Discuss about the Market Cultural Report of France for Issue In International Business.
The country chosen by me is France for preparing my market cultural report as my relatives stay there and they have a full well flourished business over there. And also I have been there many a times.
Language: French is the most predominant language and rest a small fraction of people speaks German, Italian.
Religion: Catholicism religion is followed in France.
Food: Cuisine and drink are the important features of their culture.
Clothing: People wear mostly overcoats, dresses, suits, round flattish cap scarves around the neck etc
Celebrations: They celebrate Christmas, Easter, Labour day on 1 may.
Art: Louvre museum which has works like Mona lisa, Venus de Milo is the largest museum in world (Zimmermann,2015)
Culture-Generalized and specific features:
Generalized: Leaders are idealized, unexceptional and permit significant influence
Specific: State and family has a vital role in society. A perfect leader has features like strong active path and team formation by mutual consent.
Political and Economic Background: France has witnessed different political behaviors in past. Prior to French revolution, Elitist and aristocratic ideals were seen in society but after it, egalitarian and radical norms became popular. Now France claims of firmness in government, real administration, legal and education structures. Industrial transformation arrived after date in France. Principle of liberty, equality and fraternity’ developed and blowout in the world during French revolution (Robert J. House, Paul Hanges, Dorfman, Vipin, Javidan, 2004).
Industrial Relations: There is an indecisive approach towards authority (employees depend on state and still challenge power). Teamwork is certified by some rules made centrally. Trade unions were a challenging strength in industry (Robert J. House, Paul Hanges, Dorfman, Vipin, Javidan, 2004).
Intellectual and Elitist Traditions: French scholars have distinct position in society and choose elites that are literate and can control state or school (Grandees Ecoles).
Officials in France give importance to business dealings that lasts for longer duration.
People carrying out business in France are frank, curious or investigative in nature
If anything goes against their customs, the people will not admit that thing and also the people usually do not take high threats.
Working hours in a business organization is from 9:00 in the morning to 7:00 in evening.
Business Communication: For a business to carry out communication is necessary. The culture provides the basis for effective communication as culture tells us about the behavior as well as different ideologies of the people. Actions and talks varies in between the countries, so having idea about the culture can help in understanding of these also. For carrying business in France a number of verbal and non verbal issues of communication should be kept in mind
Verbal: Converse and give opinion on that topic on which you have adequate knowledge. French political background, customs, history should be studied. Try and answer questions related to your home town. People in France are fond of food, so this can be an easy topic to talk about (Business communication,2014).
Nonverbal: use English and France both on your visiting card. Give the card whoever you meet in an office. Mention your degree as French people lay great emphasis on it (Business communication,2014).
Language used: French language is spoken in France. English which is considered as an international trade language all over the world is also used. A person who can carry out business with foreigners in his language will always dominate. Inspite of using English, a small part of French language should also be used, as these people consider this as a token of respect to their nation (Business communication,2014)
Business meetings and meals: Prior to any business meeting, the French people take some time to know about their coworkers. Relations are very important in France. Secrecy is kept between their professional and personal life. People usually do not hang out after office, they went back to their home. The first look of a person is very important as the person wearing costly items like jewellery is welcomed for carrying out business. Business lunch are not very usual (Doing Business in France,2016).
Greetings: In France shaking of hands is considered a very light style of greeting others. Kiss on cheeks is also very common. But preferably this style of greeting should be used only if female starts with it. The French people gives their introduction as by stating their last name first and then the first name (Doing Business in France,2016).
Body language: Position of the body is very important. Eye to eye contact is also essential. Touching, palming is normal in business etiquette. Hands should not be in the pockets. Raising of the thumb signifies approval and a circle made by thumb and first finger is a negative impression. Slapping is considered as an impolite behavior (Doing Business in France,2016).
Initial contact: Meetings should be planned around 2 weeks before and information on headings, positions, and duties of people attending the meeting should be given before time.
Meeting: Prior to meeting a few minute talk is considered good. They consider business meetings as an intelligent task. So reasoning will lead the meetings which may at some point of time go deep. In between the debate, the center of meetings may also shift. Statistics show that the first meeting will not conclude in making decisions. The presentations shown should be good and clear audio-visuals should be used.
Closing the Deal: There is authoritative rule that is decision is made by person on top. French people are very patient. Patience in business is highly respected while stress can react adversely. So the violent and in a hurry methods of selling can yield a negative response.
Written Agreements: After a business meeting is over, people usually write the discussions and then exchange. They do not depend on oral speeches. After the contract has been signed the changing of details are considered ill.
Decision Making: The business people do not take decisions in the early stage, they usually converse with highly qualified people and then take decisions. So the judgment making process is quite slow.
People in Singapore use English as the language in business terms while in France, French is used commonly and a little stress on English (Etiquette in Singapore and France,2016).
Business dress up in Singapore is full sleeves shirt, tie and pants (dark color) for men and blouse, skirts for women. French dress up includes coat, tie, and dresses (Etiquette in Singapore and France, 2016).
Singapore establish business relations with people whom they are aware of and know very well and should have trust while the French people are interested in people who are rich and wear costly items. They can establish relations with anyone.
Punctuality is very important in Singapore while in France it is not that important. You can reach 10-15 minutes late (Singapore: business and workplace culture, 2016).
First and the initial contact with a person in Singapore can be done with a third person who knows both while in France contact can be made by himself only.
In Singapore gifts are given in business but French people consider giving gifts as not ideal.
In Singapore Greetings are given by shaking of hands and bowing of head but in France greetings are given by a light hand shake and by kissing on cheeks.
Working hours in offices in Singapore are from 8:30 in the morning to 5:00 in the evening while in France timings are from 9:00 in morning to 7:00 in evening.
People from all communities lives in Singapore like Chinese, Indians, Malay, Eurasians while in France mostly French and German people settles.
In Singapore introduction is given by first giving the family name and then his personal name while in France last name followed by first name and the degree he holds.
In Singapore visiting cards are given by using both hands and are also taken using both hands. Nothing should be written on these and should be kept with respect. This is not the case in France. You can give your card to anyone you meet in an office.
In Singapore both sex are considered as equal. Business lunch are accepted in Singapore while in France lunches are not usual and the meetings can be planned before 12 or after 2.
In Singapore score of individualism is 20, this means working in groups is done and not on personal basis and thus people are dependent on one another. All the works and workers are interconnected while in France people are not depend on one another.
Also, the business decisions in Singapore is taken collectively while in France decisions are made by people on top.
In Singapore rules and regulations can change from time to time depending on situation while in France people stick to the rules and regulations and thus are not changed.
Dr. Greet Hofstede developed a study to help a person to carry out business within a country by making him understand about the difference in culture from theirs. He also studies how the ethics in a region are governed by culture in that region. He proposed a 6 dimensional model for it. 5 keys are mentioned below and sixth one is the indulgence.
Individualism versus collectivism: Individualism is where the people are not dependent on each other whereas collectivism is where people form groups, take care of each other and thus are dependent. France favors individualism. In France workers and the association formed by workers do not know each other. They keep their work life and personal life different as the workers feel pressurized when they are emotionally dependent on their leader (Geert Hofstede,2016).
Power distance: lays emphasis on the amount of equality or inequality in a country’s population. A grater index shows that inequalities between power and wealth exists within the society. In this kind of societies caste system exists. A lesser index shows the opposite. These kinds of societies lays stress on equality and is ready to give chance to everyone. In France this score is 68. Companies in France have more categorized level than in other countries company. The people who have the power can make decisions in a company (Geert Hofstede, 2016).
Uncertainty avoidance: This index shows the degree to which the people of a country are exposed to vague or uncertain state and have formed opinions and try to neglect these. A greater score shows that the country follows guidelines and regulations while low score shows that the country agrees for a change and undertakes large amount of threats. In France, score is high, around 86. French people often used to plan in advance and require all materials before starting any business meeting. Thus they are skilled in producing difficult technologies and structures (Mortelette, 2011).
Achievement versus Nurturing: This index is basically masculine versus feminine. As nurturing is always in context with female and achievement with male. A greater masculine score shows that country is governed by struggle, victory or success. This approach starts from the school life and continues throughout life. A lesser masculine score or greater feminine shows that there is nurturing for others in the society and always be a part of mass and also lays emphasis on superiority of life and also on relations. France has somewhat feminine culture or nurturing culture. According to a system in France, a person works for 35 hours in a week and around 5 weeks in a year are holidays. So the superiority of life is preferred. Another peculiar thing is that the high class always opts for the feminine whereas the middle or the employed class always choses masculine. In France the persons who are married can roam anywhere in society with their lovers. There is very little or no punishment for this crime as the society favors feminine approach and emphasizes on quality of life (Geert Hofstede,2016).
Long term orientation: is the grade to which the country holds or not, long lasting commitment towards old-fashioned, advanced intellectual beliefs. Greater long term orientation denotes that the society advises to long lasting commitments and respect for custom. Thus believed to withstand a solid work principle where long lasting awards are given for the heavy work done at present. A low score denotes the opposite where in the society is capable of changing as long lasting traditions do not prevail and thus does not become barriers for change. France gives a score of 63 which is high and thus gives a practical and logical approach to society. There is a thinking that the degree of truth varies with time, perspective as well as situation. So traditions can be easily accepted with change in situations. There is also a huge tendency to protect and spend in attaining results (Mortelette,2011).
Conclusion
Thus the foreign companies needs to understand the culture, the customs, the traditions prevailing with in the country to carry out business over there. As by knowing all this the behavior and nature of the people, their rules regulations, how to put yourself in a business meeting, how to greet others, the body language, dressing sense, how you can influence the people living there can be known. Thus analysis of culture is very important.
Reference List
Etiquette in Singapore and France. (2016). Wander bat by Graphiq.
Brown, C. Clarke, D. (2016). Doing Business in France. Today Translations.
Business Communication. (2014). Passport to trade: a bridge to success.
Singapore: Business and workplace culture. (2016). Expat focus.
Basse, B. (n.d.). Business Culture In Singapore. Denmark in Singapore: Ministry of foreign affairs of Denmark.
Mortelette, A. (2011). The Hofstede’s cultural classification model: the case of France. Prezi.
Zimmermann, Ann, Kim. (2015). French culture: customs and traditions. Live Science.
Geert Hofstede. (n.d.). ITIM International.
France. (n.d.). Countries and their cultures.
House, J, R. Hanges, P. Javidan. Dorfman. (2004). Culture, Leadership, and Organizations: The GLOBE Study of 62 Societies. Pennsylvania , USA: Robert J.House.
Young, P. (2014). Ten lessons for doing Business in Singapore. Business spectator.
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