University of Twente Student Theses
Navigating Cultural Differences : Cultural Differences between the Netherlands and Italy from a Business Perspective
Harink, P.M. (2025) Navigating Cultural Differences : Cultural Differences between the Netherlands and Italy from a Business Perspective.
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| Abstract: | Understanding cultural differences in the workplace is crucial for professionals working abroad. Globalization has been a phenomenon for decades, and exposure to other cultures happens on a daily basis. One benefits from having sufficient knowledge about the dominant culture of their living and working area. Therefore, this study explores the cultural differences between Italy and the Netherlands from the perspective of Dutch expatriates living and working in Italy, providing qualitative emic insights into Italian behavior that Dutch people may encounter when working in Italy Sixteen Dutch expatriates, living and working in Italy for at least six months, were interviewed using semi-structured interviews. The Dutch interviewees were asked to provide experiences of their work life in Italy. There was a focus on critical incidents, situations where the cultures of Italians and the Dutch clashed. Using these critical incidents, typical Italian behaviors were identified, which are represented in cultural standards. In total, 14 cultural standards were identified, with an extra 2 behaviors that did not completely fit the term ‘cultural standard’. These identified cultural standards were then clustered into groups where there was an overarching underlying Italian cultural value. The identified Italian behavior, also known as Italian cultural standards, could all be explained by the Italian cultural values of Hierarchy, Social relationships, Flexibility, and Bella figura. Comparing the findings of this study to the existing literature on differences between Italian and Dutch culture resulted in a better understanding between the two cultures on the work floor. Finally, a practical guide was created to provide the Dutch with insights into how to act according to the identified Italian cultural standards to increase intercultural collaboration. |
| Item Type: | Essay (Master) |
| Faculty: | BMS: Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences |
| Subject: | 85 business administration, organizational science |
| Programme: | Business Administration MSc (60644) |
| Link to this item: | https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/106368 |
| Export this item as: | BibTeX EndNote HTML Citation Reference Manager |
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