IndiaGlobal Culture

Opening Remarks

India’s Culture

Intro to

India

India’s Culture

The last decade has witnessed the emergence of India as the center for “business process outsourcing” in the global market

India’s Culture

In India, ideas and beliefs have constituted the state’s strategic outlook and behavior

India’s Culture

Large multinational corporations are using India as a primary hub for the Business Process Outsourcing in the global market

India’s Culture

The development of new information and communications technology made possible the outsourcing of jobs that do not require face-to-face customer service and that allow for telecommuting by telephone and/or the internet

India’s Culture

For educated workers who speak English and possess technological skills India has temporarily become a land of opportunity

India’s Culture

The lack of documentation and strategy reports has given rise to misperceptions regarding Indian strategic thinking

India’s Social Issues

Indian

Business

Relationships & Communication

Indians prefer to do business with people they know.› Relationships are built upon trust and

respect.› Credibility is important when you are

first meeting a client. If possible, have a mutual friend introduce

you to gain credibility

Relationships & Communication

A quick handshake for male Indians is widely acceptable now days› Males should NOT initiate a handshake

with an Indian woman. She should initiate it.

› Business cards are given out right after the handshake

Relationships & Communication

TAKE CAREFUL NOTE OF HOW THEIR NAME IS PRONOUNCED.› It is disrespectful to forget, misspell, or

mispronounce someone’s name.› Do not call them by their first name

unless permitted by the person.

Business Meetings

At the beginning of the first meeting, do not expect to jump right into business.› “Get-to-know-you” talk will take up

most, if not the whole meeting

Business Meetings

› When making small talk, stay away from personal questions like: Marital status Age Income Qualifications

› When listening, do not fold your arms or hands on hips- it is a sign of aggression

Business Meetings

Punctuality is admired and impressive

Do not be offended if your clients have not arrived by the scheduled time of the meeting.› They may think that your time is

“flexible”

Business Meetings

It is a good idea to confirm your meeting as they do get cancelled on short notice occasionally› Keep your schedule flexible in case of

having to reschedule.› Provide material ahead of time so that

they can familiarize themselves before the meeting.

Business Meetings

› When it is your turn to speak, be brief and concise. Get your point across, but do not be wordy. Do not RUSH either. Rushing through a meeting is a sign of

disrespect because you are meeting with friends now, not business acquaintances.

Business Meetings

When you address a number of people, always address the most important person first.› Hierarchy is very important› The casts system still plays a role in

business

Business Dress

Formal is more appropriate› Depending on weather, you may dress a

little more casual› Always formal on first meeting

Geert Hofstede’s Dimensions

Power Dista

nce

Power Distance

Extent to which the less powerful members of organizations and institutions (like the family) accept and expect that power is distributed unequally.

Is highest on Power Distance in Hofstede’s Cultural Dimensions and compared to the rest of the world

World Rank: 56 India Rank: 77

Long Term Orientation

Because they are Long Term Oriented this can be the result of perseverant and Parsimonious

World Rank: 48 India Rank: 61

Masculinity

India is ranked as third for Masculinity in Hofstede Dimension

There is a large gap between the values of men and women. This generates a more competitive and assertive female population

World Rank: 51 Indian Rank: 56

Avoidance

They are very low on Uncertain Avoidance

The culture is more open to unstructured ideas and situations

There are fewer rules and regulations World Rank: 65 India Rank: 40

Closing Remarks

Questions or Comments?

Sources

http://www.allacademic.com/meta/p_mla_apa_research_citation/1/0/9/5/2/p109522_index.html

http://psycnet.apa.org/index.cfm?fa=search.displayRecord&uid=2002-18352-003

http://www.allacademic.com/meta/p_mla_apa_research_citation/2/5/2/7/3/p252732_index.html

Sources (Cont’d)

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DcC1R42Q8H8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UnfuaxEgKBA

http://www.youtube.com/v/UnfuaxEgKBA&hl=en&fs=1

http://www.youtube.com/v/UnfuaxEgKBA&hl=en&fs=1

www.geert-hofstede.com