The Business of International Business is Culture: Russia and Asia Dimensions
October 11, 2017
Seminar by professor Romie Littrell
The Business of International Business is Culture: Russia and Asia Dimensions
Dr. Romie Littrell: “As demonstrated by the research of Geert Hofstede and others, the successful functioning of international business organizations hinges on intercultural understanding, communication, and cooperation. Managing international businesses requires handling both national and organizational culture differences at the same time. Organizational cultures are somewhat manageable while national cultures are given facts for management; common organizational cultures across borders are what keep employees of multinationals together, and provide a global identity. As tariff and technological advantages wear off, competition automatically shifts towards economic factors, and towards cultural advantages or disadvantages. No country and no organization can be good at everything; existences of cultural strengths imply cultural weaknesses. Culture is present in the design and quality of products and in the presentation of services. Buying and consumption patterns in affluent countries since the 1980s diverged as much as they converged. Advertising the same global brand should appeal to different cultural themes in different countries. Organizations moving to unfamiliar cultural environments are often badly surprised by unexpected reactions of the press, the authorities or the public to what they do or want to do. Mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures and alliances across national borders become increasingly frequent, but they remain a regular source of cross-cultural clashes. Cross- national ventures have often turned out to be dramatic failures. Cultural integration takes lots of time, energy, and money. These issues will be discussed in the context of Geert Hofstede’s most recent theoretical and practical developments”.
We also appreciate students leaving the following feedback after our seminar:
Anna Plugar’ (MA student, 1st year): “Want to share some of my thoughts after today’s meeting. I realized that because of everyday life’s routine it is easy to forget the researcher’s passion you have had when you decided to enroll for master program. But thanks to the lectures like today’s one understanding of what you really want to do is returning. It is not only about topics of your research. It is more about making real things. Or making things real, if you want. Maybe this is a pretty simple understanding, but unfortunately a person seems to be designed to forget it easily. So, there is always seeking for “Kind reminders”. And I have get one today. Thanks to prof. Littrell and really looking forward for our future meetings”.
Anna Markova (MA student, 1st year): “Every student faces the problem of lack of practical knowledge, especially it is topical when you study business and politics, especially in Asian countries. Doctor Romie Littrell has shown in his seminar called The Business of International Business is Culture that one of the most significant aspects of doing business is knowledge of traditions, customs, religion, behavior, rituals of people from other country. Understanding of the way of thinking of your international partners is a key to successful business. That's why it is hard to describe a huge interest to the topic, a great enthusiasm to be engaged in research of culture of business that were aroused by Doctor Littrell. Especially if you get knowledge from the specialist who shares with you his devotion to the problem discussed”.
Charlie Song (Hampshire College exchange student at HSE): “It was a very informative and well-organized seminar. From Dr.Littrell, I have gained a lot of insights into the business culture of different countries. His advice for me on conducting anonymous survey was also extremely helpful for my research this semester. Equally importantly, I was very glad to hear the opinions of my Russian peers and how they perceive themselves and different culture of the world. I wish there could be more events like this at HSE Saint Petersburg in the future!”