Culture and Business - Article Example

Opinion article From the article, it is evident that the impact of culture on business is massive especially in negotiations. Culture in business affects the operation, focus and the hierarchy of leadership. The role of culture in business has been massive because they determine the mode of operation and facilitates the development of the operational culture (Volkema 630). Culture defines the development of relationships between suppliers and customers as well the development of a marketing plan and objectives.

The culture of the countries differs significantly especially when interested in venturing into countries in the Middle East. The historical and socio-cultural difference must be factored in during the process, to facilitate the faster understanding of the negotiation, thus, making it possible for a win -win solution. The key to successful communication between different cultures is knowledge. The understanding of the problems affecting cross cultural communication and working towards overcoming the problems will ensure successful negotiations.

There are four factors that affect cross cultural negotiation namely; use of time, individualism versus collectivism, role orderliness and conformity, and patterns of communication. Use of time differs from culture to culture. Most of The citizens from America, Swiss, Germans and Australian are fast paced and precise with their approach to time. There is a tendency of negotiators from these countries to keep time on the planned schedules. In other countries, time keeping especially when dealing with officers holding higher ranks in the society.

A delay for two months for a project in the Middle East will be considered normal while in Europe it will consider abnormal.Works CitedVolkema, Roger J. "Why People Dont Ask: Understanding Initiation Behavior in International Negotiations." Thunderbird International Business Review (2012): 625-637.