Understanding business culture

7/30/2019 Understanding business culture

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Culture:

Integrated system of learned behavior patternsthat are characteristic of the members of any

given society


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The process of adjusting and

adapting to a specific cultureother than ones own

Is one of the keys to success in

international operations.

Acculturation:


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Elementsofculture

Language

Religion

Values and

attitude

Social

Institutions

Education

Aesthetics

MaterialelementsManners

and

customs


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Verbal:

Ex: American English Vs British English

When the British say that negotiations bombed, meaning that they

were a success, which to an American could convey exactly the opposite message.

If you want to kill a message, translate it

Non-Verbal:

Ex: Arabs and Latin Americans like to stand close to people when they talk. If an

American, who may not be comfortable at such close range, backs away from an

Arab, this might incorrectly be taken as a negative reaction.

Language has been described as the mirror of culture.


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Defines the ideal for life, which in turn are reflected in the values and

attitudes of societies and individuals.

Major holidays are often tied to religion

Religion No. of followers Countries

Christianity 2 billion All over world

Islam 1.2 billion Tanzania, Central Asia, Western China, India,

and Malaysia,

Hinduism 860 million India, Nepal, Malaysia, Guyana, Suriname, andSri Lanka

Buddhism 360 million Asia, India, Sri Lanka, and Japan


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Values are shared beliefs or group norms that have been internalized by

individuals.

Attitudes are evaluation of alternatives based on these values.

Ex: The Disneyland concept worked well in Tokyo, it had a tougher time in

Paris. One of the main reasons was that while Japanese are fond of American

pop Culture, the European are quite content with their own cultural heritage.


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When to give and What in Gifts

China India Japan Mexico Saudi Arabia

Chinese New Year

(Jan or Feb)

Diwali

Festival

(Oct or Nov)

Oseibo

(Jan 1st)

Christmas

/ New

Year

Id al-Fitr

Modest gifts such as

coffee table, books,

ties, pens

Sweets,

Nuts, Fruits,

Elephant

Carvings

Scotch,

Brandy,

Americana,

Round fruit

(melon)

Desk

clocks,

fine pens,

gold

lighters

Fine

compasses to

determine

direction for

prayer,

cashmere

Clocks, anything

from Taiwan

Leather

objectives,

snake

images

Gifts that

come in sets

of four or nine

Sterling

items,

logo gifts,

food

baskets

Pork and

pigskin, liquor


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Economic Infrastructure- Transportation, Energy and Communication Systems

Social Infrastructure- Housing, Health and Educational Systems

Financial & Marketing Infrastructure


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Each culture makes a clear statement concerning good taste, as

expressed in the arts and in the particular symbolism of colors, form, and

music.

Ex: Black, for instance, is considered the color of mourning in US &

Europe, whereas white has the same symbolic meaning in Japan andmost of the far East.


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Education, either formal or informal, plays a major role in the passing

on and sharing of culture.

Ex:Japan and South Korea emphasize on the sciences, especially engineering,

to a greater degree than do western countries.


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Social institutions affect the ways people relate to each other.

Social Stratification is the division of a particular population into classes.

Reference groups provide the values and attitudes that influence behavior.

Primary- Family, colleagues

Secondary- Professional associations, Trade org


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Naki Sumo


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Chinese noodles


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St George day


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Documents

Understanding business culture