Q2.

What differences in American value systems and French

value systems might be at the root of the difficulties Chalon
is facing as he implements a new strategy? (B)
Business Differences
France

Professionalism is the
acceptance of outsiders

Business people are very

formal

USA

Companies are organized

and structured in many
different styles depending
upon company History,
Industry and Management

Powerful CEOs Generally

centralized Organizations

Business people do not

expect formal attitude

Meetings : Direct and open

intentions expected

Meetings : Generally
informal and relaxed but
serious in content

Hofstedes Cultural Dimension Theory

Power Distance : People in

US generally do not accept
and expect that leader
forces decision on them
Indulgence : US is a society
that accepts relatively free
gratification of basic and
natural human desires
related to enjoying life and
having fun compared with
France

Hall's cultural factors

Context
Factor

High-context culture
Low-context culture
Many covert and implicit
Many overt and explicit
messages, with use of
Overtness of messages
messages that are simple
metaphor and reading between
and clear
the lines
Trompenaars' model of national culture
differences

Dimension
Specific

Diffuse

Characteristics

People keep work and personal lives separate. As a result, they

believe that relationships don't have much of an impact on work
objectives, and, although good relationships are important, they
believe that people can work together without having a good
relationship
People see an overlap between their work and personal life. They
believe that good relationships are vital to meeting business
objectives, and that their relationships with others will be the same,
whether they are at work or meeting socially. People spend time