- 23/11/2012
- Posted by: essay
- Category: Free essays
Examples of doing business in different countries
It is necessary to choose two countries that are culturally diverse, compare the cultures of those countries and discuss the ways in which cultural differences affect business sphere in each, how business practices and ethics vary across the cultures.
1. United States of America
The history of the American nation, that has created its own business world in a historically short time, proves that Americans are enterprising, courageous and hardworking people. If to remember the times of the conquest of the Wild West, the struggle for independence, as well as the fact that the ancestors of the Americans were immigrants who went to a foreign country for happiness, these facts show that the entrepreneurial and business culture of Americans are “in their blood”, as they say.
American style of business interaction is characterized by pragmatism and results orientation. In addition, American businesses are often trying to reduce the possible costs, carefully study the organizational aspect of any business, carefully check the possible results of decisions and pay attention to details. The basic principles of the Americans include the analysis, separation of functions and control. Specialization – is one of the strongest peculiarities of Americans, as it is hard to find encyclopedic educated people, but there are a lot of good specialists and experts in narrow spheres.
Americans cherish the time and appreciate punctuality, they use diaries and live according to the schedules. Therefore, conducting joint business with them, people and business partners must come to an appointment in time.
Communicating with Americans it is necessary to know that they are characterized by self-confidence and even snobbery towards international partners, as they believe that they are perfectly versed in the business of any country, any nationality, and they want other nations take example of them and their way of doing business.
It is important that America is the weirdo, as individuality and individual rights are the most important for the Americans. From early childhood, Americans are accustomed to rely only on themselves, so they are independent, energetic and ambitious, they know what they want, and relentlessly strive to achieve their goals. Americans like to compete, to appreciate the achievements and records, and on this ground are constantly competing with each other. As a rule, Americans are straight people, they appreciate in people honesty and candor, quickly go to the essence of the talk and not waste time on formalities.
During business meetings (unless it is a diplomatic reception) Americans avoid unnecessary formality and stiffness, preferring a comfortable, casual clothes. Americans appreciate the jokes and respond well to them, trying to emphasize the friendliness and openness. However, their humor can sometimes seem a bit rough and primitive. Also the work with Americans requires efficiency and accuracy of language.
2. Japan
Ethics and rules of business, marketing and management in particular, in Japan differ substantially from the rules and regulations of the business world of the West.
In the Japanese national character stand hard work, solidarity with the group norms, adherence to traditions and to develop the aesthetic sense, discipline, duty, courtesy and poise. Japanese from childhood are brought up in the spirit of “group solidarity” and learn to suppress their emotional impulses, trying to “save face” in the most unpleasant situations. Japan’s moral believes about the bonds of mutual dependence and moral duty lie in the basis of relations between people.
Japanese society is homogeneous and pervaded the spirit of collectivism. Japanese are always thinking on behalf of groups, and person is aware of himself primarily as a member of the group, and individuality is a part of the whole community.
Management in Japan, as in any other country, reflects its historical features, culture and social psychology, it is
directly related to the socio-economic structures of the country. Analysis of the Japanese management is of particular interest for the following reasons: this is a kind of management that has the most striking differences with the widespread in the developed capitalist countries Western (American) style. Presuppositions of management and marketing approaches, as well as specific methods for their implementation in Japanese companies are significantly different from American.
The Japanese are receptive to new ideas, they prefer to learn from mistakes and benefit from others’ experiences. They are closely watching what is happening in the world and systematically supplement the information from abroad. They borrow and quickly assimilate new technological methods and processes.
It is also very important to point out that Japanese workers have no resistance to the introduction of new products and technological progress, as innovation – is the basis for economic growth and the Japanese are genuinely committed to it.
Conclusion
In today’s world business and entrepreneurship go far beyond the national markets, involving a growing number of people from different cultural areas. As a result, cultural differences begin to play an increasing role in organizations and have stronger influence on the marginal efficiency of business activities. That is why there are cross-cultural issues in international business that are defined by differences in: language, religion, politics and law, geography, art, education, technology and other life values.
It is necessary to stress the importance of the problem of cross-cultural approach to international business development, the successful solution of which requires a new approach to language and cultural differences to achieve growth in material wealth and monetary and effective operation of the multinational teams of managers.
Underestimation of cross-cultural gaps in the work of companies from different countries often leads to a crisis of business relations, lower business activity. Meanwhile, the connection of different business cultures in the management involves not only openness and mutual trust, but a serious effort to develop plans for common strategic development and marketing programs.
Bibliography
Eagleton Terry, 2000, The idea of culture. Oxford: Blackwell Publishers.
Holden, NJ, 2002, Cross-cultural management: a knowledge management perspective. Harlow: Financial Times/Prentice Hall
Soderberg, AM & Holden, NJ, 2002, “Rethinking cross-cultural management in a globalising business world”, International Journal of Cross Cultural Management Vol. 2, No. 1, 103-121.
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