Developed by Cool Pictures & MultiMedia PresentationsCopyright © 2004 by South-Western, a division of Thomson Learning. All rights reserved. The Cultural Environment Chapter 3

Developed by Cool Pictures & MultiMedia PresentationsCopyright © 2004 by South-Western, a division of Thomson Learning. All rights reserved. Success and Culture Embrace local culture. Employ locals to gain cultural knowledge. Build relationships. Adapt products to local markets. Help employees understand you. Coordinate by region.

Developed by Cool Pictures & MultiMedia PresentationsCopyright © 2004 by South-Western, a division of Thomson Learning. All rights reserved. Defining Culture An integrated system of learned behavior patterns that are distinguishing characteristics of the members of any given society. The definition encompasses a wide variety of elements, from materialistic to the spiritual.

Developed by Cool Pictures & MultiMedia PresentationsCopyright © 2004 by South-Western, a division of Thomson Learning. All rights reserved. Acculturation Adjusting or adapting to a specific culture other than one’s own … and “one of the keys to success in international operations.

Developed by Cool Pictures & MultiMedia PresentationsCopyright © 2004 by South-Western, a division of Thomson Learning. All rights reserved. Context Cultures High-context culture –is where the social context in which what is said strongly affects the meaning of the message. –Examples: Japan and Saudi Arabia Low-context culture –is where the meaning of the message is explicitly expressed by the words and is less affected by the social context. –Example: North America

Developed by Cool Pictures & MultiMedia PresentationsCopyright © 2004 by South-Western, a division of Thomson Learning. All rights reserved. Elements of Culture Elements Language verbal non-verbal Religion Values and Attitudes Manners and Customs Material Elements Aesthetics Education Social Institutions

Developed by Cool Pictures & MultiMedia PresentationsCopyright © 2004 by South-Western, a division of Thomson Learning. All rights reserved. Language Verbal –How words are spoken. –Gestures made. –Body position assumed. –Degree of eye contact. Local language capability’s important role in international marketing –Aids in information gathering and evaluation. –Provides access to local society. –Important to company communications. –Allows for interpretation of contexts.

Developed by Cool Pictures & MultiMedia PresentationsCopyright © 2004 by South-Western, a division of Thomson Learning. All rights reserved. Nonverbal Language Hidden language of cultures –Time flexibility and sensibility. –Social acquaintance and rapport. –Personal physical space and personal touching. –Non-verbal gestures and signaling.

Developed by Cool Pictures & MultiMedia PresentationsCopyright © 2004 by South-Western, a division of Thomson Learning. All rights reserved. Dominate Religions of The World Christianity billion followers Islam billion followers Hinduism million followers Buddhism million followers Confucianism million followers

Developed by Cool Pictures & MultiMedia PresentationsCopyright © 2004 by South-Western, a division of Thomson Learning. All rights reserved. Manners and Customs Potential problem areas for marketers arise from an insufficient understanding of: –different ways of thinking. –the necessity of saving face. –knowledge and understanding of the host country. –the decision-making process and personal relations. –the allocation of time for negotiations.

Developed by Cool Pictures & MultiMedia PresentationsCopyright © 2004 by South-Western, a division of Thomson Learning. All rights reserved. Social Institutions Kinship relationships –immediate and extended family Social stratification Reference groups –Primary reference groups family, coworkers –Secondary reference groups professional associations, trade organizations

Developed by Cool Pictures & MultiMedia PresentationsCopyright © 2004 by South-Western, a division of Thomson Learning. All rights reserved. To Give or Not To Give

Developed by Cool Pictures & MultiMedia PresentationsCopyright © 2004 by South-Western, a division of Thomson Learning. All rights reserved. Making Culture Work Embrace local culture. Build relationships. Employ locals to gain cultural knowledge. Help employees understand you. Adapt products and processes to local markets. Coordinate by region.

Developed by Cool Pictures & MultiMedia PresentationsCopyright © 2004 by South-Western, a division of Thomson Learning. All rights reserved.

Developed by Cool Pictures & MultiMedia PresentationsCopyright © 2004 by South-Western, a division of Thomson Learning. All rights reserved. A Model