3. Hierarchy/Egalitarianism
Towards Hierarchy:
According to the book, Russia falls in the middle between the two
In business culture, status is related to one’s age and position
Authority positions are common with “high status” individuals, and they
render the appropriate respect.
Meetings are usually devised to be between individuals with equal statuses.
Towards Egalitarianism:
Nature of collective good often encourages a flexible and democratic work
ethos
As a result, Russia falls in the middle between a hierarchical and egalitarian
society.
7. Relationships
In Soviet Russia, the “blat”, an extensive relationship network that
allowed one to exchange resources, was necessary to survival
In present day Russia, Russians are slightly more relationship-based in
their personal lives
They have longer lasting relationships than Americans
Yet Russian relationships are complex in that they maintain a strong sense
of self-other overlap but with a lack of information divulgence
Business relationships are slightly more transactional
Russians show a preference for professional, managerial, and negotiation
skills over relationships
However, Russians are not completely transactional, as they still maintain
small business networks in which everyone is not permitted to infiltrate
9. Communication Style
Russians maintain both a strong, high context direct and indirect
communication preference.
Words may be lost in translation, leading communication to be confusing
Relationships and group size determine how direct Russians are
In negotiations, they are very quick to disagree and draw out the discussion
Indirect communication reflects character
Direct eye contact is considered a sign of respect
Constant smiling is seen as disingenuous and foolish
A handshake is the preferred greeting. No gloves though!
11. Time Orientation
Feeling of uncertainty and of lack of control
Thus, Russians prefer short-term planning to long-term planning,
which is only seen as a formality
In addition, Russians generally see it as impossible to set deadlines
Soviet time orientation was based on the Future and the Past, while
Traditional Russian time orientation is based on the Present and the
Past.
Juxtaposition in what Russians want in regards to time orientation to
what they get in regards to time orientation
94 % of Russians indicated that they would prefer flexible working
schedules, yet only 17 % of Russian companies permit them
15. Motivation/Work-Life
Balance
High levels of work-related stress
Traditionally see works as a means to an end rather than an end itself
Russians work shorter days
Only 0.2% of employees work very long hours whereas the average
employee in the OECD works 9%
Russians work more hours though
Russians work 1,976 hours, and the average OECD employee
works 1,749 hours.
Yet, the average amount of hours Russians spend on leisure and
personal care a day is 14.76 hours.
16. References
Radaev, V. (2003, July). How trust is established in economic relationships.
Presentation delivered at Cepr/wdi annual international conference on
transition economies, Budapest, Hungary. Retrieved from
http://www.cepr.org.uk/meets/wkcn/7/756/papers/radaev.pdf