USA country profile Team Alexandra Gogalova Slovakia Radoslaw

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USA - country profile Team: Alexandra Gogalova - Slovakia Radoslaw Stepnik - Poland Roger

USA - country profile Team: Alexandra Gogalova - Slovakia Radoslaw Stepnik - Poland Roger Schmitt - Germany 1

USA - country profile Agenda Structure 1. About the USA 1. 1 Intro 1.

USA - country profile Agenda 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 2

Born in the USA 3

Born in the USA 3

USA - country profile History • Original inhabitants Indians • 1492 Christopher Columbus discovered

USA - country profile History • Original inhabitants Indians • 1492 Christopher Columbus discovered America • Since 16 th century settling through European immigrants • Colonial time (France, Spain and England) • Independence fight (Independence Day 4 th July 1776) • Civil war (North against South 1861 – 1865) • Abolition of the slavery 1865 • Rose slowly to the economic giant (19 th – 20 th 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 4

USA - country profile Some facts and backgrounds Today • Federal States: 50 Seal

USA - country profile Some facts and backgrounds Today • Federal States: 50 Seal of the USA • Population figure: 295, 734, 134 (July 2005) • Density: 30 inhabitants per km² • Capital: Washington D. C. • Language: No official language but mostly American English 5

USA - country profile Some facts and backgrounds Today • Languages: 82. 1 %

USA - country profile Some 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 6

USA - country profile Power Distance Index (PDI) Power Distance Index • In USA

USA - country profile Power Distance Index (PDI) 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 7

USA - country profile Individualism (IDV) Individualism • In USA with a ranking of

USA - country profile Individualism (IDV) Individualism • In USA with a ranking of 91, compared with a world average of 43 • 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 8

USA - country profile Masculinity vs. Femininity • In USA with a ranking of

USA - country profile Masculinity vs. Femininity • In USA with a ranking of 62, compared with a world average of 50 • 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 Italy 42 days • Strong are admired France 37 days • Material values are important Germany 35 days Brazil 34 days • Work is sense of living United Kingdom 28 days Canada 26 days Korea 25 days Japan 25 days U. S. 13 days Source: www. infoplease. com 9

USA - country profile Masculinity vs. Femininity • Not so many women in management

USA - country profile 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 10

USA - country profile Uncertainty Avoidance • With a ranking of 46, compared to

USA - country profile 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 11

USA - country profile Uncertainty Avoidance • Tend to accept competition and conflict, tolerate

USA - country profile 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 12

USA - country profile Long term orientation • The lowest dimension for the US

USA - country profile 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. 13

USA - country profile The pattern of business behavior (R. Gesteland) • Deal focused

USA - country profile The pattern of business behavior (R. Gesteland) • Deal focused culture (task-oriented) Ø contact with prospective buyer without any previous relationship or connection Ø getting down to business Ø rely on written agreements Ø direct language and low-context communication • Rigid-time culture (monochronic) Ø punctuality Ø fixed agendas Ø schedules Ø meetings are rarely interrupted 14

USA - country profile The pattern of business behavior (R. Gesteland) • Informal culture

USA - country profile The pattern of business behavior (R. Gesteland) • Informal culture Ø supposed to value status equality • Variably expressive culture Ø verbal (clear way) Ø paraverbal (loudly, avoid silence) Ø nonverbal (distance behavior 40 to 60 cm , variable touch behavior, firm eye contact) 15

USA - country profile To negotiate in the USA • “Time is money” •

USA - country profile To negotiate in the USA • “Time is money” • American dream • Communication • Meals and Business • Lawyers • Regional subcultures • Money is key priority 16

USA - country profile To negotiate in the USA • FUN, FUN! • Women

USA - country profile To negotiate in the USA • FUN, FUN! • Women in management • Language • Opportunity • Work time • Give and take • Knowledge of other cultures • Protection of rights by law in the workplace 17

USA - country profile To negotiate in the USA • Punctuality • Business dress

USA - country profile To negotiate in the USA • Punctuality • Business dress • Smoking • Informality • Flexibility • Addressing • The way of greeting • Small talk 18

USA - country profile To negotiate in the USA Welcome Topics • Sports •

USA - country profile To negotiate in the USA Welcome Topics • Sports • Food • Music Topics to avoid • Religion • Politics • Controversial subjects (racism, sexism. . . ) • Personal matters 19

USA - country profile Class opinion Questions: • Do you like the Americans and

USA - country profile 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 20

USA - country profile Conclusion 21

USA - country profile Conclusion 21

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

USA - country profile 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 (18 th July, 2 nd and 15 th August, 2000) www. executiveplanet. com wikipedia. org www. cia. gov www. geert-hofstede. com www. usa. de www. cnn. com www. infoplease. com 22

USA - country profile Thanks Thank you for your attention! And… 23

USA - country profile Thanks Thank you for your attention! And… 23