University of Twente Student Theses
Intercultural Collaboration in European Business : Cultural differences between the Dutch and the Italians on the work floor
Berg, Selina van den (2022) Intercultural Collaboration in European Business : Cultural differences between the Dutch and the Italians on the work floor.
|
PDF
829kB |
| Abstract: | More and more expatriates are sent abroad, during which they encounter new challenges on a cultural level. Successfully navigating a work-related stay abroad requires a solid understanding of the local culture. Because of this, this master's thesis aimed to compare the Dutch and Italian cultures on the work floor from a Dutch viewpoint and find the values that underlie these cultural distinctions to explain the ‘typical’ Italian behavior. Therefore, the research question was: “Which cultural differences are perceived by Dutch individuals living and working in Italy?". To answer this question, an inductive qualitative research method was conducted by interviewing sixteen Dutch individuals living and working in Italy for at least six months. Using the Critical Incident Technique, the interviewees were asked to recall situations where the Dutch and Italian cultures clashed. These situations, described as critical incidents, were analyzed to establish Italian cultural standards. Fourteen cultural standards specific to Italy were found: power division, indirectness, time and appointment flexibility, respect, status, relations, unequal treatment of male-female, control, formality, emotional display, conservative, keep the boss happy, favoritism, and (non)verbal expression. Furthermore, these Italian cultural standards have been connected to the underlying values: Hierarchy, Personal Relationships, and La Bella Figura. The cultural standards and underlying values provide a thick distribution through which Dutch expats should be better able to comprehend, accept, and appreciate their Italian interaction partners' surprising or unusual behavior at work and prevent misunderstandings and conflicts from happening. |
| 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/93723 |
| Export this item as: | BibTeX EndNote HTML Citation Reference Manager |
Show download statistics for this publication
Show download statistics for this publicationRepository Staff Only: item control page