socio-cultural factors
A Spanish software company wants to do business to Brazil (Sao Paolo) and Denmark. However, to achieve its objectives, the company must take in consideration socio-cultural factors in both countries.
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Brazil is the largest country in South America by its area and by its population. The Brazilian people have three main ethnic origins. There are the Indians who are from Brazil. Then, Europeans, mostly of Portuguese origin, and Africans people came during the period of colonization. Most recently, the Arabs and Asians people came. The official language is Portuguese. Other languages are spoken such as Spanish, English and French. The main religion is Catholicism. Other religions are Protestantism and some types of spiritualism and voodoo.
The concept of time in Brazil is very different from European and particularly Anglo-Saxon conceptions. The time is tackled in a very soft and flexible way. The Brazilians have a slower pace of life, bringing negotiations much longer in business. About timetables, punctuality is appreciated at work. However, meetings are often delayed or canceled without previous notice. Brazilians tend to see time as a sequence of events. For example, if a Brazilian is late due to a prior commitment that has taken longer than expected, he considers the delay to the next meeting as a natural consequence. The deadlines are flexible, depending on circumstances. The Spanish businessman will have to be patient and understanding towards his Brazilian counterpart about timetables and deadlines.
About application procedures, the way to speak to work colleagues and superiors is not ceremonial. The use of first names is very common. Professional titles are generally used in presentations. Nevertheless, regarding the relationship with a client at the first meeting, the businessman will call his Brazilian counterpart by his surname.
The dress code is conventional. Executives wearing long sleeve shirts and jackets all year, and business women
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Brazil is the largest country in South America by its area and by its population. The Brazilian people have three main ethnic origins. There are the Indians who are from Brazil. Then, Europeans, mostly of Portuguese origin, and Africans people came during the period of colonization. Most recently, the Arabs and Asians people came. The official language is Portuguese. Other languages are spoken such as Spanish, English and French. The main religion is Catholicism. Other religions are Protestantism and some types of spiritualism and voodoo.
The concept of time in Brazil is very different from European and particularly Anglo-Saxon conceptions. The time is tackled in a very soft and flexible way. The Brazilians have a slower pace of life, bringing negotiations much longer in business. About timetables, punctuality is appreciated at work. However, meetings are often delayed or canceled without previous notice. Brazilians tend to see time as a sequence of events. For example, if a Brazilian is late due to a prior commitment that has taken longer than expected, he considers the delay to the next meeting as a natural consequence. The deadlines are flexible, depending on circumstances. The Spanish businessman will have to be patient and understanding towards his Brazilian counterpart about timetables and deadlines.
About application procedures, the way to speak to work colleagues and superiors is not ceremonial. The use of first names is very common. Professional titles are generally used in presentations. Nevertheless, regarding the relationship with a client at the first meeting, the businessman will call his Brazilian counterpart by his surname.
The dress code is conventional. Executives wearing long sleeve shirts and jackets all year, and business women
References: Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada, 2010, available from: http://www.intercultures.ca/cil-cai/overview-apercu-fra.asp?iso=br, accessed on 18/04/2011 at 14:30. Hahn, N, 2009, Doing business in Denmark, available from: http://www.communicaid.com/access/pdf/library/culture/doing-business-in/Doing%20Business%20in%20Denmark.pdf, accessed on 22/04/2011 at 11:12. Words: 1869