Introduction
In this paper some cultural challenges that Steve Kafka an American of Czech descent may face while trying to expand into the Czech Republic will be presented. Additionally throughout the paper comparisons will be made between the Czech Republic and the United States.
The Czech Republic is a landlocked nation in central Europe. It has been in existence, in its present form, since January 1, 1993. The nation itself has had a long a turbulent past and suffered six years of Nazi occupation only to then become a satellite nation of the Soviet Union. Since the fall of communism in the Czech Republic the market and economy have taken on a new life. The nation has joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the European Union (EU). Culturally, the Czech Republic has its own nuances and dimensions. Overall the Czech Republic has a tolerant society most recently evidenced in the recent passing of a bill to allow gay marriage. (News 24, 2006) Other general nuances of culture are very similar to that of the United States. Individuals are encouraged to succeed and better themselves. Additionally many Americans can trace their roots back to Czech and Monrovian descent. That culture has been passed down through the generations so while being American there is some interior family culture that could be Czech.
Given the current scenario, an individual who wishes to expand a pizza restaurant business into the Czech Republic needs to look at several cultural items. First off pizza is usually a finger food, meaning that one holds the piece of pizza in his or her hand to eat it. Secondly, most pizza is ordered in, meaning that it is prepared outside of the home. In the Czech Republic finger food items are not as pr ...