Cultural awareness and business

Activity 1. Is having cultural knowledge important in business and why? Discuss the problem and then read the text. Does the author agree with you?

The development of communications technology, from the Internet to mobile phones, has brought different parts of the world closer together. Communication is now instantaneous. Decisions taken in one country can have an immediate impact in another. This increased interconnectedness is reflected in the economic and cultural spheres.

Globalization is the process by which businesses and organizations grow and start to operate in countries all over the world, which has been made easier by new technology and political developments' (Oxford Business English Dictionary). It makes previously isolated cultures and economies interdependent and interlinked. In the economic sphere, the impact of globalization can be seen in the power and influence of multinational corporations such as Shell. Microsoft Nestle, and General Motors. There are over 60,000 multinational corporations throughout the world with more than half a million foreign subsidiaries. It is estimated that these corporations account for 20% of world production and 70% of world trade. Opinion is divided on whether globalization is having a positive or negative effect on local economies and cultures. However, there is no doubt that in the world of work, there is more communication and Interdependence between people of different cultures and languages than ever before. This greater contact carries both benefits and potential problems. Cultural differences may be seen in very obvious ways such as office hours, dress codes, and food. Attitudes towards punctuality, for example, may vary from one country to another, and there may be different attitudes to the use of titles in conversation and the exchange of business cards. Body language and gestures are also a rich area for making cultural faux pas. It may be important in certain cultures how you offer and accept a gift, or whether or not you can show the soles of your shoes. There are also more subtle, and therefore potentially more 'dangerous', differences that can affect work and relationships in the workplace. Employees in different countries may have quite different attitudes towards the significance of planning, of how to manage meetings and negotiations, and the importance of teamwork. Misunderstandings may well be embarrassing, but they may also determine whether a meeting or project is a success or a failure.

So it comes as no surprise that there are many books and courses available which aim to help people work more effectively with colleagues and clients from other countries.

Activity 2. Find words in the text with the following meanings:

a) a company that is owned or controlled by another company

b) the relationship between production, trade and the supply of money in a particular country or region

c) connected with trade, industry and development of a country, an area or a society

d) the way that somebody thinks and feels about somebody or something, and behaves towards somebody or something difficult to detect or analyze, not immediately obvious or comprehensible

Activity 3. Compare the meanings of the words economics and economy. A good dictionary may help you.

Activity 4. Fill in the gaps with the words economy, economics, economic and economist.

Keynesian -------- is a macroeconomic theory based on the ideas of 20th century British --------- John Maynard Keynes. Starting in 2008, there has been a resurgence of interest in Keynesian -------- among policy makers in the world's industrialized ----------. The then -------- climate was the reason.

Activity 5. Companies often try to improve their products. Why do you think they do this? What can possibly go wrong?

Now read the article and answer the question: why wasn't New Coke successful?

Дата добавления: 2015-09-03