The Culture Factor

by Angela Baron and Mike Walters

Published 1 September 1994
With the increasing globalization of business, cultural issues are becoming ever more important. This report examines the cultural challenges facing organizations which operate internationally. Introductory chapters exploring previous writing on corporate and national culture lead into 15 case studies of British, French and American companies in sectors ranging from retail to financial services, from utilities to IT. The research showed widely varying approaches to cultural issues. Some organizations believe in local autonomy while others are considerably more centralized, although there has been a trend away from high levels of expatriation and policy-making at the home base. Some establish a rigid global identity while others have more flexible policies and adapt to local needs. Within some organizations, the research showed intriguing differences in approaches to culture from country to country.