Date of Defense

12-14-2011

Date of Graduation

12-2011

Department

Management

First Advisor

Roberta Allen, Business Information Systems

Second Advisor

Cordelia M. Greer, School of Communication

Keywords

Management Practices, Dominican Republic

Abstract

Different nations have particular ways of conducting businesses. At the root of most problems that arise during international negotiations, is a lack of cultural understanding. In a study conducted by Hofstede it was found that over 50% of differences in manager's attitude was due to national culture; a portion that exceeded profession, race, and gender. Many intercultural misunderstandings are due to behaviors of a person from one culture being incorrectly perceived, interpreted and reacted to by a person from another culture (Schmidt, Conaway, Easton & Wardrope, 2007). If the 47 million Latin Americans living in the United States were to be formed into a separate nation, it would be the second-largest speaking population in the world and the third largest economy in Latin America (Becker, 2011 p.14). Now more than ever, Latin American's have become visible in the global market. Having successful negotiations between nations is reflected in having optimal communication patterns. This is achieved through the understanding of culture. Moreover, culture reflects preferred leadership styles, which will define the way business is conducted. Flexible time perceptions, festive communication styles, decreased sense of territoriality, and its fatalistic nature, make Latin Americans a particular crowd. However, effects of colonialism, an uneducated workforce, and an abundance of family businesses have resulted in an unequal distribution of power. This comparative analysis seeks to highlight cultural factors that play an important role in the way business is performed between the Dominican Republic and the United States.

Access Setting

Honors Thesis-Open Access

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