BUSINESS AS UNUSUAL - THE ROLE OF NATIONAL CULTURAL BACKGROUND IN CORPORATE LIFE
BUSINESS AS UNUSUAL - THE ROLE OF NATIONAL CULTURAL BACKGROUND IN CORPORATE LIFE

Summary/Abstract: The paper begins to lay the ground for further discussion with the definition of culture from different perspectives. The anthropological perspective is emphasised to open the door for practical management implications. A critical discussion follows on the limitations of theories of cross-cultural differences. The notion of ethnocentrism and the differences between cross-cultural and cross-national are introduced to clarify the picture. Again practical management remains in focus. The theoretical bridge between cross-cultural management and the discussion on mergers and acquisitions is built by the introduction of acculturation. The socio-psychological perspective defines process- or state-oriented approach to the question. Management studies seem to imply more of the process approach. The importance of the environmental factors of mergers and acquisitions is emphasised by introducing Morosinis’s model. Finally, the legal aspects and definition challenges of M&As are discussed. With the importance of what is called ‘double acculturation’, the two major influencing factors of M&As, namely organisational and national culture, are brought into focus. As a possible solution, the approach of cultural synergy is recommended as a practical management method.

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