International Business Chapter 3 Cultural Influences on Global Business

3.1 Culture Around the World Culture – a system of learned, shared, unifying, and interrelated beliefs, values, and assumptions. Subculture – a subset of a larger culture Ex: Student, Age, Gender, Political party affiliation, music Cultural baggage – idea that you carry your beliefs, values, and assumptions with you at all times

3.2 Culture and Social Organizations Family Relations Society’s Institutions

Family Relations Family Units Family-Work Relationships Nuclear family – group consisting of a parent or parents and unmarried children Extended family – group that consists of parents, unmarried children, grandchildren, grandparents, aunts/uncles, or others Family-Work Relationships Weak family ties to business: little to no connection at all Strong family ties to business: employees of businesses are typically family members, difficult to separate family from work

Society’s Institutions Education Gender Roles Mobility (ability to relocate) Class system – means of dividing the members of a cultural group into various levels

3.3 Communication Across Cultures Direct (literal) vs. indirect communication (figurative) Nonverbal communication Body language Appearance Eye Contact Touching Personal Space Colors Smells

3.4 Culture Shock Culture shock – normal reaction to all the differences of another culture Sequence of reactions: Happiness Frustration Adaptation Acceptance