Main Cultural Differences Between Arab and Us Managers
ISCTE – SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT COMPARATIVE INTERNATIONAL MANAGEMENT
Similarities and Differences between Arab and American Managers
Predominant Characteristics
1 2 3
Leadership Style
Arab Stereotype
Egalitarian, emphasis on peer approval and gain personal acceptance. Consultative Ritual, display a high desired for long-term relations, affective, e.g., appeals to emotions and feelings, concession seeking. Hard work is a virtue in the light of the needs of man and the necessity to establish equilibrium in one's individual and social life. Family and work are the center of life. Necessary to avoid chaos and to build a family-type environment.
American Stereotype
Materialistic likes "wheeling and dealing," emphasis on opportunities to get ahead. Participative Direct, seeking short-term relations, emphasis on facts and logical analysis,; concessions are made on occasion.
Decision Style
Negotiation Style
4
Work Orientation
Hard work is a virtue by itself, work is the center of life.
5
Attitudes Toward Organizational Authority
Important to the extent that it facilitates work, less emphasis on hierarchical relations and rules. Impersonal, emphasis on results, thriving on competition, gamesmanship, calculated risks, and maneuvering, documentation is highly valued. All directions written, routine, formal, engages in manipulation of facts, which is justified through the manipulative "flexible ethics." Seniority increases in pay are not as effective as merit, incentive awards, opportunity for advancement, and money is extremely important because it's the "name of the game."
6
Business Conduct
Highly personalized, emphasis on honesty, moral aspects, and verbal commitment, documentation is not highly regarded. Face-to-face, informal, urgent, emphasis on human interest, and stress actual case studies or examples of how programs have benefited the people. Accept longevity and seniority oriented pay increases, emphasis on recognition by
Similarities and Differences between Arab and American Managers
Predominant Characteristics
1 2 3
Leadership Style
Arab Stereotype
Egalitarian, emphasis on peer approval and gain personal acceptance. Consultative Ritual, display a high desired for long-term relations, affective, e.g., appeals to emotions and feelings, concession seeking. Hard work is a virtue in the light of the needs of man and the necessity to establish equilibrium in one's individual and social life. Family and work are the center of life. Necessary to avoid chaos and to build a family-type environment.
American Stereotype
Materialistic likes "wheeling and dealing," emphasis on opportunities to get ahead. Participative Direct, seeking short-term relations, emphasis on facts and logical analysis,; concessions are made on occasion.
Decision Style
Negotiation Style
4
Work Orientation
Hard work is a virtue by itself, work is the center of life.
5
Attitudes Toward Organizational Authority
Important to the extent that it facilitates work, less emphasis on hierarchical relations and rules. Impersonal, emphasis on results, thriving on competition, gamesmanship, calculated risks, and maneuvering, documentation is highly valued. All directions written, routine, formal, engages in manipulation of facts, which is justified through the manipulative "flexible ethics." Seniority increases in pay are not as effective as merit, incentive awards, opportunity for advancement, and money is extremely important because it's the "name of the game."
6
Business Conduct
Highly personalized, emphasis on honesty, moral aspects, and verbal commitment, documentation is not highly regarded. Face-to-face, informal, urgent, emphasis on human interest, and stress actual case studies or examples of how programs have benefited the people. Accept longevity and seniority oriented pay increases, emphasis on recognition by