usa - country profile

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USA - country profile

Team:

Alexandra Gogalova - Slovakia

Radoslaw Stepnik - Poland

Roger Schmitt - Germany

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USA - country profileAgenda

Structure

1. About the USA

1.1 Intro

1.2 History

1.3 Some facts and backgrounds

2. The US-culture

2.1 Hofstede´s dimensions

2.2 Gesteland - The pattern of business behavior

3. To negotiate in the USA

4. Class opinion

5. Conclusion

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Born in the USA

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USA - country profileHistory

• Original inhabitants

Indians

• 1492 Christopher Columbus discovered America

• Since 16th century settling through European immigrants

• Colonial time (France, Spain and England)

• Independence fight (Independence Day 4th July 1776)

• Civil war (North against South 1861 – 1865)

• Abolition of the slavery 1865

• Rose slowly to the economic giant (19th – 20th century)

• Market Crash New York (25.10.1929) and world economic crisis

• Different wars (First and Second World War, Vietnam, Iraq, etc.)

• Attack on the World Trade Center (11.09.2001) Afghanistan, Iraq

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USA - country profileSome facts and backgrounds

Today

• Federal States: 50

• Population figure: 295,734,134 (July 2005)

• Density: 30 inhabitants per km²

• Capital: Washington D.C.

• Language: No official language but mostly American English

Seal of the USA

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USA - country profileSome facts and backgrounds

Today

• Languages: 82.1 % English, 10.7 % Spanish, 3.8 % Indo-European, 2.7 % Asian and Pacific island, 0.7 % others (2000)

• Biggest town: New York (8,108,000 inhabitants)

• Form of government: Democratic federal republic

• President: George W. Bush

• Currency: US-Dollar

• National anthem: The Star-Spangled Banner

• Religion: 54 % Protestants, 25 % Catholics, 10 % no religious conviction, 3 % orthodox, 3 % Jewish, 2 % Mormons (2004)

• Economy: Biggest political economy of the world - GPD 11,728 $ bn (2004) 73 % tertiary, 23 % secondary, 4 % primary sector

• National sports: American Football, Baseball, Basketball, Ice hockey

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Power Distance Index

• In USA with a ranking of 40, compared with a world average of 55

• Hierarchy in organizations means an inequality of roles, established for convenience

• Decentralization is popular

• Narrow salary range between top and bottom of organization

• The middle class is large

• Power is based on formal position, expertise

• The ideal boss is a resourceful democrat

USA - country profilePower Distance Index (PDI)

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Individualism


• The highest level of IDV among listed countries

• Individualistic attitude

• Loose bonds with others

• Relationship employer-employee is a contract supposed to be based on mutual advantage

• Hiring and promotion decisions are supposed to be based on skills and rules only

• Everyone has a right to privacy

• Everyone is expected to have a private opinion

• Laws and rights are supposed to be the same for all

USA - country profileIndividualism (IDV)

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Masculinity vs. Femininity


• This indicates the country experiences a higher degree of gender differentiation of roles

• The male dominates a significant portion of the society and power structure

• Masculine societies tend to see men as assertive and women as nurturing

• Competitive behavior

• Strong are admired

• Material values are important

• Work is sense of living

USA - country profileMasculinity vs. Femininity

Italy 42 days

France 37 days

Germany 35 days

Brazil 34 days

United Kingdom 28 days

Canada 26 days

Korea 25 days

Japan 25 days

U.S. 13 daysSource: www.infoplease.com

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Masculinity vs. Femininity

• Not so many women in management position

• Resolving international conflicts by fighting

• Positive correlation between masculinity and Defense spending as a percentage of GNP

• Big and fast are beautiful

• Men don't show their emotions

• Sexual harassment is a big issue

• Sex and violence in newspapers and on TV

• Advertising is part of lives of Americans

• Maintenance of economic growth should have highest priority

USA - country profileMasculinity vs. Femininity

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Uncertainty Avoidance

• With a ranking of 46, compared to the world average of 64

• Fewer rules

• Open to innovations, risk, etc.

• Students prefer open-ended learning situations and discussions

• Tolerance, moderation

• Citizen protest acceptable

USA - country profile Uncertainty Avoidance

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Uncertainty Avoidance

• Tend to accept competition and conflict, tolerate dissent and deviance.

• Many nurses, few doctors

• Human rights: nobody should be persecuted for their beliefs

• Positive attitudes towards young people

• Scientific opponents can be personal friends

• Tolerant political ideologies

• Employees tend to change jobs more frequently

USA - country profile Uncertainty Avoidance

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Long term orientation

• The lowest dimension for the US at 29, compared to the world average of 45

• This low LTO ranking is indicative of the societies' belief in meeting its obligations and tends to reflect an appreciation for cultural traditions.

• Change can occur more rapidly as long-term traditions and commitments do not become impediments to change.

• A sense of security and stability, a protection of one’s reputation, a respect for tradition, and a reciprocation of greetings; favors and gifts.

USA - country profileLong term orientation

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USA - country profileThe pattern of business behavior

The pattern of business behavior (R. Gesteland)

• Deal focused culture (task-oriented)

contact with prospective buyer without any previous relationship or connection

getting down to business

rely on written agreements

direct language and low-context communication

• Rigid-time culture (monochronic)

punctuality

fixed agendas

schedules

meetings are rarely interrupted

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The pattern of business behavior (R. Gesteland)

• Informal culture

supposed to value status equality

• Variably expressive culture

verbal (clear way)

paraverbal (loudly, avoid silence)

nonverbal (distance behavior 40 to 60 cm , variable touch behavior, firm eye contact)

USA - country profileThe pattern of business behavior

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To negotiate in the USA

• “Time is money”

• American dream

• Communication

• Meals and Business

• Lawyers

• Regional subcultures

• Money is key priority

USA - country profileTo negotiate in the USA

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• FUN, FUN, FUN!

• Women in management

• Language

• Opportunity

• Work time

• Give and take

• Knowledge of other cultures

• Protection of rights by law in the workplace


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• Punctuality

• Business dress

• Smoking

• Informality

• Flexibility

• Addressing

• The way of greeting

• Small talk


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Welcome Topics

• Sports

• Food

• Music

Topics to avoid

• Religion

• Politics

• Controversial subjects (racism, sexism...)

• Personal matters


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Class opinion

Questions:

• Do you like the Americans and American culture?

• Would you like to adopt the American lifestyle?

• What you like and don’t like about the Americans?

Results:

• The majority answered YES to the first questions. Some respondents added that they do not think there is a notion of the American culture.

• Only ONE person would like to adopt the American lifestyle

• Positive and negative feelings about the Americans

USA - country profileClass opinion

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USA - country profileConclusion

Conclusion

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USA - country profileSources

Sources:Gesteland, R. (1999) Patterns of Cross-Cultural Business Behavior

Hofstede, G. (1991) Cultures and Organizations – Software of the mind

Hofstede, G. (1998) Masculinity and Femininity

Financial Times (18th July, 2nd and 15th August, 2000)

www.executiveplanet.com

wikipedia.org

www.cia.gov

www.geert-hofstede.com

www.usa.de

www.cnn.com

www.infoplease.com

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USA - country profileThanks

Thank you for your attention!

And…

usa - country profile

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