Cross Cultural Business Experience In Middle East

1. Introduction

Almost everyone in business these days is working in some type of multi-cultural environment - at the office or with customers & colleagues around the world. Dealing in a multi-cultural environment requires proper understanding of basic etiquette at work, communication processes and behavioral aspects.

All communication is cultural. It draws on ways we have learned to speak and give nonverbal messages. We do not always communicate the same way from day to day, since factors like context, individual personality, and mood interact with the variety of cultural influences we have internalized that influence our choices.

The challenge is that even with all the good will in the world, miscommunication is likely to happen, especially when there are significant cultural differences between communicators. Miscommunication may lead to conflict, or aggravate conflict that already exists. The cost to a company when communications breakdown is difficult to calculate but the cost of preparation for understanding new culture is minor by comparison.

To enhance an organization, its members must be able to apply understanding of the other culture in their assignments, and be able to observe and make the appropriate behavioral adjustments when cross cultural issues become important to their productivity or the effectiveness of the organization as a whole.

The following is a transcript of interview of Mr. Nityanand who has worked in Middle East Asia for over a year. In this interview he reveals interesting insights of work environment of a Multi-National Company working from Kuwait.

2. Interview

Question 1: What according to you is the most significant difference in work environment between India and Kuwait?

The significant difference was the lack of trust between the management and engineers and workers. I was an engineer in a production site. I wanted to come back to India finally to pursue my career goals but I was afraid to let it known to the management lest they should put brakes on my plans.

Lack of trust is very prevalent attitude at work place and living space. You can't be very open with your plans because you never know who is going to veto them. As migrants, we always had to be on our guard.

Question 2: How was the relationship between you and the management?

Cordial. This may sound contradictory to what I said earlier but the fact is that as long as both parties do not have any issues, the relationship stays cordial.

I have enjoyed my work at Kuwait more than I enjoyed it in India because I was paid three times more for one third of the work that I did in India and in addition to it I could spend valuable time with my family.