Army public College of Management & Sciences

"Assignment of International Business" Norms and Values

Name : Saad Saleem Roll # S-44015 Submitted To: Sir Muhammad Ali

Date: 19th March, 2012

Norms and Values of Saudi Arabia Face:

In a culture where confrontation and conflict are to be avoided, the concept of face is a fundamental issue of daily life. Dignity and respect are key elements in Saudi Arabian culture and saving face, through the use of compromise, patience and self-control is a means by which to maintain these qualities. Arabian culture utilises the concept of face to solve conflicts and avoid embarrassing or discomforting others. In a business context, preventing loss of face is equally important. For instance, your Saudi Arabian counterparts will not take well to pressure that places them in an uncomfortable position which make them lose face.

Islam:
In order to comprehend fully the culture of Saudi Arabia one needs to understand the extensive influence of religion on society. The overwhelming majority of the population of Saudi Arabia are Arabs who adhere to the Wahhabi sect of Islam. Islam, which governs every aspect of a Muslims life, also permeates every aspect of the Saudi state. As a result, Arabian culture is often described as detail orientated, whereby emphasis is placed on ethics and expected social behaviour such as generosity, respect and solidarity. These are customs and social duties that also infiltrate the Saudi Arabian business world and affect the way Arabs handle business dealings.

High Context Communication:

Saudi Arabia is considered a very high context culture. This means that the message people are trying to convey often relies heavily on other communicative cues such as body language and eye-contact rather than direct words. In this respect, people make assumptions about what is not said. In Saudi Arabian culture particular emphasis is placed on tone of voice, the use of silence, facial cues, and body language. It is vital to be aware of these non-verbal aspects of communication in any business setting in order to avoid misunderstandings. For instance, silence is often used for contemplation and you should not feel obliged to speak during these periods.

Norms and Values of Australia Egalitarianism:

Australia has a very egalitarian culture where differences in status need no particular deference. Often referred to as the tall poppy syndrome, this creates a society that avoids differentiation between individuals, or being a tall poppy by standing out from the crowd. Instead, modesty, parity and mutual respect are preferred. Egalitarianism infiltrates all aspects of Australian life and is particularly prominent in the business sphere. Australians generally avoid drawing too much attention to their academic qualifications, personal achievements or business success, since this may be perceived as arrogance. Its influence can also be seen in the more down-to-earth approach to business that Australians adopt.

Openness:
A highly valued aspect of Australian culture and well-known trait of the nations population is the open and direct manner in which daily life is conducted. Generally, Australians are literal and to the point in their communication, often voicing what might be perceived as strong and confrontational opinions. As a nation, they value directness and respect those who

express their own views and beliefs. In a business context, you will find that your Australian counterparts are, on the whole, receptive to new ideas and encourage lively discussion or debate.

Individualism:
This characteristic is prominent in the behavior of many Australians and in the way they interact with other members of society. A common feature of individualism, which must be taken into consideration, is the importance of personal privacy and the segregation of the public and private life of individuals. Whilst dealing with your Australian counterparts, you may find attempts at developing personal relationships are treated with caution.

Norms and Values of France Centralization:

France has a long and notable history of centralization reflected in its geography, transportation system, Government and business. This outlook originated in the power and authority of the earlier monarchs and despite the democratic society, remains a significant part of the French presidency today. In the world of French business, centralization exists in the concentrated authority that generally lies with one individual.

Individualism and individuality:

Frances distinguished individuality is an important cultural characteristic that describes the French passion for uniqueness and freedom of opinion, both in society and in business. However, individuality should not be confused with the term individualism, which is equally essential in France, but refers to having a separate but equal sense of place in society. Individualism in the French business environment means that a greater concern is placed on social status and being judged as an individual.

Uncertainty avoidance:
One aspect of French culture that has a major influence on business in France, is the countrys attention to rules and regulations. The French have a low tolerance for uncertainty and ambiguity, which, for those wishing to conduct business in France, is significant in their reluctance to take risks.