Working successfully with or doing
business in foreign countries requires a range of familiarities outside of those needed for national or regional business.
However, business activities offshore frequently require familiarity with a distinct set of business ethics and cultural differences
that are not ordinarily understood. Even when a nation’s businesses are
headquartered at home but operate facilities or subsidiaries abroad, understanding these differences is essential to successful
relations. This is even more true when relationships are carried on in countries who are not English speaking.
Multinational companies face differences
in culture, legal systems, language barriers, standards of living, ethics and business operating methods that must be realised,
understood and embraced. These IBCs or international business companies include banks, insurance companies, trading firms,
manufacturers, heavy construction, shipping, fast food, vehicle manufacturing and many more and they continue to proliferate
as economies become more global in nature. (Wikipedia, 2007).
It is the appreciation of and respect
for regional country and cultural differences or cultural diversity that must be understood in order to be successful in international
business operations. This is critically important as people from different backgrounds come together for a common economic
purpose. Learning the skills, proper etiquette, manners and means of intercultural communication represents the biggest challenge
for UK, US and Canadian companies who are committed to international business success.
This is evidenced, in part, by the fact that most MBA programs at leading schools worldwide emphasize these factors as an
essential facet of their programs for students seeking advanced business degrees. Some universities even offer MBA programs
specifically for international business. (Degree Abroad, 2007)
In order to remain competitive, companies
continue to search for top and middle management people who have relevant knowledge, experience and training in international
business. They search for individuals who understand international business finance, organizational behaviour, human resource
management, information technology, market research and analysis and also quantitative methods. Employees selected must understand
how individual interpersonal, group and organizational influences on behaviour influence the management process. Most of all,
they are expected to be able to communicate effectively and confidently both in person and in the written word.
It is easy to understand how having
important insights into the cultural dynamics of a region or country makes it easier to comprehend why it’s people act
the way that they do. It also is important to help international business employees know how they must act while doing business
abroad.
When outside of a formal international
business educational program, the best way to begin this orientation is to read extensively about the target country, its
customs and its people. There is also extensive coverage about the etiquette utilised within specific countries available
on the Internet by searching under international business etiquette. This will provide insights on do’s and don’ts
in areas like greetings, introductions, conversational behaviour, gift giving, dining, meetings, customs, protocol, negotiations
and general behaviour. (CyborLink.com 2007)
Right now there are more than seventy
colleges that offer two-year degrees in international business, trade and finance. These programs equip graduates to work
in positions such as sales, marketing, customer, service, currency conversion and shipping within offshore branches of multinational
firms. There are also on-line home study courses available for those determined to be self-educated about international business
operations.
References
Wikipedia (2007) “International
Business” (on-line)
Available from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Business
Accessed: 10-20-07
Degree Abroad (2007) “Master
of Business Administration in International Business” (on-line)
Available from: http://www.degreeabroad.com/listingsp3, cfm/listing/31693
Accessed: 10-20-07
International Business, Etiquette and
Manners (2007) (on-line)
Available from: http://www.cyborlink.com/
Accessed: 10-20-07
