sweden - basic knowledge for an expartiate
TRANSCRIPT
Country Overview
• Official name - Kingdom of
Sweden
• Area - 449,964 sq km
• Inhabitants - 8,878,085
• Density - 19 people/square km
• Capital – Stockholm
Monetary unit - Swedish krona
(SEK)
One krona = € 0.11 ;
€ 1 = 9 SEK
Geography
• Big country, sparsely
populated.
• Third largest country in
Western Europe
• Almost same size as Spain or
France.
• 9.2 million inhabitants.
• 90% of population live in
southern Sweden.
People
• A dramatic change.
• 100 years ago was very poor.
• Now, rich and well-educated.
• Large investments in education
& research.
• Main language Swedish
• Almost all Swedes speak fluent
English.
Cultural Norms
• Getting in line
Swedes like to wait in line.
Structure way of waiting, ensuring
equal rights and treatment.
Patience is a virtue, possessed and
nourished by Swedes.
• Lagom
“Lagom” means ‘just enough’.
Citizens are striving to achieve a
state of “Lagom.”
Looking/feeling/being at the
perfect equilibrium.
• Taking of shoes
Shoes are taken off when entering
private residences.
sign of respect for the home.
Some people will bring indoor
shoes with them in a bag when invited.
• Being on time
‘time’ should be respected at all
times.
Swedes value punctuality, which is
known worldwide.
Also maintained in social
gatherings.
• Business casual means jeans
fashion in Sweden is simple, relaxed and casual.
Unless it’s a meeting with foreign clients or board meeting.
Swedes value quality in clothes.
Major Multi-national Organizations
• "Made in Sweden" holds special
meaning to Swedes and rest world
• 25 of Fortune 500 corporations are
Swedish.
• Many of the companies have a
history of 100 years.
• Swedish vehicles SCANIA, VOLVO
and SAAB has very well known
international reputation for their
manufacturing quality and build
standards .
Some of the other well known Swedish corporations are :
•IKEA,
•ERICSSON,
•SKF,
•TETRA PAK,
•ELECTROLUX,
•SECURITAS,
•H&M,
Political environment# Constitutional monarchy.
Swedish Parliament (Riksdag)
Head of the Government
# The electoral process of Sweden
Candidates are not treateddifferently
all parties have equal access to thenational media and other means ofcommunication.
PESTLE ANALYSIS OF SWEDEN
Economical Environment
# Economic structure in recession: Swedish Crisis Management maintains -
a sound fiscal support,
enhancing greater labor force participation
and efficiently increasing the public spending
# Efficient Capital Markets and Investment:
given access to a variety of credit instruments.
Increasing of international co-operation.
Social environment
# Norms and values of Sweden
# Gender equality is still improving and life satisfaction continues to be very high.
# Swedish Social Insurance Agency provide some benefit –
Monetary support for children
Housing allowances for those who can't afford housing.
Benefits for unemployed and retired
Technological environment
# Technological products developed by Swedish firms include
the self-aligning ball bearing,
the cream separator,
the three-phase electric motor,
and a refrigerator without moving parts
Legal Environment
# The legal system is characterized by a high degree of transparency
legal framework
The Swedish system of judicial reviews
# The Swedish Law, Act (1992:160)
Within the European Economic Area (EEA)
Registration of business enterprise in Sweden
Trademark must be registered
Environment
# Most sustainable country in the
world
renewable energy sources
low carbon dioxide emissions
# Environmental policy in
Sweden
Reduced Climate Impact
A Non-Toxic Environment
A Protective Ozone Layer
A Safe Radiation Environment
Flourishing Lakes and Streams
Good-Quality Groundwater
A Balanced Marine Environment
Advantages of an Expatriate
•High Standard of Living
Sweden is expensive to
live compared to
delivers exceptional
standard of living.
Considered political
stability
the country considers to
be very safer.
•Healthcare
Healthcare coverage is
universal.
residents & expatriates have
access to public healthcare
services.
•Taxation
taxation is determined
on individual’s
residential status.
residents are taxed on
worldwide income
non-residents are
taxed on income arising
from Sweden.
Challenges for an Expatriate
•Language
One of the biggest challenge
for expatriate.
Difficult to adjust &
understand .
communication problem is a
vital issue