Cultural Brief of Taiwan

INTRODUCTION POLITICAL, LEGAL, AND TECHNOLOGICAL ENVIROMENT HOFSTEDES DIMENSIONS Geert Hofstede is a Dutch tec who identified five dimensions of culture to help understand how and why mountain from various cultures be ready the trend they do. The five Hofstedes ethnical dimensions argon power distance, uncertainty shunning, individualism, masculinity vs. femininity, and beat orientation. chinaw ar has a spunky power distance meaning that people blindly obey the orders of their superiors, and stringent obedience is found.mainland China ranked high in uncertainty avoidance meaning that the people do not like uncertainty and range to have a high need for security and a real belief in experts. In individualism Taiwan ranked as a low individualistic country meaning that people research after themselves and their immediate family members. In regards to masculinity Taiwan ranked as a high masculinity country meaning that they place bulky importance on earnings, recognition, advan cement, and challenge. In this type of culture people ar encourage to be decision shamblers, and have high performance levels.On the last dimension Taiwan ranked high in dogged term orientation meaning that they focus much on coarse range goals. TROMPENAARS DIMENSIONS Although Hofstedes dimensions be the closely recognize cultural dimension a more recent research is gaining attention. This research was make over a period on ten years by another Dutch researcher Fons Trompenaar. Trompenaars dimensions atomic number 18 Universalism vs. Particularism, Individualism vs. Communitarianism, inert vs. Emotional, Specific vs. Diff function, Achievement vs. Ascription, Sequential vs.Synchronous, and Internal vs. External. globe DIMENSIONS The GLOBE (Global leaders and Organizational Behavior Effectiveness) research plan is another study to stair cultural difference. This research is an extensive analysis that integrates previous analysis. Countries were selected in truth carefu lly so that each major geographic in the demesne was represented. This project or research is considered genius of the most sophisticated studies because it was made by a multicultural team of researchers that had and broad knowledge and experience in those fields.The GLOBE project drive out be use to foresee the most appropriate, effective, and suitable system of rulesal and leader practices within a culture. The GLOBE is a more extensive research and includes more dimensions than Hofstedes and Trompenaarss research. The GLOBE project identified nine cultural dimensions Uncertainty avoidance, Power distance, fabianism I, Collectivism II, Gender egalitarianism, Assertiveness, Future orientation, Performance orientation, and Humane orientation. CULTURAL NORMS, VALUES, AND BELIEFSTaiwans population is generally Han Chinese and is divided into three gatherings ground on their language Formosan, Hakka, and Mandarin. The official language of Taiwan is Mandarin Chinese, still M in-nan dialect is also widely spoken. English is the most popular inappropriate language which makes it part of their regular school curriculum. near people in Taiwan have traditional value based on Confucian ethics, just now industrialization is making them change their values. Some traditional values such as piety towards parents, ancestor worship, and dialect on program line and work remain strong.Taiwanese values are based on Confucianism which describes the position of the individual in inn. This system of behaviors and ethics put emphasis on the obligation of people towards one another based on their traffichip, and stresses duty, loyalty, honor, respect for age and sincerity. There are five classifications of relationship dominion and subject, husband and wife, parents and children, brothers and sisters, and friend and friend. Taiwans culture is collective which fashion they are willinging to suppress their throw feelings for the good of the group.Taiwanese have a really all serious(p) concept of the showcase called Mien-Tzu. They believe the face reflects a persons reputation, dignity, and prestige. This concept is not only utilise to individuals but also to channeles. Guanxi is another term related to the connections and types of relationships Taiwanese use to conduct line of work. Businesses are conducted among friends, friends of friends, family, and people of your own level or high statues. This concept is believed to undefendable doors, smooth problems, and open more connections. Taiwans religion is based on the three teachings Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism.Each religion has its own temples, priest, and sacred texts, but most people practice a compound of the three teachings referred to as popular or folk religion. Family is truly important in the Taiwanese culture and one thing that brings family in concert e actually day is regimen. Dinner is the most important meal of the day because it reinforces family relationship s. The reciprocation of food means e feature and people of higher ranks are neer invited to dine at ones home. Fish the favorite food, and food is mostly cooked in soups, stews, and deep fry. Taiwan is famous for its tea and it can be found in almost every corner of Taiwan.tea fourth dimension is the most famous drink because it is considered stimulating, conducive to conversation, and beneficial to health. EXPECTATIONS REGARDING DRESS APPOINTMENTS Taiwanese are very punctual and they expect to be endlessly on period for an appointment. They are very diffuse in scheduling appointments and the surmount way to set an appointment is by telephone or email. Most firms have course hours from 9AM to 530PM Monday to Friday, so contact them between those time if you lack to be contacted in a timely manner. Punctuality is very important but they understand and respect when late, but if previous chance on is attached.Holidays are a very hard time to set appointments because they do not work specially during the holidays of Chinese New Year, Tuan-Wu (or Dragon gravy boat Festival) and Mid-Autumn holiday, on that pointfore it is very hard to get a take aim of anyone during this time of the year. BUSINESS ENTERTAINING Taiwanese pay off very close to chore entertain because they consider it essential in creating a successful backing relationship. Business entertaining should never be considered a waste of time since Taiwanese pay very close attention and dedicate a lot of time to this activity.The most popular type of business entertaining is having dinner and drinking a wide amount of alcohol until very late. During dinner make sure not to talk virtually business unless the host brings it up. This time should be use to learn more or so Taiwans people, culture, and the host interest. Taiwanese are food lovers so expect about twenty dishes during dinner. The tradition is that the host serves the guest in their habitations a little food, but they are free to take more food. It is recommended that you chip in a little bit of food in your plate when done because leaving your plate empty signifies that you are still hungry. later the great meal tea is serve which signifies that the event is finished, and it is polite if you leave after finishing the tea even if the host invites you to stay. BUSINESS tease Taiwanese people are very friendly and courteous, and social relations are very important. They believe in creating strong relationships because their belief is that one cannot do anything alone without help from others. The use of business cards is employ at the primary meeting. Business cards are interchange and it is considered an easy way to overcome initial shyness and buy the farm forming a connection.The exchange of business cards also represents or demonstrates a persons name and reputation. TITLES AND FORMS OF ADDRESS Title and stance of authority are very important in Taiwanese culture. When meeting a person for the fi rst time it is important that you address the person by their academic, professional, or respectful title and their agnomen. People pay very close attention to status of authority such as age, education, occupation, and gender. Age is one of the factors interpreted bad because they expect to show the greatest respect. This is a problem whenever a younger expatriate comes to manage older people.It is difficult for them to accept the fact that a younger person manages them. Taiwanese traditionally have three names. The surname or last name, and two personal names. An interesting thing about their personal names is that their names usually have some probatory meaning. Asking about the meaning of their names is a good way for breaking the ice. GREETINGS Greeting in Taiwan are also very important and they have a different types of spotings depending on the person universe greeted when greeting someone in Taiwan the oldest person in the group is greeted first.Taiwanese use a milks hake as the most customary type of greeting with foreigners. In the Chinese culture they have a sign that represents respect, looking towards the ground. Taiwanese do not expect for foreigners to greet the same way because they know we have different greeting styles, so to be on the safe side a firm handshake and a warm smile is the best choice. GESTURES Everywhere in the world no matter what language you call people or cultures always have gestures that have a significant meaning. In Taiwan there are four types of gestures greeting gestures, touching gestures, beckoning gestures, and nonverbal gestures.We will start first with the greeting gestures, handshaking has become popular and its spreading rapidly, but a bow is the most traditional form of greeting. Hugging and kiss when greeting is very rare and uncommon. A special gesture for elders is to surmount your left fist with your rightfield hand, or put your hands together and bring them to your heart. Touching gestures are not very welcomed in Taiwan they are not a touch oriented society. Public signs of lovingness are rare, but its normal for same sex persons to hold hands in public.Beckoning gestures are done with an open hand facing downward and never use your index finger to point at someone. Never use your hand to beckon someone facing upwards because that gesture is only used for animals. head off touching or sorrowful objects with your feet, and never put your feet on top of furniture because feet are considered minor and dirty. There are a lot of nonverbal gestures but this are a few of the most common. In respect to elders always open the door for them, give up your seat if no other sits are available, talk to them first when you enter a room, and take off your furnish when you talk to them.Posture should be straight, so do not slough. Having a loud and rude behavior in not acceptable when doing business but it is acceptable in restaurants. Being able to read gestures will help you und erstand people even if you do not speak the same language, so make sure you know the most important one in order to create the right impression and business relationship. GIFT GIVING Gift well-favored is one of the things you need to pay really close attention since a lot of leaves have a very significant meaning, and you might give the wrong impression.Taiwanese are food lovers and a good choice for a gift is a nice food basket or a good quality bottle of alcohol. Taiwanese culture has a sign of politeness by refusing a gift the first time offered and it is ok to offer the gift again, but not force it. Some of the things that should not be given as gifts are Scissors, knives or cutting utensils because they represent to sever the relationship. Clock, handkerchiefs or straw sandals because they are associated with funerals and death. White flowers or chrysanthemums because they signify death. Never ramble gifts in white, blue, or black paper.Never wrap gifts in red, bump or yell ow because they are considered auspicious colors. The number four is considered a bad luck number so never give anything in groups of four. On the other hand the number eight is a roaring number so giving groups of eights is giving good luck to the recipient. Avoid giving anything made in Taiwan. Presents should be given using two hands, and gifts are not open when received. So make sure that when giving a gift you take in consideration the gift giving etiquette, so you can make a successful gift and the right impression.LANGUAGE OF BUSINESS (COMMUNICATION STYLES) It is very important that people who want to make business in Taiwan speak Mandarin Chinese, so dialog is more fluent. It is important to speak the official language of Taiwan because the levels of English of multinational and major MNCs based in the country are low. The use of translators is employ but it slows down a process that its already slow. INTERACTION STYLES NEGOTIATION ISSUES Taiwan is a collective society s o they believe in having very strong business relationships earlier making a negotiation.They spend a great amount of time trying to know the company before considering any type of negotiation. When foreigners want to make negotiations in Taiwan they get frustrated because of the process beingness too slow. Managers have an authoritarian point of view and expect to be obeyed by their subordinates 100%. Their decisions are accepted without being question and in rare cases subordinates have something to say. They expect to be asked first before any actions are taken in their absence, therefore very little enterprisingness in taken in the lower side of the chain.Any decisions taken when the manager is not there they are considered suspicious. VIEW OF WOMEN EXECUTIVES Taiwan is a male-dominated society and women play a small part in business. Women in the business field usually have the lowest levels in the organization even if they a high qualified. Equality is progressing very slow ly and it may take years before equality is reached. Even though males are considered the decision makers foreign business women will be treated with great respect and courtesy.