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Present an analysis of the key cultural differences between England and Germany and how are these likely to affect management.
Identify and evaluate strategies that you could you use to help manage in an organisation in Germany.
Executive Summary
Many frameworks have been developed to define cultural dimensions and their importance when working in a culture different to our own. I have analysed a combination of dimensions drawing from Hofstede, Trompenaars, Hall and Hall (1990), Walker, Walker and Schmitz (2003) and Browaeys and Price (2008), in order to analyse the differences between England and Germany.
The analysis carried out showing similarities and differences between England and Germany for my Group Presentation is summarised in the graph below:
Recognising cultural differences is essential and all dimensions must be taken into account when managing a cross cultural company. To help an English manager adapt to a new working culture in Germany, I identified a number of strategies that would help overcome issues in respect to the main variables, for which there is substantial difference in culture. These include helping overcome uneasiness and ensuring more time is spent on planning and analysis due to differences in the view of uncertainness. Respect to hierarchical and departmentalised flows of communication due to Germany’s culture of hierarchy and the avoidance of covert and implicit messages with reference to communication.
Report
Many frameworks have been developed to define cultural dimensions and their importance when working in a culture different to our own. In order for global and cross cultural trade to work effectively we must be able to acknowledge that our working styles, beliefs and norms can be seen as offensive, wrong or unclear in many other cultures. In order for successful business to take place we must be aware of this and adapt business practices accordingly.