ITALY

JUAN FORNI
BELINDA GIRON
ALEJANDRA MADRID
ANA LAURA FELIX
CAROLINA CARRANZA

Power Distance - 50

Individualism - 76
At

a score of 76 Italy is an
Individualist culture, me centered,
especially in the big and rich cities of
the North where people can feel alone
even in the middle of a big and busy
crowd. So family and friends becomes
an important antidote to this feeling;
but the word friend should not be
misinterpreted because in business it
has a slightly different meaning:
someone that you know and can be
useful for introducing you to the
important or powerful people.

 For

Italians having their own personal ideas and objectives in

life is very motivating and the route to happiness is through
personal fulfillment. This dimension does vary in Southern
Italy where less Individualist behavior can be observed: the
family network and the group one belongs to are important
social aspects.

Masculinity - 70
Italy is a Masculine society highly success oriented
and driven.
Children are taught from an early age that competition
is good and to be a winner is important in ones life.
As the working environment
is the place where every
Italian can reach his/her
success, competition among
colleagues for making a
career can be very strong.

Status symbols Italians use

Uncertainty Avoidance - 75

Long Term Orientation - 61

Long

term orientation is how every society has to maintain some

links with its own past while dealing with the challenges of the
present and future.

Italy

takes a more pragmatic approach.

They

believe that truth depends very much on situation, context

and time.

They

adapt traditions easily to changed conditions.

Count

with a strong propensity to save and invest

Perseverance

in achieving results.

Indulgence - 30
The

extent to which people try to control

their desires and impulses, based onthe way
they were raised.

Italia

has a restraint culture.

Low

enphasis in leisure time. Control the

gratification of desires.

High

requirements in quality, high inflation,

preference in products Made in Italy.

Doing business in Italy

Close relationships Trust

Appearance is very important

Decision-making process might be slow,

using pressure is not welcomed.

You shouldnt organize meetings on August,

Catholic festivities and other national days
off.

Shake hands with everyone.

Greet older people and women first.

Business meetings
Dress

code is very important. It reflects your social standing

and success.

Punctuality

is not a priority.

Do

not bring gifts, unless you receive one first; avoid using
your companys logo on it.

Hospitality

plays a key role in Italian business culture, and

usually involves a restaurant dinner. Refusing an invitation of
any kind is likely to be taken as an insult.

Exchanging

business cards is common (you should have

yours translated into Italian on the reverse). Make sure that
any advanced educational degrees and your full title are
featured on both sides of your business card.

References
The Hofstede Centre. (n.d.). Italy. 2015, The Hofstede Centre
web site: http://geert-hofstede.com/italy.html
Today Translations. (n.d.). Doing business in Italy. 2015, Today
Translations web site: https://www.todaytranslations.com/doingbusiness-in-italy