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Essay / Doing Business Abroad - 1096
Our world is increasingly connected and globalized and the role of international trade is increasing. Each country has its own set of unique customs and traditions. The beliefs of each citizen define the cultures that each citizen conforms to in their normal daily lives, thus constituting the very foundation of the country. For example, in Saudi Arabia, a citizen found guilty of theft will have his hand cut off. In the United States, a citizen convicted of theft would likely receive only short-term probation. The American Heritage Dictionary defines culture as "the pattern of behavior, arts, beliefs, institutions, and all other socially transmissible products of human labor and thought characteristic of a community or community." a population”. Apparently, minuet gestures or situations that have different meanings in particular cultures can make or break business deals. International managers from the United States or any other country need to be aware of the different cultural differences. Injecting some specific skills, such as diversity training for expatriate managers, will help bridge the gap between cultural differences such as language, religion and values. One of the most obvious cultural obstacles is the language barrier, which is also a difficult obstacle to overcome. differences. A manager can delegate a task to be accomplished within a U.S.-based division and immediately reap the desired results. On the other hand, if an international manager is not familiar with the English language or culture, the same task may yield a different result. Language conveys both information and ideas. “The key to global competence is developing the skills needed to cope, which means integrating into the dominant culture and understanding how to correctly interpret and analyze behavior” (Hayes, 1996). Being bilingual increases the advantage foreign business partners have in their interactions. This negates the need for a third-party translator. Business partners tend to be more open and receptive when communicating with bilingual staff who speak their native language. “An understanding of language allows the manager to grasp particular points of view, implicit meanings, and other information that is not literal” (Moreno, 2006). You also need to be careful about unspoken language. Tacit language includes implicit hand gestures, facial expressions, physical greetings, eye contact, and manipulation of personal space (Moreno, 2006). A simple thumbs up is a good example of the body language barrier between different cultures. In the United States, this gesture is seen as "okay" or "ok", but in Italy this gesture is considered vulgar! Languages are just the beginning for drawing conclusions about cultural differences. Religion also plays an important role..