P7 Explore the cultural differences affecting international businesses
Languages
In business, a language is an important tool for communicating and networking with others.
Language provides a means of communication that anybody, anywhere in the globe, may
utilize to make doing business easier and more efficient. Every day, however, over 6,500
different languages are spoken throughout the world. This creates a substantial language
barrier, making it difficult for businesses and individuals to communicate since they don't
understand each other. For example, Coca-Cola in China translates to “bite the wax tadpole”
or “female horse stuffed with wax” depending on the dialect. Coca-Cola then researched
40,000 characters to find a phonetic equivalent, eventually settling on “kokoe kole” which
translates as “happiness in the mouth”. Languages are becoming increasingly translatable in
seconds as a result of technological breakthroughs such as Google Translate, which allows
users to talk into their phone and have it translated into a variety of languages for someone
else to read or hear.
Social Structure
The class systems that operate in countries are referred to as social structures. In the United
Kingdom, for example, there is a social class structure that operates and goes from the elite
social class, which comprises the top 6% of British society, to the lower social class, which
has low qualification levels and poor economic wealth. In Japan, the class system is quite
traditional, and it contains multiple high levels such as the middle and upper classes, just like
in the United Kingdom. Knowing the class structure of various nations may assist companies
to figure out where partnerships are needed, who to contact and collaborate with in terms of
partnerships, and how to design more precise, focused marketing for their product or service
based on that country's class structure. One such example of a social structure in a business
is the executives at McDonalds who are classified as higher up than say a regular store
manager.
Religions
There are many different religions around the world, each with its own influence on the
people who practice it. Alcohol consumption is prohibited in some religions, such as Islam
and Buddhism. It is permissible for other religions, such as Christianity. Knowing the
religious inclinations of business executives attending a corporate dinner may have a
significant influence on how such events are conducted. Corporate dinners are frequently
held to help attendees network, thus it is critical that these events adhere to all parties'
religious standards to avoid offending. Religion may have an impact on how businesses
work. Sharia Law is in effect in several Muslim-majority nations, and this has an impact on
companies' ability to borrow money or get mortgages. In major restaurants and minor
restaurants around the world managers are adapting to the religious needs for Muslims. For
example 100% of the meat in McDonalds is halal so people who support the muslim
ideology will have their needs met.
Attitudes To Business
Languages
In business, a language is an important tool for communicating and networking with others.
Language provides a means of communication that anybody, anywhere in the globe, may
utilize to make doing business easier and more efficient. Every day, however, over 6,500
different languages are spoken throughout the world. This creates a substantial language
barrier, making it difficult for businesses and individuals to communicate since they don't
understand each other. For example, Coca-Cola in China translates to “bite the wax tadpole”
or “female horse stuffed with wax” depending on the dialect. Coca-Cola then researched
40,000 characters to find a phonetic equivalent, eventually settling on “kokoe kole” which
translates as “happiness in the mouth”. Languages are becoming increasingly translatable in
seconds as a result of technological breakthroughs such as Google Translate, which allows
users to talk into their phone and have it translated into a variety of languages for someone
else to read or hear.
Social Structure
The class systems that operate in countries are referred to as social structures. In the United
Kingdom, for example, there is a social class structure that operates and goes from the elite
social class, which comprises the top 6% of British society, to the lower social class, which
has low qualification levels and poor economic wealth. In Japan, the class system is quite
traditional, and it contains multiple high levels such as the middle and upper classes, just like
in the United Kingdom. Knowing the class structure of various nations may assist companies
to figure out where partnerships are needed, who to contact and collaborate with in terms of
partnerships, and how to design more precise, focused marketing for their product or service
based on that country's class structure. One such example of a social structure in a business
is the executives at McDonalds who are classified as higher up than say a regular store
manager.
Religions
There are many different religions around the world, each with its own influence on the
people who practice it. Alcohol consumption is prohibited in some religions, such as Islam
and Buddhism. It is permissible for other religions, such as Christianity. Knowing the
religious inclinations of business executives attending a corporate dinner may have a
significant influence on how such events are conducted. Corporate dinners are frequently
held to help attendees network, thus it is critical that these events adhere to all parties'
religious standards to avoid offending. Religion may have an impact on how businesses
work. Sharia Law is in effect in several Muslim-majority nations, and this has an impact on
companies' ability to borrow money or get mortgages. In major restaurants and minor
restaurants around the world managers are adapting to the religious needs for Muslims. For
example 100% of the meat in McDonalds is halal so people who support the muslim
ideology will have their needs met.
Attitudes To Business
