Coping with the cross-cultural problems in the business world
Coping with the cross-cultural problems in the business world
It takes more for a company to be successful internationally than a quality product and high manufacturing standards. There is a human factor that must be considered. Each person is a product of his or her cultural environment and such "cultural baggage" is one thing that cannot be lost on an intercontinental flight.
The view across cultures is clouded, often marked by indiscreet borders, general misconceptions and mutual frustration. Living in a foreign culture can be exciting, albeit frustrating and confusing. However, whether buying a train ticket at Gambir station or using a pay phone at Union Station, unless you understand how a system is supposed to work, it may not work for you.
After a time in a foreign culture, a person begins to understand the unspoken assumptions and expectations, eventually becoming more comfortable with various situations encountered. Learning business customs is a good sign that an executive has made the adjustment to the new culture. The problem is time.
There is a new generation of executives looking for business opportunities outside of their home countries. The lengthy learning and cultural adaptation process that may have been acceptable in the past is not expected in today's marketplace. Modern business is moving fast and cannot accept lengthy acclimatization periods or failed overseas postings by executives.
Culture is strong. People are immersed in it and it controls one's actions and behavior. The modern executive who leads his company into a new market in a country where he does not understand the cultural ground rules is in for a lot of trouble and for problems that could be avoided.
"The necessity of understanding the business culture of the target country cannot be overstated," said Lee Kirkland, a senior manager in a company specializing in preparing Indonesian managers for overseas postings.
"For Indonesians going overseas, or for foreign nationals working in Indonesia, an understanding of the expectations and standards of foreign colleagues is essential to smooth cross- cultural working relationships and a successful assignment," said Kirkland.
The process of cultural assimilation and the development of effective cross-cultural working relationships requires effort and knowledge on the behalf of all parties.
The learning cycle is being advanced through education. Cross- cultural business orientation is a growing area. Companies are beginning to realize that their highly paid expatriate executive may not initially be able to demonstrate the same effectiveness in a foreign country as they have in their own country.
Briefing the executive on the ground rules of the host country's business culture is becoming a required element in the preparation for a new overseas posting. (George Whitfield)
George Whitfield is a senior technical advisor for Executive Orientation Services of Jakarta, which provides business-based cultural orientation and training programs for foreign professionals and Indonesian executives.