Global Business Cultural Analysis: Germany

Global Business Cultural Analysis: Germany
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Abstract
Culture is the programming of the mind in a collective manner that makes members of one group different from another group, and this programming is passed from one generation to the next. In collective programming, culture differentiates one individual from the other. Culture is part and parcel of every society and, therefore, affects each and every member of society and extends even to the societal activities. A culture is unique to a particular society, community, and country. Therefore, every member of that community or country is required to respect the cultural norms, values and beliefs inherent in the country/community’s culture. With the advent of globalization, different cultures are increasingly interacting with each other socially, economically, politically, and in many more dimensions. In business, successful operations require an understanding of the foreign culture the business intends to operate in. Brian Satterlee provides nine elements and dimensions that are present in every culture and affect cross border commerce. This paper is a global cultural analysis that compares cultures of the USA and Germany. Therefore, this paper discusses the nine elements and dimensions of culture in relation to Germany and provides a description of how these elements are integrated by locals (Germans) in conducting business. This paper, in addition, discusses the differences between the US and Germany on the basis of the elements and, finally provide a description of the implications of businesses in the United States intending to operate in Germany
Introduction
A time existed when Coca-Cola was the benchmark of a global company selling its products in nearly every country and in almost all languages. However, today, the world has gotten fond of MacDonald’s that sells its hamburgers in Hong Kong, Karachi, and Beijing. Pick-up trucks and salon cars from Toyota are in every road globally, and Sony televisions are found in almost every home globally (United Nations, 2000).
The times we are living in are regarded as "the golden age for business, trade, and commerce." There has never been a time in history where opportunities to buy and sell as many goods as are sold to people today. Even though the big companies may dominate the global business, even the smaller emerging companies are today experiencing an explosion. For example, the handmade hammock made by the indigenous Guyana people is marketed via the internet. This is due to the current instant information and communications platforms, the slightly over 50 people found on the remote Pitcairn Island can now sell their handicrafts in any part of the world (United Nations, 2000).
Tradeoffs have been in existence since time in memorial between countries and societies, but never to the scale that exists today. Reduced trade barriers, financial liberalization, and revolutions in ...