Business culture in the Caribbean region: differences and similarities between Jamaica, Barbados and Bermuda.
MUJURU, SHEPHERD (2012)
Laurea-ammattikorkeakoulu
2012
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2012060111202
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2012060111202
Tiivistelmä
Globalization has led to the creation of extensive business networks and collaboration around the world, which business organizations should not ignore if they are to survive and grow in these volatile markets of the 21st century. However, cultural diversity is one of many barriers limiting the smooth foreign market entry for business organizations, executive managers and other in-ternational employees.
The purpose of this thesis is to investigate specific business cultural elements of three markets in the Caribbean region, examining their differences and similarities in relation to Hofstede`s model of cultural dimensions.
A qualitative research approach was followed during this study, utilizing face-to-face interviews with three business experts from the Caribbean region working in Finland. Perspectives on business culture in the theoretical section are based on Geert Hofstede`s theories of national culture and organizational culture theory by Fons Trompenaars.
The research findings showed that four business cultural elements (building relationships and trust, decision making, hierarchy and communication) appeared most in both discussions. Communication style is a broad theme that was brought up by all of the interviewees. Based on the analysis of the interviews, communication seemed to be closely related to and affected by many other cultural dimensions. For example, the study showed that knowledge sharing in business organizations is a problem because the channels of communication are affected by hierarchy. This is a characteristic of high power distance culture according to Geert Hofstede. Based on the data from the interviews, it is apparent that communication within the confines of the Caribbean business culture can be very challenging to foreign investors, but is a key to launching a successful business enterprise in these markets.
Key words
communication, hierarchy, culture, decision making, trust
The purpose of this thesis is to investigate specific business cultural elements of three markets in the Caribbean region, examining their differences and similarities in relation to Hofstede`s model of cultural dimensions.
A qualitative research approach was followed during this study, utilizing face-to-face interviews with three business experts from the Caribbean region working in Finland. Perspectives on business culture in the theoretical section are based on Geert Hofstede`s theories of national culture and organizational culture theory by Fons Trompenaars.
The research findings showed that four business cultural elements (building relationships and trust, decision making, hierarchy and communication) appeared most in both discussions. Communication style is a broad theme that was brought up by all of the interviewees. Based on the analysis of the interviews, communication seemed to be closely related to and affected by many other cultural dimensions. For example, the study showed that knowledge sharing in business organizations is a problem because the channels of communication are affected by hierarchy. This is a characteristic of high power distance culture according to Geert Hofstede. Based on the data from the interviews, it is apparent that communication within the confines of the Caribbean business culture can be very challenging to foreign investors, but is a key to launching a successful business enterprise in these markets.
Key words
communication, hierarchy, culture, decision making, trust