Cultural Similarities and Difference on Business

Question: Discuss about the Cultural Similarities and Difference on Business. Answer: Introduction In the business world, positive interaction and the good business relationship is imperative for a successful execution of the daily business operations in the global industry (Stahl Tung, 2015). The business industry unites people from different backgrounds and platforms with a mix of culture and beliefs that affect the nature of the business in several ways. In their study, Jin, Zhou and Wang (2016) points out that business deals are often lost when the parties involved do not take their ample time of learning about the culture of the other business partners before the interaction process. In the case study, United Arab Emirates (UAE) is known to be a global business destination located along the southern approach and a global transit of crude oil. The foundation of the UAE business environment is dependent on the collaboration between seven emirates that forms part of the UAE. Forces that shaped UAEs culture With a population of two million people, Ardalan (2014) denotes that UAE has emerged a truly global business center with a mix of cultures. However, only 10% of the population is Arabs while the rest of the population is foreigners who are expatriates. The most common language spoken by the citizen is Arabic and Islam as the major religion. With expatriates forming the largest population in the UAE, there was a great need for understanding how cultural similarities and differences can influence the business industry in Dubai and the global market. In the process of cultural interactions, many studies point out that multinational enterprises, organizations, and federal states often evaluates their core uniqueness on how to leverage the global market arena, a step that required a focus on the similarities across cultures as opposed to the differences. As a result, it was essential that exposition opportunities such as creating minds, creating the future helped Dubai communities opportu nities of showcasing their cultural strengths and characteristics in interacting with the foreigners. However, Gavriel (2012) denotes that the question remains on how similarities in the culture can outweigh cultural differences in the current and future business. Such expositions are essential in creating platforms for new ideas in different facets of professionalism on industrialization, cultural exchange, and national branding. Possible misunderstanding between Western-based visitors and UAE in the World Expo 2020 In their study, Stahl and Tung (2015) assert that the trend at which globalization is accelerating has caused a complete turn-around in the international trade arena. In other words, more business opportunities, as well as profits, are yet to be discovered in other countries while places like UAE that have internationally demanded products open opportunities for foreign investment. In such cases, the cultural difference becomes more effective as it people of different regions comes together to interact for better understanding as well as acceptance of the different cultures for an effective and positive relationship as well as success (Kumar, 2014). Therefore, calling awareness that motivates actions that embrace different cultures interaction among communities outweighs all the rest. However, during the World Expo 2020, Western-based visitors are likely to face challenges with the language and religion influences since most of the UAE citizens only speak Arabin and are Islams. In hi s study, Ardalan (2014) points out that cross-cultural awareness is an opportunity for businesses and international associate to adapt to the global village for effective communication and integration for current and future business. Additionally, Gavriel (2012) points out that conducting business with communities or nations from different cultures can as well impact the negotiations in case they have ongoing political disputes. Advice for Western companies considering business in the UAE for the first time According to Hardy and Tolhurst (2014), the more nations with different historical and cultural experiences interact in the global business platform, the potential for misunderstandings on different business expectations are reduced. The same study denotes that some cultures have a strong sense of nationalism as well as government pride. Huge future investments in such countries can only be comfortable and willing to purchase in such states with a government backing. Despite the advantages of cultural differences in business, it has disadvantages that can affect the performance of the current and future business. For instance, Gao (2016) denotes that the level of gender views, conservatism, and ideologies can vary greatly between cultures. In business, presenting a campaign strategy which is not in line with the specific cultural norms can easily insult the target audience resulting to hindrances of a successful campaign. As a result, any western-based company doing business in UAE f or the first time requires understanding the Islamic culture so as to effectively relate with the Arabic communities in the process of business transactions. Cultural similarities and difference on business It is hence worth concluding that cultural differences hence gives the opportunity for businesses to develop new ideas on sustainability, opportunity, mobility, and creativity that can lead to the improvement of manufacture, supply, branding, marketing, and use of products for the current and future business. However, cultural similarities limit the possible exposure of such new ideas leading to limited innovation and creativity as well as diversity in business ideas. With globalization, technological advancements, and stiff competition in the global market, the word has been united into a small village that is made up of different cultures that need to interact effectively for a successful future business relationship. Conclusion Sharing the cultural differences and values between such communities hence enable positive business relationships while sharing business ideas that can transform the business performance to meet the global standards (Schuster Copeland, 2015). In my opinion, cultural similarities cannot outweigh cultural differences but will instead limit the interaction process and sharing of ideas when in business centers such as UAE where the majority of the population differs in culture but need to interact for a common goal of successful business positively. References Ardalan, K. (2014). Globalization and culture: Four paradigmatic views. International Journal of Social Economics, 36(5), 513-534. doi:10.1108/03068290910954013 Gao, X. (2016). Cultural differences between East Asian and North American in temporal orientation.Review Of General Psychology,20(1), 118-127. doi:10.1037/gpr0000070 Gavriel, M. (2012). Cultural Similarities and Differences: Impacts on Performance in Strategic Partnerships, inCary L. Cooper,Sydney Finkelstein(ed.)Advances in Mergers and Acquisitions (Advances in Mergers and Acquisitions, Volume 10)Emerald Group Publishing Limited, pp.55 74 Hardy, C., Tolhurst, D. (2014). Epistemological Beliefs and Cultural Diversity Matters in Management Education and Learning: A Critical Review and Future Directions.Academy Of Management Learning Education,13(2), 265-289. doi:10.5465/amle.2012.0063 Jin, J. L., Zhou, K. Z., Wang, Y. (2016). Exploitation and Exploration in International Joint Ventures: Moderating Effects of Partner Control Imbalance and Product Similarity.Journal Of International Marketing,24(4), 20-38. doi:10.1509/jim.15.0164 Kumar, V. (2014). Understanding Cultural Differences in Innovation: A Conceptual Framework and Future Research Directions.Journal Of International Marketing,22(3), 1-29. Schuster, C. P., Copeland, M. J. (2015). Executive Insights: Global Business Exchanges -- Similarities and Differences Around the World.Journal Of International Marketing,7(2), 63-80. Stahl, G.K. Tung, R. (2015). Towards a more balanced treatment of culture in international business studies: The need for positive cross-cultural scholarship. Journal of International Business Studies, 46, 391-414.