Week 8 Written Assignment
Ahmet Abdullah Akdeniz
Southern States University
BU 524 – Strategic Management
Dr. Jesse Alunan
June 4, 2023
Contents
Week 8 Written Assignment 3
Introduction 3
Comparison of American Business Culture with Foreign Business Cultures 3
Strategic Implications for Microsoft 4
Conclusion 4
References 5 Week 8 Written Assignment
Introduction
Microsoft is one of the world’s largest technology companies, operating in various countries and regions around the world. As a result, the company has to operate within different business cultures, each with its unique set of values, customs, and norms. This paper will compare and contrast American business culture with foreign business cultures and will explain why this is a strategic issue for Microsoft.
Comparison of American Business Culture with Foreign Business Culture
American business culture is characterized by informality, directness, and a focus on individualism. The culture emphasizes the importance of time and values efficiency and productivity (Adler, 2015). In contrast, foreign business cultures can vary widely depending on the country or region. For example, Asian cultures place a greater emphasis on hierarchy and respect for authority, while European cultures value more formal
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In addition, in many countries, particularly in Asia, indirect communication is preferred as a means of showing respect and avoiding conflict, which can be quite different from the more direct communication style favored in the United States (Gudykunst, 2012). Moreover, in some cultures, such as those in the Middle East, business negotiations are conducted at a slower pace, with a greater focus on building personal relationships and establishing trust before any business deals are made (Hofstede & Minkov,