Question

Choose two countries that you believe to be culturally diverse. Review and compare the cultures of those countries. How do you think the cultural differences might influence business practices with each country? Why? Can you also include peer review references for this comparison?

Class is DBA 8710 International Business and Global Strategy.

Answer 1

Let us take the example of India and England to solve this question.

India

India is a country in South Asia with a whopping population of 1.35 billion and counting. It is world's seventh largest country in terms of area. India is a vast land of cultural uniqueness and cultural diversity at the same time, this is so because there has been influences on the Indian culture that has made the Indian culture unique. Be it Arabs, Persians, Afghans and the Europeans.

England

Note* Here is the case study of only the island nation of England in Europe, there is no relation of it to the British empire.

England is an island nation in the North western Europe. It has a very minimal population and one of the most influential countries of the world. The culture of England has been evolved over time with the gradual introduction of Renaissance and subsequent exploration of sea ways through Europe.

So what's that made India which is almost 13 times bigger than England, a colony of the latter that too for almost 200 years?

In India with the gradual maturing of a cultural identity a practice developed that anyone crossing the seas were outcasted because seas were considered sacred by the fellow Indians and people were not allowed to place foot over them. It restricted the business practices of Indians to a very great level. Other point is that right from the start of the civilisation there has been only subsistence level food grain productions. With the development of Kingship, enough was grown to pay king the taxes and enough for the family. This habit inculcated in the minds of people and they started behaving in the same manner in businesses as they never thought to make it big.

England, on the other hand experienced Renaissance which introduced scientific thinking in it's society which proved to be very effective in the later stages. The mariner compass, the explosive materials developed in Europe helped in further exploration of rest of the world. With the introduction of green revolution and the subsequent industrial revolution England not only became self sufficient but also an exporting country in Europe which earned her great wealth. This accumulated wealth of her's is what which prompted her to explore the world and make use of it's weakness and exploit them as much as possible.