1. Cross-Culture Management1.12.2009 Presented by: Christian Forster Paolo Monteiro Daniel Yang Jariya Taesopapong Tee Teetiphun How can superstitious beliefs and practices influence business decisions in Thai companies?

2. 1.12.2009Cross-Culture Management Agenda 1.Introduction to Superstition and Research Methodology 2.Influence of Superstition on Business Decisions in Thailand 3.Relationship between Superstition and In- Class Theory (very briefly) 4.Conclusion Due to the confidential nature of some of the information included we ask you to not record this presentation in any way – Thank You!

3. 1.12.2009Cross-Culture Management Research Methodology Research Methodology: Qualitative Mostly Primary Sources Interviews with company insiders

4. 1.12.2009Cross-Culture Management Introduction to Superstition Defintion: “a belief or practice resulting from ignorance, fear of the unknown trust in magic or chance, or a false conception of causation.” – Merriam Webster Uncertainty is an important factor Materializes in many forms: – Religion and other beliefs – Astrology and numerology – Fortune telling and tarot cards – Amulets, talismans, lucky charms

5. 1.12.2009Cross-Culture Management Introduction to Superstition II Paranormal beliefs give people a way to cope with lowly social and economic status Superstitions are “spiritual help” Determinants of Superstition:

6. 1.12.2009Cross-Culture Management Determinants of Superstition Age – Younger people are more superstitious than older ones Gender – Women are more superstitious than men Education – The higher the education the less superstitious Income – Low socio-economic status, highly superstitious Employment – Unemployed people are more superstitious Marital status – Single, divorced, widowed are more superstitious Religion – Highly religious people do not believe in tarot cards, astrology, etc. – But their religious devotion can be taken also as another form of superstition

7. 1.12.2009Cross-Culture Management Influence of Superstition in Business Hiring Decisions – Facial Features – Zodiac Timing and Marketing – Number 9 – Auspicious Dates – Planetary Alignments

8. 1.12.2009Cross-Culture Management Influence of Superstition in Business II Location and Building Design – Feng Shui Symbols, Artefacts and Packaging Designs – Logo Design / Packaging – Statues – Spirit Houses Other (Confidential)

9. 1.12.2009Cross-Culture Management Superstition and Cultural Dimensions As far as we have found, only one cultural dimension can be held somewhat accountable for superstitious practices, namely Hofstede’s uncertainty avoidance. Superstitions seem to represent constructs to explain the unknown or unexplained, as well as a form of giving emotional support to people. E.g.: This is expressed in the Thai peoples reverence towards images of Buddha and their love of talismans.

10. 1.12.2009Cross-Culture Management Conclusion We have shown, that superstitious beliefs and practices influence a wide spectrum of business decision, reaching from decisions on who to hire, to decisions in which direction the front door of the office should be pointing. We have however also found flaws in the original research on superstition. It stated that people who were the most superstitious were young, uneducated and had a low socio- economic status. In our research however, we found that the most superstitious were usually well educated and wealthy top- level managers. It also remains to be seen what, if any quantifiable influence superstitious beliefs have on the success of businesses. This would be an area that requires more research.