Differing business practices among cultures

What business practices appear to be different among the cultures/organizations in the case study?

What are the cues in the case study that demonstrate the different cultural perspectives about business practices?
In particular, be sure to look at cues around the RFP and around task versus relationship themes to help you dig deeply into the business2practices issue.

Differing communication styles among cultures
What communication and structural practices appear to be different among the cultures/organizations in the case study?

What are the cues in the case study that demonstrate different cultural perspectives about communication and structure?
In particular, be sure to look at cues around the use of coalition and around hierarchy themes to help you dig deeply into the communication and structure issues.

Full Answer Section

     

Regarding Communication Styles and Structural Practices:

  • Different communication and structural practices: I will look for variations in directness of communication, use of silence, importance of nonverbal cues, formality of interactions, decision-making hierarchies, the degree of centralization versus decentralization, and the formation and role of coalitions.
  • Cues demonstrating different cultural perspectives about communication and structure: I will focus on cues related to the formation and use of coalitions (e.g., who aligns with whom, how alliances are formed and maintained, the purpose of these alliances) and themes of hierarchy (e.g., respect for authority, decision-making processes involving different levels, communication flow within organizations). Differences in meeting styles, the way information is shared, and the level of formality in interactions will also be considered.
 

Sample Answer

       

Regarding Business Practices:

  • Different business practices: I will look for variations in approaches to decision-making, negotiation styles, contract expectations, risk tolerance, emphasis on short-term versus long-term goals, and attitudes towards competition and collaboration.
  • Cues demonstrating different cultural perspectives about business practices: I will focus on cues related to the RFP process (e.g., level of detail, formality, emphasis on specific criteria), and the balance between task-oriented (focus on efficiency, deadlines, and deliverables) and relationship-oriented (focus on building trust, personal connections, and long-term partnerships) themes. This might be evident in communication styles, meeting protocols, and the way parties prioritize different aspects of the project.