cross cultural management - m&a - india & france
DESCRIPTION
TRANSCRIPT
ArcelorMittal MergerThe cultural side of one
of the biggest deals inthe steel industry
Team Members:Petr Boros
Luke FarrellyTanguy Bocquet
Emmanuel de CroyEvelyne Hemstedt
Lubomila Jordanova17th of March, 2014ID419 Cross Cultural Management
Agenda
The Team
The Process
The Video
The Theory
Managerial Lessons
Conclusion
Team Process Video Theory Managerial Lessons
Arcelor, Mittal & Cross Cultural Consulting
Emmanuel de Croy, Consultant from Cross Cultural Consulting
Lubomila Jordanova,Consultant from Cross Cultural Consulting
Unnikrishnan Paramekkavil, financial managers of Mittal
Francois Simon, Vice-President of
Arcelor
Abishek Mukopadhyay,
Vice-President of Mittal
Sylvie Thomas, Strategic
Manager of Arcelor
Team Process Video Theory Managerial Lessons
The Process
Interview with a PhD candidate examining the cultural differences between France &
India
Interviews with French students based in India
Interviews with Indian students based in France
Theory that covers the two countries and differences between them
Team Process Video Theory Managerial Lessons
The Video – Rationale for Choice
• Merger discussions between two steel producers, Arcelor (France) & Mittal (India)
• Focus on scenes that expose differences in cultural perceptions in the 2 countries
• Reasons for choosing this case– Suprisingly little theory on the
Franco-Indian relationship from a cultural perspective
– France - 2nd strongest economy of Europe, strong culture
– India - emerging might in the new economic realityTeam Process Video Theory Managerial
Lessons
Cultural Dimentions Considered in Video
Individualism vs
Collectivism
Relationship
Orientation
Uncertainty Avoidance
Power Distance
Time Orientation Punctuality
Cultural Context
Team Process Video Theory Managerial Lessons
VIDEO!
Team Process Video Theory Managerial Lessons
Which cultural dimensions can you identify?
Team Process Video Theory Managerial Lessons
Seven cultural differences between France and India
France IndiaUncertainty avoidance
• Try to control the future• Intolerant to unorthodox behaviour
and ideas
Uncertainty tolerance• Tend to let things happen• Relaxed attitude, practice counts
more than principles
Short-term oriented• Rewards immediate results• Respects traditional approaches
Long-term oriented• Attaches more importance to the
future• Foster pragmatic values
Punctuality• Being on time is crucial• Strict respect of working and non-
working hours
Non-punctual• Arrive when possible• Time is continuous, no difference
between today and tomorrow
Femininity• Stronger focus on relationships and
collaboration
Masculinity• More competitive and performance
oriented
Team Process Video Theory Managerial Lessons
Source: Geert Hofstede Cultural Dimensions (1991), Steelcase Culture Code, Solomon and Schell: Managing Across Cultures (2009)
Seven cultural differences between France and India
France IndiaIndividualism
• Individuals are expected to take care only of themselves and their immediate families
Collectivism• Individuals are very concerned with
the well-being of the larger group rather than their own
Lower power distance• Less hierarchical, decisions can be
taken at different levels
Higher power distance• More hierarchical, everyone can
participate in the decision-making process but the decision is eventually taken at the highest level
Lower cultural context• Tend to be direct when dealing with
others
Higher cultural context• Tend to be more indirect and vague
Team Process Video Theory Managerial Lessons
Source: Geert Hofstede Cultural Dimensions (1991), Steelcase Culture Code, Solomon and Schell: Managing Across Cultures (2009)
What went wrong?
Team Process Video Theory Managerial Lessons
Long-Term versus Short-Term View Opposition
• Leads to disagreements (e.g. agenda, shareholders)
• Both parties listened to the each other’s opinion
Problem Better communication on the goals (elaborate the agenda of the company together)
Understand the other party’s concern and show you will really take it into consideration
Solution
What went wrong?
Team Process Video Theory Managerial Lessons
Uncertainty avoidance
• Different views on what to do with aging
factories• Different incentives for
managers: bonuses vs market share
Problem Be aware of topics
that are nationally sensitive (unions, economic situation)
Better understand the habits and fears of the management and employees
Solution
What went wrong?
Team Process Video Theory Managerial Lessons
Cultural context
Although smooth meeting, different
perceptions about the outcome of the meeting
subsequently led to diverging views
Problem Align their vision (E.g.
Establish a common summary of the negotiation)
Ensure a better follow-up with pre-established deadlines
Solution
General Learning Points for Managers
Source: Marks & Mirvis ,1998; Hofstede, 1980; Forbes, 2013, Chakrabarti et al., 2009., Lane et al., 2005
Team Process Video Theory Managerial Lessons
Awareness of the “Merger Syndrome”
• 3 aspects, personal, organisational & cultural reactions not taken into account in the beginning “Hostile Takeover”
Well-defined Vision of the Transaction Context• Mapping Bridging
Intergrating = smooth M&A process
• Preparation neccessary for deal of such size
“Cultural Distance” Hypothesis• success of the M&A deal
extensive effort in understanding the CULTURE on the other side of the table
Utilisation of Success Potential
• Success rate of cross-border M&A found to be higher than for domestic M&A
Thank you!
“It is never too late to give up your prejudices”
―Henry David Thoreau
Questions?