Argentena

1
Potential Communication Problems

• Language barriers Spanish vs English

• English taught in Argentina at high school and
  university level
• Translators
• Bi-lingual management
• Language classes

• Cultural Differences Impacting Communication

• Power distance and management style
• Monochronic vs. Polychronic
• High context vs. Low Context

2
Power Distance
how steeply power is distributed
60 50 40 30 20 10 0
Argentina
USA
3
High Context
Japanese
Arabic
Argentinean

• direct, explicit
• Verbal
• time is money ?get directly to business
• Trust by business credentials

• Indirect
• Non-verbal ?body language, facial
  expressions, poignant silences
• Develop relationship before transaction
  ?small talk
• Trust developed long-term, based more on status,
  word of mouth reputation

Italian
French
American
Scandinavian
German
Low Context
4
Special Control Issues

• Non-compliance with parent company protocol,
  non-reporting

• Written and well communicated operational goals
• Regular reporting intervals in which performance
  and goals are evaluated
• Periodic, unannounced check ups
• Senior management will be parent country
  employees
• Weekly web-conferencing

5
Solutions

• Cross-cultural training communication, cultural
  differences
• Reflective Listening and clear, written policies
• Open-door environment
• Encourage team-work, discourage ethnocentrism
• Emphasis company affiliation over national
  affiliation