A comparative study between Swedish and Swiss national culture.
The globalization increases. So does the importance of knowledge and understanding for other cultures. Knowledge about how cultural resemblances and differences affect our behavior, and understanding for another cultures attitude, norms and values. This is of outermost importance in business related situations between people from different countries.
The foreign trade between Sweden and Switzerland has increased rapidly in recent years.
Both countries are competent and they have a strong internationalization and a well functioning cooperation.
Due to the evolving relation between Sweden and Switzerland, and my curiosity in the Swiss culture from living in the country for a period of time, I chose to compare the two national cultures with each other.
I asked myself which cultural similarities and differences there are between the countries. I used literature to try to find an answer to this question, but I mainly used Hofstedes Cultural Dimensions to compare and study how the countries related to the four dimensions, Power distance, Individualism, Masculinity and Uncertainty avoidance.
I did an interview with Jacob Wahlberg who is a jurist at Assa Abloy. He is in daily contact with executives from Switzerland and has been collaborating with them for many years. I was interested in how the national cultures influence on a negotiation between the countries. Does Jacob find it different and more complicated to negotiate with Swiss people and if so, what are the differences and resemblances? What is his opinion about the extremely diverted sight on women’s roles in the society, and does it affect the business relation? In addition to the interview, I collected the empirical data from my own experience from living in Switzerland. I also did an interview with Laura Wey, a girl that originally comes from Switzerland but she now lives and works in Sweden.
As a result, after studying the cultures I would say that there are obvious similarities but also many differences between them. They are both two individualistic cultures where you strive for independence and self- reliant. There is no hierarchy and the organizations are constructed with flat decision-making. We have the same sight on work, relations and career, and the fact that we have similar organization structure is a great advantage when we are making business with each other.
There are differences as well. The most evident one according to me is the high masculinity index, and the strong uncertainty avoidance in Switzerland. A woman is not seen and treated as we are used to in Sweden. This might cause a problem in a business situation, because there is a big awareness about men and women’s equality in Sweden.
After doing my study, I realized that it is almost impossible to draw conclusions about the differences between two national cultures because they are dynamic and changes all the time. Also when you compare two cultures, you have to generalize on a national level and assume that a whole nation thinks and acts in the same way. It is difficult because it is a fact that people are not handling conflicts and problems in the same way just because they belong to a specific culture. Hofstedes study; Cultural Dimensions was made many years ago and that makes it even more complicated because a lot has happened since then.
I did compare the national cultures, but one has to keep in mind that my conclusions are generalizations and also a sampling of the total of a culture at one certain moment in time.
Therefore, it is important to adapt to the individual and the specific situation you are in.
Anna Quist Örebro university
Comments
Hello, Anna!
I enjoyed to read about your comparison between Swedish and Swiss national culture. Even more interesting was that your comparison was based mainly on Hofstede's Cultural Dimensions. I study at the university to become a translator and we have also studied the course of Intercultural Communication. I found Hoftede's theory applicable in studying and comparing different cultures. Now I have the idea to compare Russian and Sweden cultures. Do you find it interesting? I do.
But of course while comparing even two absolutely different cultures it must be taken into consideration that we can not analyze this or that culture just basing on theories. It's impossible,because all people even within one culture are absolutely different and the comparison must be made also basing on real examples. Do you agree with me here?
Posted by: Alyona | April 4, 2009 01:06 AM
Dear Anna, I liked your topic! I like comapring and finding common things! I would be really glad to learn more about Sweden culture.I was in Switzerland but it seemed to me so diverse, even in the one country.People of different origins, speaking different languages..And i think 2 weeks that i was there were not enough to understand what pecularities swiss people have.
I found a lot new in your blog! Thanks!
Posted by: Elvira | April 5, 2009 02:29 AM
Dear Anna, it's really very good topic, i think you've touched upon a modern question! I study at the university and we have studied the course of Intercultural Communication and i really liked this course. That's why i find your topic is necessary for me as for the future interpreter and for all students who want to communicate with people from different cultures and who speak different languages.
Posted by: Alyona | April 5, 2009 04:55 AM
Hi Anna!!! I enjoyed your research devoted to the comparison of two countries. Moreover I consider that this topic is extremely urgent exactly today, when awareness of cultural particularities importance is growing in business sphere. Really, there are so many cultural specific features, that can lead to the breakup of business relationship and prevent close cooperation. So, knowledge of these cultural dimensions, or it can be religious values, help international businessmen and also interpreters to improve and strengthen business collaborations.
According to your comparison, I guess In Switzerland people tend to keep some rules and instructions constantly, because of high Uncertainly avoidance index. So the problems can appear after constitution of the contract between Switzerland and Sweden. The Swedish can not understand the striving of the people from Switzerland to specify thoroughly all the items.
Posted by: Anonymous | April 6, 2009 07:11 PM
Hi Anna!!! I enjoyed your research devoted to the comparison of two countries. Moreover I consider that this topic is extremely urgent exactly today, when awareness of cultural particularities importance is growing in business sphere. Really, there are so many cultural specific features, that can lead to the breakup of business relationship and prevent close cooperation. So, knowledge of these cultural dimensions, or it can be religious values, help international businessmen and also interpreters to improve and strengthen business collaborations.
According to your comparison, I guess In Switzerland people tend to keep some rules and instructions constantly, because of high Uncertainly avoidance index. So the problems can appear after constitution of the contract between Switzerland and Sweden. The Swedish can not understand the striving of the people from Switzerland to specify thoroughly all the items.
Posted by: Alice K. | April 6, 2009 07:12 PM
Dear Anna, thank you very much for the interesting and informative research. I enjoyed reading it and learnt much... You've revealed different spheres and this was absolutely great. And something in your topic really caught my eye. You've mentioned that women are treated differently in Switzerland and Sweden. It is a very interesting thing. In what way do you think the attitude to women is different and do women face it only in the sphere of career, or also in other spheres of life?Thank you very much, It was much pleasure to read your post ))
Posted by: Anonymous | April 8, 2009 07:24 AM
This article is definitely interesting and fun, you will regularly visit this blog
Posted by: Qkobe | June 21, 2009 12:11 AM
Good idea
Posted by: Pavel | June 21, 2009 12:15 AM
Hello Anna!!!
What you research is interesting, I am interested in it too.
Posted by: Rolex | July 10, 2009 07:27 AM
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Posted by: Mason Williams | July 20, 2009 01:23 PM
When traveling to Sweden I noticed the same women's equality that you commented on in this article. Props to you for this excellent writing.
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Posted by: Gabriella | July 20, 2009 01:26 PM