Strategic Management Case

Strategic Management Case

Introduction

Different countries have different social structures, business norms and types form relationships. Analysis of cultural norms is not a means to determine a "model" way of life, but it's a way to understand how countries and people at local, national and international levels interact.

Step # 1: Interviews

Interviews were conducted with the citizens of four different countries which include China, India, Africa and Russia. The main cultural differences were identified during these interviews. These identifications will help McDonald to understand their culture for business expansion.

Chinese and American Culture

China has a very formal and hierarchical social structure that extends to corporate, institutional and family life.  In America there is more fluid between groups of employees, managers, children and adults often joint decisions and enjoy social events together.

In China, people think about ideas in a collective sense, often consider how their actions will affect their friends, neighbors and colleagues before making a decision.  In America is about individual goals and motives to prioritize the collective norm. This ethos is often actively encouraged to achieve the promotion of ambition and drive, business and personal success.

In China, the term 'Guan Xi' usually refers to the importance of developing social networks for businesses. In the U.S. it is more cut throat process with emphasis on speed and efficiency through building relationships.

Humility and respect are very important in Chinese culture. Individuals should treat each other well and show modesty discussion success or not to debate at all. In America, people are comfortable discussing openly play up and praise success with humility are seen by some as a weakness.

Reputation of each and every member of the society is very important in China. Actions that may humiliate or may ruin someone's reputation are often avoided. In contrast, in U.S. reputation at work does not matter much and they focus upon the end result.

Chinese people see humility as a revered virtue. Personal life or One's business success is downplayed. On the other hand the successes in America are lauded. Humility is considered to be assign of weakness in the fact business scenario of United States.

Americans are sensitive to time and prefer meeting the deadlines. On the other hand time is a suggestion for Chinese rather than a priority.

Chinese people prefer to communicate in their own language and most of them are not proficient in English language while Americans are also not much aware of the Chinese language.

African and American Culture

Africans prefer to rely on families for mental and social support. On the other Americans see health care professionals and counselors for their problems.

In Africa females are not considered to be independent and seldom work at professional level while Americans stress upon working women.

Communication differences are also present between them. Africans cannot speak English language in American accent which becomes hard for an American to understand.

Eye contact is considered to be a sign of honesty and determination in U.S while in Africa it is considered to be a challenge to the authority.

A strong and pro-longed handshake is ...