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March 8, 2014
Abstract
This report has been prepared following an assessment of the cultural setting of four countries: England, China, Nigeria and Brazil. Managers of Crocket & Jones, Northampton based shoe manufacturing company intend to cooperate with business people in China, Nigeria and Brazil. In this report, the author identifies and discusses opportunities that are likely to emerge from the relationship between this company and its business associates in the three countries. Cooperating with business associates in China would enable the company’s management to use a centralized decision making strategy because employees within this culture are used to following orders and implementing decisions that have been made by higher authorities. Opportunities resulting from cooperation with business people in Nigeria include the formulation and implementation of an effective marketing communication strategy. This is due to the masculine nature of the Nigerian society. Employees will therefore be wiling to work harder to earn monetary incentives that are linked with their level of performance. Challenges include the language barrier between managers and employees within China. Success in Chinese and Brazilian business environment would require the establishment of close relationships with influential people. The failure of Crocket & Jones management to build such a relationship would derail their performance. Recommendations include learning the Chinese language to communicate effectively with customers within this market; using a centralized decision making strategy in Brazil and China and decentralized decision-making strategy in Nigeria. It would also be important for Crocket & Jones’ management to use performance management systems in Nigeria to bring forth a high level of performance.
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