The Cultural Challenges of Doing Business Overseas
RUNNING HEAD: THE CULTURAL CHALLENGES OF DOING BUSINESS OVERSEAS
The Cultural Challenges of Doing Business Overseas
Cristal Mitchell
University of Phoenix Introduction
To the average person, the idea of opening a pizza franchise in the Czech Republic sounds odd. Here's what's interesting: the franchising sector in the Czech Republic is steadily growing and the concept of franchising is becoming familiar to an increasing number of companies and individuals (www.factbook.net).
American Steve Kafka has made the decision to expand his business and open a Chicago Style Pizza franchise. Steve knows there will be some challenges placed in his path because with any new business venture risks are to be expected. Steve may have a slight advantage because he is of Czech descent, he has family and friends who live in the Czech Republic, he speaks Czech fluently and he has traveled to the Czech Republic on several occasions. Having said that, this does not mean the process will be easy because Steve is an American business man and there are distinct differences between the American and Czech culture.
The purpose of this paper is to identify and analyze the cultural challenges of doing business overseas, evaluate the differences, and determine the opportunities.
Differences and Incompatibilities
There are plenty of differences between the Czech and American cultures. For the purposes of this analysis, the focus will be on the general attitude, diet, and eating practices of both cultures.
Americans have the tendency to be more outgoing, vocal and laid-back, whereas Czechs are more reserved. For example, if a person speaks loudly in a public place like a train, it is not uncommon for Czechs to watch and follow the entire conversation. Additionally, Czechs tend to be very respectful of people who are older such as a teacher or an older friend.
There are some major differences between the diet of the American and the diet of the Czech. Americans are
The Cultural Challenges of Doing Business Overseas
Cristal Mitchell
University of Phoenix Introduction
To the average person, the idea of opening a pizza franchise in the Czech Republic sounds odd. Here's what's interesting: the franchising sector in the Czech Republic is steadily growing and the concept of franchising is becoming familiar to an increasing number of companies and individuals (www.factbook.net).
American Steve Kafka has made the decision to expand his business and open a Chicago Style Pizza franchise. Steve knows there will be some challenges placed in his path because with any new business venture risks are to be expected. Steve may have a slight advantage because he is of Czech descent, he has family and friends who live in the Czech Republic, he speaks Czech fluently and he has traveled to the Czech Republic on several occasions. Having said that, this does not mean the process will be easy because Steve is an American business man and there are distinct differences between the American and Czech culture.
The purpose of this paper is to identify and analyze the cultural challenges of doing business overseas, evaluate the differences, and determine the opportunities.
Differences and Incompatibilities
There are plenty of differences between the Czech and American cultures. For the purposes of this analysis, the focus will be on the general attitude, diet, and eating practices of both cultures.
Americans have the tendency to be more outgoing, vocal and laid-back, whereas Czechs are more reserved. For example, if a person speaks loudly in a public place like a train, it is not uncommon for Czechs to watch and follow the entire conversation. Additionally, Czechs tend to be very respectful of people who are older such as a teacher or an older friend.
There are some major differences between the diet of the American and the diet of the Czech. Americans are