The implications of culture in business and the Cultural dimensions of Finland and India : A study of cultural Dimensions

Abstract

The purpose of the thesis is to examine the implications of culture in business. The thesis makes use of the most popular theoretical frameworks in the field, namely the cultural dimensions where data has been chiefly collected through the efforts of Geert Hofstede and Fons Trompenaars. In theory, the application of cultural knowledge as professed through the cultural dimensions into managerial practices can be applied. The validity of these theories has proven impossible to quantify and thus definitive recommendations cannot be given, however evidence suggests that there is a correlation between national culture and internal work culture.

The thesis looks into the specific cultural dimensions of Finland and India, as a practical application of the theory. These countries were chosen in large part for their proven potential for business and vast differences in cultures. The theoretical framework finds that Finland and India are on opposite sides of the cultural dimensions spectrum and couldn’t be further apart. It was concluded that to solve dilemmas that exist between cultures in the workplace, managers must approach the problem with awareness of both cultures and to adjust in accordance to that knowledge. It is also apparent that ignoring the cultural impli-cations on an international business can have dire consequences. It is important for businesses to increase their cultural knowledge where applicable to minimize conflicts within their inter-cultural workforce and create synergy.