Business in Cross Cultural Environments

 

 

“When in Rome, do as the Romans do…” International business dates back to the Phoenicians. Ever since the 13th century BC, people have learned that doing business in cross cultural environments requires understanding and familiarity with other people and their cultures. The purpose of this web guide is to provide some basic internet resources for gaining awareness of other countries and their cultures.

 

 

 

Governments Sites

 

Background notes

http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/

The U.S. Department of State provides information concerning some 160 countries. Major topics are: history, people, demography, culture, economy, politics and foreign relations, travel and business. Information concerning approximately one half of the countries mentioned is revised and updated yearly. Major importance is given to foreign relations. Search is available by country or by geographical regions (maps).

 

CIA world fact book

http://www.odci.gov/cia/publications/factbook/index.html

U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) provides country profiles that include country maps as well as information about the geography, people, government, economy, communications, transportations, military and political issues of countries. 

 

Country Commercial Guides
http://www.stat-usa.gov/mrd.nsf/vwCCG_Country 

The Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs U.S. Department of State provides the Country Commercial Guides. They are prepared by US Embassy Staff once a year. The reports contain information on the business and economic situations of foreign countries and the politics as it affects U.S. business. Each guide contains the same chapters, which include topics such as political environment, economic trends, marketing, and statistics as well as trade regulations, investment opportunities, trade events and business travel.

 

Peace Corps

http://www.peacecorps.gov/wws/culturematters/

A general introduction to cultural concerns designed to enable US Peace Corps Volunteers to work effectively and respectfully in “underdeveloped” countries. The site provides a general approach to how to live and work in less fortunate cultures and economies offering guidelines and useful lessons. 

 

 

                                               

Non-Government Sites

 

Walden’s Country Reports

World of Information is a UK based business information company. It provides the Walden’s Country Reports, a detailed analysis of 120 countries accessible with Lexis Nexis (click on Reference). Reports cover politics, government, economy, sectoral analysis, investor information, infrastructure, visitors’ guides, armed forces, and membership of international organizations. Reports are in PDF format (50 to 60 pages per country). Each report is updated once a year. The Walden Country Reports are a very authoritative and detailed source of information.

 

www.worldinformation.com

The site contains business political and economic information on 228 countries and territories.Walden’s Reports can be downloaded from their web site.   

 

Craighead Country Reports Online

www.craigheadonline.com

The Craighead Country Reports provide information about political, economic, geographic, social, cultural and business practices of various countries.

This is a very authoritative and detailed report comparable to Walden’s Country Reports.

Subscription fee.

 

Executive Planet

http://www.executiveplanet.com/index.jsp

Executive Planet was designed to inspire cultural awareness and know how for business people dealing with major trading nations around the world. 36 countries are represented. This site provides a brief summary of business cultures and practices, protocol, and cross-cultural approaches.

 

The Internationalist
http://www.internationalist.com/business/

The Internationalist (International Business & Travel) is a commercial site that provides many links to state agencies, business resources, banks, international trade, business conferences and international newspapers, etc. 

 

Merriam Webster’s Guide to International Business Communications

http://www.bspage.com/address.html

This site condensed from Merriam Webster’s Guide to International Business Communications provides international business formalities for addressing letters and faxes all around the world.

 

Getting Through Customs

http://www.getcustoms.com/

The intercultural training firm provides a cultural overview, business practices, protocol, selections, and general cultural do’ s and do not’ s around the world. It also offers a cultural IQ online quiz, and databases available with subscription.

 

Country Watch

http://www.countrywatch.com

CountryWatch provides country specific geopolitical intelligence on 192 countries throughout the world.

 

Business Culture

http://www.businessculture.com/

Business Culture provides a series of reports on business customs, etiquette, cross-cultural communication, business culture, negotiating tactics, manners, proper gifts, business entertainment, etc.  There is a small fee for most reports.

 

Worldskip

http://www.worldskip.com/

Worldskip provides economic and political information on 220 countries as well as information about people, cultures and news with many links to global headlines.

Subscription 1$ a month.

  

Cross-cultural communication challenge

http://www.wwcd.org/action/ampu/crosscult.html  

This site provides guidelines and principles for multicultural communication.

 

Intercultural Insights

http://www.thiagi.com/email-intercultural101-tips.html

This commercial site offers an interesting list of guidelines for intercultural business and communication.

 

 

Created by Catherine Sexton

September 27th 2002

Cath33333@aol.com