International Business Part Two Comparative Environmental Frameworks

Chapter Two The Cultural Environments Facing Business

Chapter Objectives
To understand methods for learning about cultural environments To analyze the major causes of cultural difference and change To discuss behavioral factors influencing countries business practices To understand cultural guidelines for companies that operate internationally
2-2
Copyright 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Prentice Hall

The People Factor

Culture refers to learned norms based on the values, attitudes, and beliefs of a group of people Cultural diversity Cultural collision Sensitivity and Adjustment

2-3
Copyright 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Prentice Hall

Cultural Awareness
There is no foolproof way to build your awareness of culture Hard to isolate culture from economic and political conditions Education about a culture helps Studies of cultures have shortcomings

2-4
Copyright 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Prentice Hall

The Nation as a Point of Reference

National boundaries act as proxy for culture Not everyone in a country shares the same culture Certain cultural attributes may link groups from different nations more closely than certain groups within nations

2-5
Copyright 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Prentice Hall

How Cultures Form and Change

Cultural values set early in life Changes occur from:
Choice Imposition

2-6
Copyright 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Prentice Hall

Language as a Cultural Stabilizer

When people from different areas speak the same language, culture spreads more easily Among nations that share a same language, commerce is easier Isolation from other groups, especially because of language, tends to stabilize cultures. Some countries see language as being so important that they regulate the inclusion of foreign words and/or mandate the use of the countrys official language for business purposes.
2-7
Copyright 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Prentice Hall

Religion as a Cultural Stabilizer

Centuries of profound religious influence continue to play a major role in shaping cultural values Many religions influence specific beliefs that may affect business

2-8
Copyright 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Prentice Hall

Issues in Social Stratification

Ascribed group memberships are determined at birth Acquired group memberships are based on ones choice of affiliation Performance orientation of the society Open vs. Closed society Attitude towards gender Attitude towards age Importance of family group Prestige of occupation
2-9
Copyright 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Prentice Hall

Issues in Work Motivation

Materialism and Motivation Expectation of Success and Reward Assertiveness: The MasculinityFemininity Index Hierarchies of Needs

2-10
Copyright 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Prentice Hall

Factors Affecting Relationship Preferences

Power distance: general relationship between superiors and subordinates. Individualism vs. collectivism: degree of dependence on organization

2-11
Copyright 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Prentice Hall

Factors Affecting Risk-taking Behavior

Uncertainty avoidance Trust Future orientation Fatalism

2-12
Copyright 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Prentice Hall

Factors Affecting Information and Task Processing

Perception of cues Obtaining Information: Low-Context versus High-Context Cultures Information Processing

2-13
Copyright 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Prentice Hall

Factors Affecting the Communication Process

Spoken and Written language Silent language:
color associations conversational distance perception of time and punctuality body language and gestures prestige

2-14
Copyright 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Prentice Hall

Dealing with Cultural Differences

Accommodation Cultural distance Culture shock Company and Management orientations
polycentric ethnocentric geocentric

2-15
Copyright 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Prentice Hall

Factors Affecting Strategies for Instituting Cultural Change

Value systems Cost/benefits of change Resistance to too much change Participation Reward sharing Opinion leadership Timing Learning abroad
2-16
Copyright 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Prentice Hall