International Management Luthans | Doh
International Ninth Edition
Fred Luthans
Management Jonathan P. Doh
Ninth Edition
Chapter 5
Managing Across Cultures
International Management Ninth Edition Luthans | Doh
Managing Across Cultures
• The specific objectives of this chapter are to
1. EXAMINE the strategic dispositions that
characterize responses to different cultures.
2. DISCUSS cross-cultural differences and
similarities.
3. REVIEW cultural differences in select countries
and regions, and note some of the important
strategic guidelines for doing business in each.
International Management Ninth Edition Luthans | Doh
The Strategy for Managing
Across Cultures
• There are four distinct strategic tendencies
toward doing things in a particular way:
1. Ethnocentric
2. Polycentric
3. Regiocentric
4. Geocentric
International Management Ninth Edition Luthans | Doh
Strategic Predispositions
• Ethnocentric predisposition
– A nationalistic philosophy of management
whereby the values and interests of the parent
company guide strategic decisions.
International Management Ninth Edition Luthans | Doh
Strategic Predispositions
• Polycentric predisposition
– A philosophy of management whereby strategic
decisions are tailored to suit the cultures of the
countries where the MNC operates.
International Management Ninth Edition Luthans | Doh
Strategic Predispositions
• Regiocentric predisposition
– A philosophy of management whereby the firm
tries to blend its own interests with those of its
subsidiaries on a regional basis.
International Management Ninth Edition Luthans | Doh
Strategic Predispositions
• Geocentric predisposition
– A philosophy of management whereby the
company tries to integrate a global systems
approach to decision making.
International Management Ninth Edition Luthans | Doh
Orientation of an MNC
Under Different Profiles
International Management Ninth Edition Luthans | Doh
Meeting the Challenge
• The Globalization Imperative
– Belief that one worldwide approach to doing business
is key to efficiency and effectiveness.
– Many factors facilitate the need to develop unique
strategies for different cultures:
• Diversity of worldwide industry standards
• Continual demand by local customers for differentiated
products
• Importance of being an insider, as in case of customers who
prefer to “buy local”
• Difficulty of managing global organizations
• Need to allow subsidiaries to use own abilities and talents
unconstrained by headquarters
International Management Ninth Edition Luthans | Doh
Meeting the Challenge
Globalization vs. National Responsiveness
• In advertising
– Germans
• Want factual and rational advertising
• Typical German spot features standard family of two parents,
two children, and grandmother
– French
• Avoid reasoning or logic
• Advertising is predominantly emotional, dramatic, symbolic
• Spots are viewed as cultural events―art for sake of money―
and reviewed as if they were literatures or films
– British
• Value laughter above all else
• Typical broad, modest British commercial amuses by mocking both
advertiser and consumer
International Management Ninth Edition Luthans | Doh
Meeting the Challenge
Globalization vs. National Responsiveness
• Summary
• To adjust global strategies for local markets,
MNCs should
– Stay well-informed of local market conditions; don’t
assume all markets basically same
– Know the strengths and weaknesses of MNC
subsidiaries; assist them in addressing local demands
– Give the subsidiary more autonomy; let it respond to
changes in local demand
International Management Ninth Edition Luthans | Doh
Cross-Cultural Differences
and Similarities
• Parochialism and Simplification
– Parochialism: the tendency to view the world
through one’s own eyes and perspectives
– Simplification: the process of exhibiting the same
orientation toward different cultural groups
International Management Ninth Edition Luthans | Doh
Six Basic Cultural Variations
International Management Ninth Edition Luthans | Doh
Cross-Cultural Differences
and Similarities
• Similarities across cultures
– Not possible to do business same way in every global
location
– Procedures and strategies that work well at home
can’t be adopted overseas without modifications
• Some similarities have been found
– Russia and U.S. (for example)
• Traditional management
• Communication
• Human resources
• Networking activities
• OB Mod
International Management Ninth Edition Luthans | Doh
Cross-Cultural Differences
and Similarities
• Differences across cultures
– Far more differences than similarities found in
cross-cultural research
– Wages, compensation, pay equity, maternity leave
– Importance of criteria used in evaluation of
employees
– Examples: page-166 (HAIRL by Trompenaars)
International Management Ninth Edition Luthans | Doh
Cultural Clusters in the Pacific Rim,
EU, and United States
International Management Ninth Edition Luthans | Doh
A Partially Completed Contingency Matrix for
International Human Resource Management
continues
International Management Ninth Edition Luthans | Doh
A Partially Completed Contingency Matrix for
International Human Resource Management
International Management Ninth Edition Luthans | Doh
Cultural Differences in Selected
Countries and Regions: China
• Doing Business in China
1. The Chinese place values and principles above money and
practicality.
2. Business meetings typically start with pleasantries such as
tea and general conversation about the guest’s trip to the
country, local accommodations, and family.
3. The Chinese host will give the appropriate indication for
when a meeting is to begin and when the meeting is over.
4. Once the Chinese decide who and what is best, they tend
to stick with these decisions. Although slow in formulating
a plan of action, once they get started, they make fairly
good progress.
International Management Ninth Edition Luthans | Doh
Cultural Differences in Selected
Countries and Regions: China
5. In negotiations, reciprocity is important. If the
Chinese give concessions, they expect some in
return.
6. Because negotiating can involve a loss of face, it is
common to find Chinese carrying out the whole
process through intermediaries.
7. During negotiations, it is important not to show
excessive emotion of any kind. Anger or frustration
is viewed as disruptive and inappropriate.
8. Negotiations should be viewed with a long-term
perspective. Those who will do best are the ones
who realize they are investing in a long-term
relationship.
International Management Ninth Edition Luthans | Doh
Cultural Differences in Selected
Countries and Regions: Russia
• Doing Business in Russia
1. Build personal relationships with partners. When there
are contract disputes, there is little protection for the
aggrieved party because of the time and effort needed
to legally enforce the agreement.
2. Use local consultants. Because the rules of business have
changed so much in recent years, it pays to have a local
Russian consultant working with the company.
3. Ethical behavior in the United States is not always the
same as in Russia. For example, it is traditional in Russia
to give gifts to those with whom one wants to transact
business.
4. Be patient. In order to get something done in Russia, it
often takes months of waiting.
International Management Ninth Edition Luthans | Doh
Cultural Differences in Selected
Countries and Regions: Russia
5. Russians like exclusive arrangements and often
negotiate with just one firm at a time.
6. Russians like to do business face-to-face. So when
they receive letters or faxes, they often put them on
their desk but do not respond to them.
7. Keep financial information personal. Russians wait
until they know their partner well enough to feel
comfortable before sharing financial data.
8. Research the company. In dealing effectively with
Russian partners, it is helpful to get information
about this company, its management hierarchy, and
how it typically does business.
International Management Ninth Edition Luthans | Doh
Cultural Differences in Selected
Countries and Regions: Russia
9. Stress mutual gain. The Western idea of “win–win” in
negotiations also works well in Russia.
10. Clarify terminology. The language of business is just
getting removed in Russia so double-check and make
sure that the other party clearly understands the
proposal, knows what is expected and when, and is
agreeable to the deal.
11. Be careful about compromising or settling things too
quickly because this is often seen as a sign of weakness.
12. Russians view written contracts as binding only if they
continue to be mutually beneficial, so continually show
them the benefits associated with sticking to the deal.
International Management Ninth Edition Luthans | Doh
Cultural Differences in Selected
Countries and Regions: India
• Doing business in India
1. It is important to be on time for meetings.
2. Personal questions should not be asked unless the
other individual is a friend or close associate.
3. Titles are important, so people who are doctors or
professors should be addressed accordingly.
4. Public displays of affection are considered to be
inappropriate, so one should refrain from
backslapping or touching others.
5. Making an effort of courteous and polite is sufficient
International Management Ninth Edition Luthans | Doh
Cultural Differences in Selected
Countries and Regions: India
5. When eating or accepting things, use the right
hand because the left is considered to be
unclean.
6. The namaste gesture can be used to greet
people; it also is used to convey other messages,
including a signal that one has had enough food.
7. Bargaining for goods and services is common;
this contrasts with Western traditions, where
bargaining might be considered rude.
International Management Ninth Edition Luthans | Doh
Cultural Differences in Selected
Countries and Regions: France
• Doing business in France
1. When shaking hands with a French person, use a
quick shake with some pressure in the grip.
2. It is extremely important to be on time for meetings
and social occasions. Being “fashionably late” is
frowned on.
3. During a meal, it is acceptable to engage in pleasant
conversation, but personal questions and the
subject of money are never brought up.
4. Great importance is placed on gracefulness and
taste. Visiting businesspeople should try very hard
to be cultured and sophisticated.
International Management Ninth Edition Luthans | Doh
Cultural Differences in Selected
Countries and Regions: France
5. The French tend to be suspicious of early friendliness in
the discussion and dislike first names, taking off jackets,
or disclosure of personal or family details.
6. In negotiations the French try to find out what all of the
other side’s aims and demands are at the beginning, but
they reveal their own hand only late in the negotiations.
7. The French do not like being rushed into making a
decision, and they rarely make important decisions
inside the meeting.
8. The French tend to be very precise and logical in their
approach to things and will often not make concessions
in negotiations unless their logic has been defeated.
International Management Ninth Edition Luthans | Doh
Cultural Differences in Selected
Countries and Regions: Brazil
• Doing business in Brazil
1. Physical contact is an acceptable form of communication. Brazilians
stand close to others when having a conversation and may touch
the person’s back, arm, or elbow as a greeting or sign of respect.
2. Face-to-face interaction is preferred, so avoid email or telephone
calls. Meetings may start 10 to 30 minutes late. Greet with a
pleasant manner and accept refreshments.
3. Trust is not a given in Brazil, so be sure to form a strong relationship
before bringing up business issues. Close relationships are very
important because Brazilians will do anything for friends.
4. Appearance is very important. It reflects you and your company.
Men should polish their shoes and wear conservative dark suits.
Women should dress nicely, but avoid being too conservative or
formal. Think fashion.
International Management Ninth Edition Luthans | Doh
Cultural Differences in Selected
Countries and Regions: Brazil
5. Patience is key. Many processes are long and
extensive, including negotiations. Expressing
frustration or impatience and attempting to speed
up processes may lose the deal. Brazilians will be
very loyal and committed once the agreement is
reached.
6. It is not acceptable to be ill-prepared. Presentations
should be informative and expressive. Consistency is
important. Be sure to state your case multiple times.
Brazilians often bring multiple people to
negotiations. Subsequent meetings may include
members of higher management, requiring a
repeating of information.
International Management Ninth Edition Luthans | Doh
Cultural Differences in Selected
Countries and Regions: Arab Countries
• Doing business in Arab countries
1. It is important never to display feelings of superiority,
because this makes the other party feel inferior. Let
one’s action speak for itself and do not pretend a show
of self-importance.
2. One should not take credit for joint efforts. A great deal
of what is accomplished is the result of group work, and
to indicate that one accomplished something alone is a
mistake.
3. Much of what gets done is a result of going through
administrative channels in the country. It often is difficult
to avoid a lot of this bureaucracy, and efforts to do so
can be regarded as disrespect for legal and
governmental institutions.
International Management Ninth Edition Luthans | Doh
Cultural Differences in Selected
Countries and Regions: Arab Countries
4. Connections are extremely important in conducting
business.
5. Patience is critical to the success of business
transactions. This time consideration should be built into
all negotiations.
6. Important decisions usually are made in person, not by
correspondence or telephone. This is why an MNC
manager’s personal presence often is a prerequisite for
success in the Arab world. Additionally, while there may
be many people who provide input on the final decision,
the ultimate power rests with the person at the top, and
this individual will rely heavily on personal impressions,
trust, and rapport.
