidelines that prescribe

appropriate behavior in particular situation

Hill C.W.L. and Requejo W.H. Global Bussiness Today 7th Edition

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN AUSTRALIA AND MALAYSIAN BUSINESS CULTURES

Malaysian

• Malays, Chinese and Indians all strive to maintain face and avoid shame both in public and private.

• Names– Chinese traditionally have 3 names–Malays do not have surnames– Indians do not use surnames

http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-etiquette/malaysia.html

• Meeting and Greeting– Initial greetings – formal and denote proper

respect.– Introduce the most important person first.– Uncomfortable shaking hands with a member of

the opposite sex.– It is important that professional titles and honorific

titles are used in business.–Malays and Indians use titles with their first name

while Chinese use titles with their surname.


• Business Card Etiquette– Exchanged after the initial introductions.– Chinese – have one side of card translated into Chinese,

gold printed.– Gov. off. – have one side of card translated into Bahasa

Malaysia.– Use two hands or the right hand only to exchange

business cards.– Examine any business card received before putting it in

business card case.– Never write on someone's card in their presence.


• Communication–Malaysians rely on non-verbal communication.–Malays may hint at a point rather than making a

direct statement. – Silence is an important element. –Malaysians may laugh at what may appear to

outsiders as inappropriate moments – used to conceal uneasiness.

– Do not show anger in public.


• Business Meetings• The most senior person on the team to enter first so that he is the

first to greet the most senior Malaysian. • It is customary for leaders to sit opposite each other around the

table. • Meetings may be conducted or continue over lunch and dinner.• Meetings, especially initial ones, are generally somewhat formal. • Treat all Malaysian participants with respect and be cautious not

to lose temper or appear irritated.• Malaysians will generally not get into in-depth discussions at the

first meeting.


Australia• Business Customs– Speak ‘direct to the point’ – honesty and directly. –Meet conflict head-on.– Rarely bear grudges and enjoy argument.– Like to innovate and employ lateral thinking to

solve problems.– Respect people who demonstrate a willingness to

overcome, adapt, and improvise. – Unlike the Malaysian hierarchical social system,

Australians are generally egalitarian: no one is considered to be better than anyone else.

http://www.cyborlink.com/besite/australia.htm

• Most businesses in Australia expect conservative attire.– Men wear a conservative dark business suit and tie.– Women may wear a dress, or skirt and blouse, for business.

• Australians take business seriously, even if it seems relaxed.– Being punctual is critical.– They are very matter-of-fact in their communication and

business dealings.– Maintaining good eye contact is extremely important.

http://www.cyborlink.com/besite/australia.htm

• Communication.– Dislike the discussion of personal, academic, or

professional achievements and doing so can create distrust.

– Sightseeing and sports are good conversational topics

• As with information, negotiations should be brief and concise.– Australians do not expect to bargain and negotiations

are minimal.– Final decisions are concentrated with the top levels of

the company, though consultation with subordinates is vital.

http://careerinfinance.com.au/2011/08/31/5-things-you-should-know-when-doing-business-in-australia/

• Meeting– Stick to the facts and figures, and avoid a lot of emotional

influence techniques, emotions and feelings are not important in Australian business etiquette.

– Shake hands when meeting and when leaving.– Exchanging business cards among professional workers.– Friendly and open, but directness and brevity are valued.– Opinions are respected, and opinionated discussions are

entertaining.– Be an active listener, and ask if do not understand

something in the conversation.

Dealing with Malaysian

• Show patience for the time taken to consult.• Build consensus to move decisions forward.• Expect tough negotiations–you must somehow persuade them to cede

to the points which the multiple interests in your company demand.• Appreciate that the negotiator can only agree tentatively and may

withdraw an undertaking after consulting with superiors.• Give attention to esprit de corps, morale, and harmony.• Don’t assume lack of assertiveness means low commitment or

motivation.• Focus on group goals and rewards.• Conducting business when surrounded by helpers means that this

person has high status in his company.• Aim to build lasting relationships.http://www.dynamicbusiness.com.au/export/understand-cultural-differences-and-

become-a-better-exporter.html

Latin America & Asia• Trade between Latin America and Asia has been

marked by a commodities-for-manufacturing pattern.• The relationship can be improved by:– Latin America and the Caribbean could learn from Asia

how to better invest in human capital, research, and innovation.

– Asia could use Latin American experiences in dealing with rapid urbanization, social policies, and agriculture development.

– Governments on both sides of the Pacific can work to lower trade barriers and increase the scope of current and future free trade agreements.

• The current trade dynamic between the northern Asian countries, and Latin America is similar to China.

• Have a strong manufacturing base ,so they will export technology.

• This technology will become increasingly competitive – offered at much lower prices.

• Will drive even more trade between the Asia-Pacific region and Latin America.

• Asian countries start increasing market share in technologies – Latin American countries need to upgrade their telecommunications and energy infrastructure.

• In contrast, the ASEAN countries, such as Vietnam and Indonesia, will become greater competitors of Latin America in light manufacturing for textiles and other goods as their infrastructure improves, labor remains cheap and their governments copy China's model.

• As the economies of Latin American countries continue to grow, they will be able to import even more technology from Asian countries – Latin American workforce more productive and efficient in the long run.

• Countries that can take the surpluses from exporting natural resources and reinvest them in improving their hard and soft infrastructure will be able to compete against the ASEAN countries for light manufacturing.