Discussion post module 3: Hofstede IB discussion PDF

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Module three discussion post for the country Ireland in Intro to International Business....

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Hofstede’s Dimensions of Culture: Ireland (Hofstede, 2015) Power Distance: score of 28

Believes that inequalities amongst people should be minimized.  Hierarchy is established for convenience.  Informal communication with management, direct, and participative.  Managers and employees prefer consultative styles. Individualism: score of 70  Highly individualist culture.  Employee’s expected to be self-reliant and display initiative.  Hiring and promotion decisions are based on merit. Masculinity: score of 68  Success oriented and driven.  Proud of their successes and achievements, which offers a basis for hiring and promotional decisions.  Conflicts are resolved at the individual level and the goal is to win.  “Live to work”  Prefer to be seen as better than others. Uncertainty Avoidance: score of 35  Ideas are important, being imaginative is appreciated.  Businesses embrace creativity.  Making a point with facts is valued more than someone using too much technical jargon. Long-Term Orientation: score of 24  Culture classified as normative.  Strong concern with establishing the absolute Truth.  Exhibits great respect for traditions.  Small tendency to save for the future, and a focus on achieving quick results. Communication (Ireland - Language, Culture, Customs and Etiquette, 2016) 

Language [ CITATION Lan12 \l 1033 ]: English (97.51%), Irish Gaelic (17.09%), French (10.63%)  

Nonverbal: Firm handshakes, shaking hands with everyone, make eye contact, it is customary to shake hands with older children. Bragging and being loud is impolite and creates suspicion, being silent during a meeting is perceived as cold and impolite.

Business Etiquette (Ireland - Language, Culture, Customs and Etiquette, 2016) (Business meeting etiquette in Ireland, 2019) 

Appointments should be made two weeks in advance.

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When meeting someone’s secretary it is customary to provide a gift, particularly flowers. However, do not give white flowers (used at funerals) or lilies (used at religious festivals). Allow more time for meetings. The Irish do not like to feel rushed. Everyone is expected to participate in business meetings. Business cards are exchanged after the initial introductions without formal ritual. When meeting trust is established through eye contact. The Irish are generally casual, less formal, and outwardly friendly.

Business Observations:  

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Communication risks might exist between Ireland and countries who prefer more formal communication between managers, supervisors, and employees. In Ireland it is preferred that people use facts to make a point instead of someone using too many technical words/phrases. This could create issues with countries and individuals who prefer to communicate with more technical terms. A good way to motivate employees would be to give them challenges since Ireland is a highly individualist country. Considerations for the country’s traditions will be important in the workplace.

Bibliography Business meeting etiquette in Ireland. (2019). Retrieved from Passport to Trade 2.0: https://businessculture.org/northern-europe/ireland/business-meeting-etiquette/ Ireland - Language, Culture, Customs and Etiquette. (2016). Retrieved from Commisceo-Global : https://www.commisceo-global.com/resources/country-guides/ireland-guide Languages in Ireland. (2012). Retrieved from Language Knowledge: https://www.languageknowledge.eu/countries/ireland...