Management Styles in Iran and Germany: A Case Study of Pelikan

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I would take this opportunity to thank my research supervisor, family and friends for their support and guidance without which this research would not have been possible.

DECLARATION

I, [type your full first names and surname here], declare that the contents of this dissertation/thesis represent my own unaided work, and that the dissertation/thesis has not previously been submitted for academic examination towards any qualification. Furthermore, it represents my own opinions and not necessarily those of the University.

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ABSTRACT

This research provides a holistic concept of management styles and culture. The main focus of of this research is on various cultures and its impact on the management styles adopted by the managers. In today's world, as the competition has been increasing day by day, the companies need to expand their business in various countries and for that they need to understand their cultural backgrounds. This research explains the importance of cross-cultural management and how its can help the managers for communicating and managing the employees. Furthermore, this research has chosen case study of Pelikan for analysing the difference between the management styles of Germany Iran. This research follows the qualitative approach by collecting the data from internet and conducting survey from the managers and employees of Pelikan. Finally, on the basis of data and information collected, the research analyses various factors and provides recommendation to improve the management styles in order to increase the effectiveness of the management styles.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTII

DECLARATIONIII

ABSTRACTIV

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION1

1.1 Contextual Background1

1.2 Aims and Objectives2

1.3 Rationale of Study2

1.4 Research Questions3

CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW5

2.1 Definition of Culture5

2.2 Cross Cultural Management8

2.2.1 Cultural Dimension10

2.2.2 Impact of Culture on the Employee's Attitude towards Work12

2.3 Impact of culture on communication and management styles13

2.4 Management Concepts and Culture14

2.4.1 Administrative Theory for Management17

2.5 Different Styles of Management Styles18

2.5.1 Directing19

2.5.2 Supportive style19

2.5.3 Delegating20

2.5.4 Coaching21

2.6 Management styles in different countries23

CHAPTER 3: METHODOLOGY27

3.1 Research Strategy27

3.2 Research Philosophy27

3.3 Population and Sample28

3.4 Research Methods29

3.5 Data Analysis29

3.6 Anticipated Limitations30

3.7 The Research Schedule and Resources30

3.8 Benefits and Disadvantages of Mixed Method31

3.9 Validity32

3.10 Informed Consent33

3.11 Confidentiality33

3.12 Reliability34

CHAPTER 4: RESULTS AND FINDINGS35

4.1 Management Styles Practiced by Pelikan in Iran35

4.1.1 Attitude towards Change35

4.1.2 Approach towards Priorities and Time Management36

4.1.3 Decision-Making Criteria36

4.1.4 Team Management37

4.2 Management Styles Practiced by Pelikan in Germany37

4.2.1 Attitude towards Change38

4.2.2 Approach towards Priorities and Time Management39

4.2.3 Decision-Making Criteria39

4.2.4 Team Management40

4.2.5 Negotiation and Communication Style40

4.3 Ideal Management Practices41

4.4 Limitations for Management Styles Practices by Pelikan in Iran and Germany41

CHAPTER 5: CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS43

5.1 Recommendations43

5.2 Conclusion44

REFERENCES47

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

1.1 Contextual Background

Pelikan was founded in 1838 in Hanover, Germany as a manufacturer of printing consumables and office and art equipment (Pelikan, 2011). The company registered its brand name in 1878 setting a platform for its sustained growth into a multinational company (Pelikan, 2011). The company would later merge with Nukote USA to form Pelikan Hardcopy in 1995. A subsequent buyout in 1999 would see Pelikan Hardcopy be renamed Pelikan Hardcopy International Ltd, a company whose main focus became the manufacture and distribution of printer supplies (Pelikan, ...