Business Report: National Culture Comparison of US and Tanzania

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of the national cultures of the United States and Tanzania, focusing on the application of Hofstede's cultural dimensions theory. The analysis delves into the distinct cultural characteristics of both countries, including power distance, individualism versus collectivism, masculinity versus femininity, uncertainty avoidance, long-term orientation, and indulgence versus restraint. The report examines how these cultural dimensions influence workplace behaviors, decision-making processes, and overall business practices. The case study of a dam project highlights the challenges and importance of cross-cultural understanding, particularly the need for effective communication and adaptation when operating in diverse cultural contexts. The report concludes with recommendations for businesses to navigate cultural differences and foster a more inclusive and productive work environment. The report emphasizes the importance of understanding cultural nuances to avoid conflicts and promote successful business operations. It stresses the need for companies to adapt their organizational culture to accommodate the cultural values of different countries and suggests strategies like informal meetings to facilitate employee understanding and strengthen relationships.

TASK 1
Script on national culture
National Culture is set of norms, customs, values of group of people of a sovereign nation.
They may have different language, traditions, religion which differ their culture from other
countries. According to case study national culture of the two countries :- US and Tanzania are
quite different(Helmreich and Merritt , 2017).
Figure 1Hofstede's cultural index
(Source: COUNTRY COMPARISON, 2019)
This is further explained with Hofstede theory:-
Hofstede Theory:-
Different nation has their own cultural beliefs and work accordingly. These beliefs help
every individual of the organisation to know at what principles they have work on and they learn
how to work ethically in an organisation. Now following there national culture may lead to
lawful action against them (Morden , 2017).

Hofstede's cultural dimensions theory basically tells the way values in a workplace are
affected by culture of the nation.
This theory has six dimension: -
 Power Distance Index:- This dimension basically reflect that less powerful people of a
society are not getting power to make their own decisions. In this case people demand to
equalise the distribution of power. After study on both countries it is seen in Tanzania
that people with less power are not allowed to make decision for the organisation. While
US is having different culture from Tanzania, where everyone is involved in decision
making (Liu , Meng and Fellows , 2015). Tanzania score 70 in PDI that reflect that
people like to work in hierarchical order whereas US is the country where PDI score is 40
that highlight people like to work in flat structure, they want freedom and involvement in
business.
 Individualism Versus Collectivism:- according to case study as the name suggest
individualism in context of social framework is culture of the nation where everyone
believe to work individually and make their own decision like in Tanzania. While
collectivism represent a framework in society where people believe to work together as a
team like culture of US (Bird and Mendenhall, 2016). Tanzania score 25 hence it has
collectivistic society where people like to work together. Whereas US score91that
highlights people like individual society.
 Masculinity Versus Femininity:- From the case study it is seen that US is having a
culture where it believes in Masculinity that is according to their culture they give
preference to achievement and material reward for success as they believe in competition.
On other side Tanzania is having a culture where preference is given to cooperation and
people are consensus oriented. They give preference for caring of weak and quality of
life(Johnson and Cullen, 2017).Tanzania has 40 score that shows people of this country
like to care each other and they believe in living a quality life. Whereas US score high 62
in it here people give more wastage to incentives etc.
 Uncertainty Avoidance Index:- Country exhibiting strong UAI like in USA are having
intolerant behaviour and ideas. People their feel uncomfortable with uncertainty. While
Tanzania is having culture where people believe that future can never be known, so they
are having relaxed attitude(Tjosvold, 2017). Tanzania has 50 score and US has 46 score.

 Long Term Orientation Versus short Term Normative Orientation:- People of USA
is having a culture which score high for long term orientation and where they believe to
put efforts in modern education. While country Tanzania is having a culture where they
prefer to maintain time-honoured traditions and norms and have short term normative
orientation((French, 2015). Tanzania has 34 score that shows short term culture
orientation, here people give respect to their culture. US score 26 in it
 Indulgence Versus Restraint:-According to case study Tanzania is having a culture
which allows free gratification to enjoy and have fun which refer to Indulgence. While
US is having culture where strict social norms are there and people have to follow
them((Lamb and et.al., 2019). Tanzania has 38 scoring that shows restraint culture hence
people do not emphases on spending leisure time. They live life by concentrating on
social norms. US score 68hence people do not try to control over their desires they are
indulgence in nature.
The given case study on dam project highlights that this is such a big project and firm has to
invest huge capital in order to complete this project successfully. This is risk project as well
because entity may face financial as well as human resource risk. As Jone belongs from different
culture and culture of Tanzania is different hence it was essential to take support of right
technique which may avoid conflicts due to culture differences. Jone has involved liaison into
the business. Jone has to establish the new business in Tanzania and also he was responsible to
recruit new candidates those who can work in the new organisation effectively.
When culture of two persons are different then it automatically creates differences in rituals
as well. This was the major issues faced by Jone that tribal rituals were completely different
from him. In such condition HG has organised a negotiation session with government authorities
who can give permission to resettle the renovation work of health centres and other areas such as
schools etc.
Graham Steinberg:- Should Brett Jones be called from Tanzania for operation phase for our
dam project in US. But he is very eager to accommodate Tanzanian ways of doing business
which is different from our national culture.
Lawrence Bertelet:- HG's mission and organisational culture is different from Tanzania and our
business activities should embody Christian values. But as a subordinate he has right to
implement his own decisions.

Brett Jones:- I don't want to leave Tanzania as I am based to that culture. You decide what
should be done.
Lawrence Bertelet:- HG is searching for someone who possessed both a home country
corporate perspective and a knowledge of the host country's economic and culture. Brett Jones is
perfect for this, so hire him.
Graham Steinberg:- Brett Jones we are hiring you as a project Liaison specialist and your task
is to gain local support for the project by working with both Tanzania authority and villagers in
vicinity of construction site by keeping in mind US culture.
Graham Steinberg:- You also have to set up an office and hire office personnels to keep
inventory and accounting records. And work ethically as our culture is to make decision by
considering US laws.
Brett Jones:- OK, will work hard to achieve the target.
Graham Steinberg:- Brett Jones after reviewing your performance I am really concerned about
practices you are following which are not matching to company's culture. Practices you are using
are unethical in a US organisation. Your hiring practices are not matching US laws they are
illegal. You are increasing Nepotism in the organisation.
Graham Steinberg:-I have taken a decision to transfer managers and engineers to Tanzania. But
is this was a right decision or Jones was playing a valuable role according to his perspective.
Recommendations
Company should understand culture of different countries and accordingly have to make
their organisational culture so that people feel comfortable and they perform in business for
longer duration. Firm should organise informal meetings with employees so that employees can
understand each other. This will develop their bonding as well and they will support each other.

REFERENCES
COUNTRY COMPARISON. 2019. [Online].Available through < https://www.hofstede-
insights.com/country-comparison/tanzania,the-usa/>