Q 2): How do cultural differences help determine the form and nature of international strategy.
In analysing the topic of how cultural differences help to determine the form and nature of international strategy it is necessary to define the key terms involved in this topic of interest. Firstly the term ‘culture’; “generally refers to patterns of human activity and the symbolic structures that give such activities significance and importance” – (Goodall J 1986, The Chimpanzees of Gombe: Patterns of behaviour”.)
Another more detailed definition is described by UNESCO – “culture, should be regarded as the set of distinctive spiritual material, intellectual and emotional features of society or a social group, and that it encompasses, in addition to art and literature, ways of living together, mere systems, traditions and beliefs.” – (2002 Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity).
Secondly it is necessary to define the meaning of the term ‘international strategy’. Broadly this term could be defined as - “A means of trying to create value by transferring core competencies to foreign markets where indigenous competitors lack these competencies” – (‘Global Business Today 1 ) Of course the question actually asks how cultural differences help determine the ‘form’ and ‘nature’ of international strategy. A further definition of these terms could assist in greater analysis of the question also. The word ‘form’ is defined as a) the essence of something, b) The mode in which a thing exists, acts, or manifests itself.”
www.thefreedictionary.com/form) The word ‘nature’ is also defined on the webpage as; 2b. “the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognised”
International strategic management poses a number of po ...