...Ethnographic Essay Rarely do we look our culture and how it affects the way we communicate and interact with each other. Culture is innate to us and we are usually unaware of it because it is an apart of us that we are unable to separate from and analyze. This is what I have learned from interacting and interviewing Luciana Cappuccino better known as “Lucky”. I was aware of her Spanish culture when I was first introduced to her just because of her first name. We sometimes forget how something as personal as our name is stamped by our cultural origin. I did further research into her name; I found out that Luciana is a typical Spanish name meaning light. The religious ties were very prevalent from the beginning even before I had started the interview. Argentina like most of Latin America and my own culture, the Caribbean has a deep history of colonialization; which is even more crucial part to the history of Luciana Cappuciano since she is of European ancestry. The Europeans arrived in Argentina 1502 this is most likely when Lucky’s ancestors first entered Latin America. One of the issues Lucky faced is being ethnically a Caucasian but identifying herself as a Latina. This is her avowal identity, meaning that is the identity “that [she] choose[s] to associate with and portray” (Willis-Rivera 28). However most American ascribes a Caucasian identity to her because of her blonde hair and fair skin; which is features attributes as white in America. This issue was something we discussed...
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...Culture Customs and Etiquette when doing Business in Argentina Culture creates who we are as individuals; it guides us in making everyday choices. Our culture sets us aside from others, making us unique. “Culture is a way of life, the behaviors, beliefs, values, and symbols that they accept, generally without thinking about them, and that are passed along by communication and imitation from one generation to the next” (Culture). Argentina’s culture is a unique blend of European and Southern American influences. Spanish is spoken mainly in Argentina, Argentinian Spanish is different from the Spanish spoken in Spain. In some ways it sounds more like Italian than Spanish. There are also many other languages spoken in Argentina, including Italian, German, English, and French (Language in Argentina). The predominant religion of Argentina is Roman Catholic. Although Roman Catholic is the well-known religion, it is not the only religion practiced in Argentina. The country is also home to religions such as Protestants, Muslims, Jews, and other religious groups (Argentina). Visiting or conducting business internationally means mixing with new cultures. Every culture has its own etiquette and customs which if not researched or understood can cause offense or embarrassment. Meetings, gift giving, dress and appearance, greeting, names and titles, personal space and touching, taboos, and negotiations are important key areas for consideration when doing business in Argentina. Meetings ...
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...clashes. Indeed, people are used to different customs and traditions and they differ from a country to another and this also reflects in the ways of doing business. In fact, laws, regulations and standards (whether social or professional) are based on the said country’s culture. In order to assess the cultural differences between different countries, we recourse to two frameworks: the Hofstede model and the 7-D model. In this report, we are going to present the challenges faced in three different countries: Argentina, the United Kingdom and Morocco. Hofstede model: Hofstede model, as described by Cullen and Parboteeah, is a model mainly based on differences in values and beliefs regarding world and has become a ‘standard’ to assess cultural differences (Cullen, 2014). This model uses five dimensions to describe national culture: power distance, uncertainty avoidance, individualism, masculinity and long-term orientation (pragmatism). The figure below shows an application of the Hofstede model on Morocco, United Kingdom and Argentina. Figure 1: Hofstede Cultural dimensions comparison between Morocco, Argentina and the UK (Hofstede Center) As we can see above, Morocco scored (70) more than the UK (35) and Argentina (49). This means that in people in Morocco tend to accept inequalities between social classes in terms of power. In order words, do not care about whether power is distributed equally and it is normal that you find power concentrated in the...
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...Argentina’s community and economy has plenty of potential for any firms looking to do business here. As a United States firm looking to expand business, conducting research on this country is a must. It’s location on the South American continent is second best behind Brazil, but it will make our business here succeed. As a U.S. firm looking to expand our business in Argentina, businesses must know the cultural aspects of the country being pursued. Argentina has its very own customs in the households and in public, but businesswise, most of the customs and norms are the same as the United States. The main language spoken here in this country is Spanish, and English is being learned as a second language. As an U.S. firm traveling to this country, learning Spanish as a second language to maintain a successful business in Argentina is a must. Learning Spanish will show Argentina businesses and their leaders that time was taken out to learn their language to communicate. Business leaders in Argentina depend on establishing and maintaining a great, personal relationship in order for businesses to compete and flourish in the economy. Just like a U.S. business, firms need good relationships with other business leaders or other firms to keep their own business flowing and producing goods or services. Argentine customs with holding business conversations are right in tune with U.S. business meetings or conversations. The greetings, handshakes, eye contact, punctuality, and the ability...
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...The Argentine Tango is Argentina’s greatest contribution to the world of dance. Many Americans recognize the Tango as a sultry partner dance performed on shows like Dancing With The Stars or So You Think You Can Dance. However, there is a vast history behind the Tango and what we take pleasure in watching today. In fact, the establishment of the Tango is deeply rooted in the economic and migrant history of Argentina, more specifically Buenos Aires. In the late 1800’s, the impoverished state of Europe encouraged many people to migrate to the New World. Migrants from Spain, Ireland, Italy, Germany, and Turkey fled Europe with the common goal of a better life. Most migrants dreamed of settling in New York but instead many landed in Buenos Aires, Argentina. To their displeasure, Buenos Aires wasn’t the escape from poverty that they fantasized about....
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...Global Business Cultural Analysis: Argentina Brittnay Glover Liberty University Dr. John Karaffa October 16, 2015 ABSTRACT The Global Business Cultural Analysis of Argentina analyzes the cultural perspectives of doing business in Argentina. Additionally, the paper explores several scholar articles that are associated with the major elements and dimensions of the culture in the Latin American region, how these elements and dimensions integrated by locals conducting business in the nation, how the elements and dimensions compare with the United States culture and business. The paper outlines the communication in Argentina; verbal, non-verbal, communication style; the religion of Argentina, the business ethics of Argentina, the business values and attitudes in Argentina, the business environment in Argentina, social structure, customs, and the educational system of Argentina. The paper will allow the reader the opportunity to gain a wealth of knowledge on Argentina from various aspects. Additionally, the Global Business Cultural Analysis of Argentina provides knowledge on the implications for the United States businesses that are considering relocating to the country of Argentina and or the Latin American region. Global Business Cultural Analysis: Argentina Country Overview Argentina is a country geographically located in the continent of South America. Argentina is a vast country, encompassing most of the continent’s southern region between the Andes Mountains...
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...and South America. Though whenever you go either it is Latin America, China, America, etc… there is always someone playing the game. Even in the likes of Mexico, they are mostly known for militant based political revolution than anything else, but basketball courts do exist. The courts might be used for other things like farming during the day, but you will always see some kid playing and working on his game. Just like what I do when I am in my hometown hooping outside of my house, no court just the concrete and the hoop I have next to my garage. The growth of basketball throughout Latin America region is unexpected, only because they compete for national attention in their number one sport soccer. Basketball has to compete in Central American countries like El Salvador, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Cuba, and Brazil. Volleyball is also a sport that is highly accepted, but mostly in Brazil and Argentina. However, the basketball being played in soccer dominating countries is often influenced by soccer, but depends on the development of the country. “I know in Argentina [basketball] is very popular. Of course, not even close to soccer, and it never will be, but as far as a second sport in my country it...
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... Vellore, India Report on lack of awareness of different cultures and its implications The whole world has become a global village with the advent of scientific development. Even though it might seem a good opportunity for the business and for several other areas as well, a lot of contradictory issues still rise up every now and then. There have been regular clashes in different countries regarding the values, ideas, beliefs, traditions, acceptance, getting along and getting used to new things. Some are not ready to change, some are not even willing to adjust with the change while there are some who try everything in their hand to suppress the change or torment people related to the transformation. Globalization is bringing different nations closer but are we ready to respect all of the cultures equally and not be ethnocentric? Are we ready to open our arms and welcome other traditions and cultures in every aspect when we come across them? Or are we ready to support the other religion just enough so that they can be freely followed in public without any fear of harassment? These are the questions which have become prominent after the cases being filed and lost by Sikhs and Muslims in France to follow their tradition. Another jaw dropping incident that describes the cultural clash perfectly well is what happened to twelve year old Suzannah. Suzannah was born and...
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...professor of Comparative Literature at Columbia University and an influential cultural author (Said 1982, p1086). His book Orientalism (1978) addresses his ideas on Orientalism in his own words, a Western style of Eastern cultures (Said 1982, p1086). His work generally ties to the imperialist societies and represents the issue of politics. In 1983, he published ‘from “Opponents, Audiences, Constituencies, and Community”’. Constance Classen (1957 –) is an award-winning writer and researcher based in Montreal, Canada. She holds a Ph.D. in Religious Studies from McGill University and is the author of various essays and books on the cultural life of the senses such as ‘Worlds of Sense: Exploring the Senses in History and Across Cultures (Routledge, 1993)’. In 1996, she published ‘Sugar Cane, Coca-Cola and Hypermarkets: Consumption and Surrealism in the Argentine Northwest’ (Canadianicon 2012). Those two readings provide examples of how the human beings make their own culture, and could therefore change it. This paper briefly shows noninterference and interference in the every world life and how those two may have occurred in the global consumerism context. In the essay ‘from “Opponents, Audiences, Constituencies, and Community”’, Said does not directly define culture, but he does use some textual signs...
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...Introduction: In Argentina It is a season for religious celebrations as well as enjoyment of gatherings with family and friends.From Europe and America, the influences to the Christmas traditions of Argentina include the Christmas tree, red and white flowers, and the boots of Father Christmas. People even go to the extent of putting cotton on and around Christmas trees and the manger to simulate snow. The decorations on the Christmas tree are meant to produce a spectacular effect through candles or electric lights and other ornaments. Gifts surround the foot of the Christmas tree, while a figure of a star or Father Christmas is placed on top. Like Peru, Christmas dinner is served in Argentina on the night of December 24th. Upon the initial...
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...lab to promote a better sense of team; and implementing new training procedures to prepare both Russian and Argentinian staff members for travel to either country. Alexey, Bruno, Hernán and Emilio were working on an important component of an updated version of IDEAFIX scheduled to be launched soon, so it was important that their programming progress on schedule. Tensions recently escalated between Hernán and Alexey because of a series of emails, initiated by Hernán, regarding the design of an event-handling algorithm of IDEAFIX. The email “conversation” between Hernán and Alexey seemed to occur after the first time that they could not reach an agreement even after much discussion. When Bruno became concerned that Alexey did not understand what needed to be done with the design of IDEAFIX, he informed Hernán. Because Hernán felt that he could better communicate with Alexey via written English, he began emailing Alexey instead of speaking directly with him, and forwarding the emails to Emilio for his input as well. The ensuing chain of emails would not have caused such a conflict if there had not already been some underlying tension. Hernán and Alexey have arrived at this disagreement because they do not fully understand each other. Not only do they not speak each other’s language, but neither is fluent in English, the only...
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...in terms of presence as well as financial results, combing world-class management quality with commitment to local communities” At that time Chile had a relatively mature and saturated market, so Falabella decided to expand and open their first store in Mendoza, Argentina. As a Chilean company which had been in the market for more than a century, they understood the local market very well and had a value proposition based on local preferences. Falabella knew how to create value for Chileans and thought it would work the same way in Argentina, due to previous experiences with tourists buying in department stores and decided to replicate the same proposition, assuming there would be similar preferences and consumer tastes in both countries. Falabella was not prepared for internationalization and confronted a completely different environment than the one in Chile. Legal norms, difficulties of importing, consumer preferences and shopping habits turned out to be totally different and were not understood before they decided to internationalize and resulted in lower sales than the expected. Falabella didn’t fully understand the Argentine culture and the importance of the European influence and heritage on their culture. Exclusivity was the most important thing at the time of selecting and buying their clothes, so they preferred to buy in specialized stores and boutiques. They also didn’t realize about the fact that department stores need a lot of people to be profitable, so that it...
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...EDUCATION IN ARGENTINA ABSTRACT The debate over education has been a battle even before the introduction of higher education. Plato is the earliest important educational thinker in human history that saw education as the key to creating and sustaining his Republic (Nation). The concept of education has been a perennial problem in human history; This is so because down through the ages, from ancient to contemporary time, educators as well as philosophers has tried to proffer solutions on why and how man should be educated ranging from force, encouragement, incentives etc. But no matter which method is use, the important of education cannot be overemphasized. The aim of this work is to look at the educational system in Argentina, as well as the private and public education system, higher education, issues facing the Argentine educational system, education and government, Argentina educational position in South American vis-à-vis the world, and we shall proffer some recommended solutions on how to improve their educational system to meet the standard of other developed nations around the world. INTRODUCTION Education is central to development and a key to attaining developmental goals. It is a powerful instrument for reducing poverty and inequality and it lays a foundation for sustained economic growth. Education is widely recognized as one of the most fundamental building blocks for human development. When given the opportunity to learn, people are empowered...
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...Country Selection Risk Analysis In order to determine whether or not one should introduce a product into a country, they must consider several critical risk factors. We have determined the four critical risk factors for the Swiffer Sweeper are: 1. Economy 2. Political 3. Social 4. Cultural The measurement of economic globalization discusses two factors, the actualeconomic flows and the restrictions of international trade and capital. Actual flows are measured through the percent of GDP which consists of trades, portfolio investments, income payments to foreign nationals, and foreign direct investments.Hidden import barriers are revealed through the restrictions portion of economic globalization. Restrictions include mean tariff rate, percent of current revenue that are taxes on international trade, and capital account restrictions. (Method of Calculation, 2011) This measure is extremely important to any product when entering a new country. It allows one to see the capability of entering a country due to their standards and economic means. This has a great potential to restrict entrance through barriers of entering, and can help one forecast if they have a potential for trade through the actual flows, to see how much they do trade with other countries. Due to all of these significant factors, we have selected 35% as our weight for economic globalization. This is our highest weight, because how well a country performs and interacts with other countries determines the success...
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...countries I chose to write about are Argentina and the Dominican Republic. Argentina is a country located in South America whereas; the Dominican Republic is located in North America. These two countries seem to be the most interesting and I hear about them quite often. Business ethics are a lot different in these two countries than they are in the United States. It is very interesting to see how much different the jobs are in Argentina and the Dominican Republic when comparing to the United States. Every country conducts business according to their laws and regulations which can also be very different. Argentina is a relationship driven culture, so it is important to build networks and use them. The people of Argentina like to do favors for each other, but if a favor is done for you than you will eventually be called upon. When it comes to business, Argentines only like to do business with people they know. This seems a little close-minded and could have a negative effect on their business relations. In the United States, we do a lot of our business over the phone and face-to-face, but Argentina prefers face-to-face meetings only. Once a relationship is built, Argentines will be loyal to you rather than the company you work for. Argentines focus most on looking good to others and are very judgmental. They do not only judge the way you speak, but the way you present yourself is more important. When dealing with Argentines, one should watch what they say and how they act. People...
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