2. Concept of
Culture
• Culture is the configuration of learned behavior
and result of behavior whose component
elements are shared and transmitted among the
members of a particular society.
Culture is Relative that guide the behavior of people in a society /
community and that are passed on from one generation to the next.
3. Elements of
Culture
• Culture has normative value. It prescribes
Do’s and Don’ts which are binding on the
members of a society.
• Culture is a group Phenomenon.
• Cultural practices are passed on from
generation to generation
4. • Example: Women in Indian Society wear
‘Kumkum/Sindur’ on their foreheads because their
parent told them to wear. The parents did the same
because their parents had done so.
• Eating cow’s meat is viewed critically by Hindu
Society. While drinking liquor is common in the US,
the same is prohibited in Saudi Arabia and is a
punishable offence
5. Characteristics of
Culture
• Culture is learned
• Culture is unconscious
• Culture is shared
• Culture is integrated
• Culture is Symbolic
• Culture is a way of life
• Culture is Dynamic
• Culture is Relative
• Culture is universal
7. level of culture
Dominant Culture
Sub Culture
Organizational
Occupational
pervasive and extends to the whole of a
country
practices of Punjabies are different from
those obtain in Karnataka.
TATAis different from that of INFOSYS while
that of INFOSIS is not the same as that of
WIPRO.
An Account for example speaks the same
financial language whether he or she is an
Indian or an American. So is the case with a
medical practitioner or an attorney.
8. Characteristics of
Organization
Culture
• Centralized vs. decentralized decision making:
• Safety vs. risk: in some so
• Individual vs. group rewards
• Informal vs formal procedures:
• High vs. low organizational loyalty:
• Cooperation vs. competition:
• Short term vs. long term horizons
• Stability vs. innovation
9. Cultural Sensitivity
•Communicate effectively with customers, suppliers, business associates and
partners in other countries and foreign employees (expatriates).
•Conduct negotiations and understand the nuances of the beginning postures of the
other parties into a negotiation.
• Predict trends in social behavior likely to affect the firm’s foreign operations.
•Understand the ethical standards and concepts of social responsibility in various
countries.
• Build Foster relationships between union confederations and employee associations
require cultural empathy.
• Understand local Government policies and influences it for business promotion.
•Conduct efficient meetings in different countries and encourage employees
participation in management.
• Understand how people interpret market research an other information.
Every international manager need to know about cultural differences among nations in
order to be able to:
10.
11. Why needed ?
1.In global businesses, activities such as leading, motivating, decision making,
problem solving, exchanging ideas and information depends on the ability of
proper communication from one culture to another.
2.Mistakes in cross-cultural communication often go unnoticed by the
communicators, but these mistakes have the potentials to cause damage to
international relationships and negotiations.
3.Mistakes or misinterpretations of the subtle gestures of the hands, and face,
the use of silence, what is said or not said, and the intricacies of dealing with
age and status often provide PITFALLS for International Business.
15. Food Culture –
No No
• Pork
Muslims are prohibited from eating pork so it is not included in Arab
menus. There are substitutes for the same.
• Alcohol
Alcohol is generally only served in hotel restaurants and bars.
Exceptions are some clubs (e.g. golf clubs) and associations.
16. Doing Business in
the UAE
Working
Practice
Companies
Structure
Working
Relation
Business
Practices
Social
Customs
17. Working
Practice
• Saturday – Wednesday (Traditional Working Week)
• Meetings should be scheduled advanced with extra
time allocation
• Attitude to time is comparatively relaxed
18. Working
Relation
• Prefer to do Business in Person
• Prefer to do Business with those who they know
• Family & Friends come before anything else
19. Business
Practice
• Customary greeting is “As-salam alikum” with reply “Wa alaikum as-
salam”
• Initial business meeting – Way to become acquainted with your
counterparts
• Business Cards are common but not essential. If intended ensure
English and Arabic printed information.
20. Social Custom
• Gifts
– Sign of Generosity
• Dining
– Sign of respect –
starts eating last
– Host pays for it
• Left Hand
– Do not use or offer
item with your left
hand
• Shoes
– Follow the lead of your
host
21. Business
Etiquette
Do’s
Address Emirati counterpart with
appropriate titles
Dress Conservatively
Accept Invitation to a meal or
social events
Politeness and courtesy
Don’t
• Expect a one-on-one meeting to only
include yourself and the other person.
• Assume that the person who asks the
most questions in meetings holds the
most Responsibility.
• DON’T ask about a person’s wife or
daughters.
• Don’t speak Loud and with laughter
22. Tips for effective
communication
• Be clear and concise
• Speak more slowly
• Reinforce your message
• Make presentations effective
• Double-check understanding
• Be open-minded
23. Differences between Indian Culture & Western Culture
Basis Indian Culture Western Culture
Belief
Luck
in Faith & Strong believers Believe in hard work & efforts
Belief in Spiritualism Strong believers Believe in Materialism
Public Appearance No body exposures.
Considered obscene.
Fashionable
thing
clothes the in
Care of Old People Sons are expected to
take care of their
Parents.
Old parents are not cared for.
Respect for Women No religious ceremony is
held without wife.
Women given respect in
traditional sense
Relegated to Old Homes
Women looked as objects of
pleasure. Women are free
in every aspect
24. Corporate Gifts /
Greetings
• Africa A light warm handshake is acceptable form of greeting when anyone
meet and anyone leave
• Asia Bow down to each other
• Australia & New Zeeland- During parties, host will introduce to the other
guests, do not expect gifts from foreigners doing business with them
• Europe Shake hands with a firm grip when any one meet and anyone
depart
• Middle East & Gulf Countries- Gift should be presented publicly to the
group after a deal is closed. In addition to hand shake , they may touch
other arms & shoulder, and embrace when they are so close
• Canada & USA Hand shake is a full – hand grip
25. Meetings and presentations
• Africa Be prepared for a large no. of people
• Asia Decide before hand what tech. information they are willing to share
and be sure everyone on your team knows
• Australia & New Zeeland- To the point, specific and punctual
• Europe Class conscious good manners are critical and ignorance is no
excuse for bad manners
• Middle East & Gulf Countries- Maintain Royalty and detail discussion,
prefer local language or English
• Canada & USA Meeting begin and end as scheduled. There is very little
small talk at meetings
