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7/31/2019 Intercultural Communication - CW2
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Radisson Blu SkyCity Hotel
Stockholm-Arlanda
Arlanda Airport,
P.O. Box 82
190 45 Stockholm,
Ms. Kitty Cheung
Flat B, 50/F Tower 1,
Sorrento, TST, KLN
Hong Kong
2nd May, 2011
Dear Ms. Cheung
At first, we would like to thanks and welcome you to join our Front Office
Department. We know that you are powerful person that we sure that you have enough
knowledge to lead our team be a most successful hotel in Stockholm.
We know that is difficult to make decision working in Stockholm since here is
different between Hong Kong. In case to let you understand more about our country,we are here to take the opportunity in introduce you some relative information and it
may have different with your home country.
In this document, we will analysis three potential communication barriers
regarding the city that might be useful and have opportunities to know its behavior and
culture such as culture dimensions - hofstede, business etiquette and woman at work.
We hope those factors will guide you have successful career in here.
We are looking forward to be your colleague and work with you. If you have any
questions about this please do not hesitate to contact us and we are willing to be of
assist you.
Best Regards,
Amy Ng Ching Ying
Manager of Room Division
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Intercultural Communication
CW 2 Individual Report
Location: Stockholm
Prepared For: Mr. Stephan Earnhart
Prepared by: Ching Ying Ng, Amy (3H2)
Module: HM 302
Date: 20th
May 2011
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Table of Content
Stockholm ...................................................................................................................... 3Introduction ............................................................................................................ 3Life Style ................................................................................................................ 3Education ............................................................................................................... 3
Cultural DimensionsHofstede .................................................................................... 4Power Distance ...................................................................................................... 4Individualism ......................................................................................................... 5Uncertainty Avoidance ........................................................................................... 5Masculinity ............................................................................................................ 6Long-term Orientation ........................................................................................... 6
Stereotyping ................................................................................................................... 7Safety ..................................................................................................................... 7Language ................................................................................................................ 7Food Customs ........................................................................................................ 7Public Holidays ...................................................................................................... 8
Etiquette ......................................................................................................................... 9Introduction ............................................................................................................ 9Communication ...................................................................................................... 9Meetings and Negotiations .................................................................................... 9
Recommendations ........................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.References .................................................................................................................... 11
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Stockholm
Introduction
Stockholm is the largest city and also is the capital of Sweden. In early 13th
century, Stockholm has grown and emerged as a thriving, modern European city the
exudes confidence at all levels, be they financial, cultural, social or gastronomic.
(Columbus Travel Media Ltd., 2011). Especially have powerful in industries and
financial part which is the top of the North Europe. Most of the citizen has strongly
English ability thats why there have many multinational corporation company located
in Stockholm. This place has very high efficiency, stable political system,
well-educated, dedicated and possessed vision of the labor force. As a market, the
rapid development of Stockholm has become an important hub for the Baltic region
and also in the European market.
Life Style
The Swedish people are much enjoyed and like of their simple lifestyle thus they
do like too magnificent and they like to share as well. Swedes have a concept is live
by Logom which is mean they dont expect too much and just enough thing for
their life is good.
Education
Education is very important in Sweden which is same as Hong Kong. Both of the
governments provide free education until secondary school and they are compulsory.
The Swedish people are having high education, because the government has strongly
support to most of the universities and college thus this benefit only for local people.
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Cultural DimensionsHofstede
According to Hofstede (1991), Swedens cultural behaviors can be separate to 5
parts of characteristic dimensions and due to those cultural dimensions will represent
you what is their cultural environment at this area and it is useful for you to gain more
knowledge and understand more cultural about this place. The following table is
going to show the score of Hofstede in Sweden, Hong Kong and also compare the
score of world average:
Region PowerDistance
Individualism UncertaintyAvoidance
Masculinity Long-termOrientation
Sweden 31 71 29 5 22
Hong Kong 68 25 29 57 96
World
Average
57 44 65 49 46
Table 1. The 5 model of professor Greet Hofstede
Power Distance
Compares to Hong Kong and World Average, Sweden have lower power distance
index which is 31 that mean it has a low power distance culture. For example when
Swedish people need to make decision then they will tend to be democracy and the
consultation, and they only accept equally and their culture is non-heresy whatever in
large or small company. As mention before their concept is Logom, when they
introduce themself will use the normal way and they prefer to call someones last
name instead of the full name. In business environment, different levels of employees
are very respecting each other. Especially manager and supervisors level they want to
make sure is equally and fair for every employee. And Hong Kong is totally
difference in business environment, for example, most of manager and supervisors
level they cant do the something like Sweden because they only use their own feeling
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to respect the people and it is not equally and fair.
Individualism
Compare with world average 40 and Hong Kong is 25 and the individualism of
Sweden index is 71, it means Sweden have a high individualism index. As they are
individualistic, everyone is cheered to stand out, be distinctive, express and do their
own thing by themselves. Also they have individual right to ensure independence,
choice and freedom of speech. In the society, they usually make a deal than building
long-term relationships. As they form large number of looser relationships and they
are less focus on group. In the business environment, they negotiations are small in
numbers. Some of them are selfish as they are looking for personal gains and give
emphasis to personal achievement at the expense of group goals. As the result, it
forms in a strong common sense of competition. Hong Kong loyalty to the collectivist
culture is essential. Foster good community relations, everyone needs the
responsibility for other members of their groups.
Uncertainty Avoidance
Compare with world average 65, the uncertainty avoidance index of Hong Kong
and Sweden are same which is 29, it means Sweden and Hong Kong have a low
uncertainty avoidance index. Sweden is not very emotion and rely less on rules; they
like to be more flexibility and pragmatism, in the business, they are willing to accept
changes and they dare to take risk in their business, they always have different opinions.
On the other hand, Hong Kong has many different cultures within this city and also
have many ideas can come together; they will not accept uncertain things and have a
freedom to give opinion.
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Masculinity
Compare with world average 48, Hong Kong is 57 and the masculinity index of
Sweden is 5, it means Sweden has a low masculinity index. There are a lot of
differentiation & discrimination in society and power structure, they think men and
women should be equal, and also, their country has a long history of equal between
genders. In the business & society, Swedish treat that as a collaboration rather than
competition and there is no difference when dealing with male and female. Moreover,
they prefer to have flexible working hours and long vacation. For example: have a
person in Sweden, he mentioned about he got 18 months parental leave and he is not
unemployed, one of the welfare in Sweden is you still get paid during the leave.
Long-term Orientation
Compare with world average 52, Hong Kong is 96 and the long term orientation
index of Sweden is 40, it means Sweden have a low long term orientation index as we
can also called short term orientation. They are open to change their ways and
respect others. Hong Kong is a long-term orientation city, because according to Asian
cultures show that the social dimension of time perspective, attitude and perseverance.
In Social life, the relationship begins and ends with the negotiation and the Swedish
behave in general is being very focused on reaching a result which means the truth.
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Stereotyping
Safety
Stockholm is a very safety city for visitors and workers. There is no need to
avoid certain areas or what kind of transportation. Sergels Torg is a well-known social
place which is drug transaction place, when you pass by dont afraid because will not
threat your safety. As usual, like Hong Kong low crime rate does mean no crime, so
you should keep always vigilant and avoid go the darkest and back streets and tunnel.
Do not leave valuables things in the car or in the locker room and remember looking
at your package in a crowded place. Most of the store and shop are accepting credit
and debit card so that no need to bring larger amounts of cash with you.
Language
Swedish is the first language in Stockholm. As mention before, Swedish people
have very high education thus most of them can speak fluent English which the
almost the same compare to Hong Kong. Therefore, you wont worry about cannot
communication with the local person.
Food Customs
Buffet is very popular and famous in Stockholm, have many different kind of
food, like cheeses, salad, meat, fish and etc. They always have buffet in Christmas,
Easter, Midsummer, wedding banquet and other celebration. Fish is the main food for
Swedish diet and the other common food include sausage, cheese, root vegetables,
potatoes and etc. Our hotel will provide meal as buffet in your working day in the
staff canteen and it is quite similar what Hong Kong hotels do something.
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Public Holidays
Stockholm has 13 public holidays. As you know, hospitality industry is non-stops
operating business and hotel cannot promise you have day off on those days but can
promise you can give your holidays later on. And our hotel has offer double paid on
public holiday thus we need more staff to run hotel in busy holidays.
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Etiquette
Introduction
The very important thing is first impression because people will decide when you
arrive in first day. Please be attention, you must according to our hotels appearance
standard to show that you are professional and which is necessary. Be well
preparation before you work in our team, for example introduce yourself before the
team with eye contact and confidence. Working in Stockholm is different because
there are small gap between managers and employees compares to Hong Kong, but as
we mention before the Swedish people are very direct, if you did something wrong
they will adjust you immediately.
Communication
During the business trip, the Swedish people are formal dressing when they show
up and will use the formal or academic title to call the person. They are very straight
forward and use direct method to tell you what they want and need, so do not try to
guess what they say. And never interrupt other when they are talking or concentrate
on their own work.
Meetings and Negotiations
Swedish people use 24 hour clock format to making appointment to reduce the
misunderstanding and they will not cancel the meeting at the last minute. If they are
late, they will call and explain what happen. Before start the meeting, will shake
hands with everyone and leaving the meeting as well. And remember standing until
someone invites you to sit down. At last, must follow up the meeting through e-mail
or mail with all agreement.
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Conclusion
To sum up, this report included some information which is the basic data of
Stockholm culture. For example like Hofstede dimension, stereotyping and business
etiquette which is important information for working in Stockholm.
Stockholm has low distance index regarding form Hofstede Dimension Cultural.
This is the reason why they have equality the level within the society and equal
treatment in their organization as well. Stockholm is the place which is punctuality
and have very well organized within the business environment provide sense of time
and productivity as the most fundamental values.
Overall working in Stockholm is a litter bit different compare working in Hong
Kong, and you should respect and accept the culture different. This report could be
helpful for you to understand Stockholm and within short period, and hold you have
successful career in Stockholm and have enjoy your life in here.
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References
Columbus Travel Media Ltd. (2011) World Travel Guide History [Internet]
Available form: [Accessed 3 May 2011]
Greet-Hofstede (1991) itmi International Hosfstede [Inertnet] Available form:
[Accessed 3 May 2011]
Baidu (2011) Baidu Stockholm culture [Inernet] Available form:
[Accessed 3 May 2011]
Earthy Family (2010) Earthy Family Stockholm culture [Internet] Available form:
[Accessed 3 May 2011]
Every Culture (2011) Every CultureStockholm culture [Internet] Available form: