Environmental Analysis

Running head: ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS

Environmental Analysis

Environmental Analysis

Czech culture is characterized by the relatively strong sense of masculinity; other suitable general topics for a conversation are sports, beer, and politics with man, or shopping or prices with women. The United States will have similar conversation topics, but will be equally have female topics. Czechs are usually critical of politicians but foreigners are not supposed to volunteer their opinion on Czech politics. If you want to speak about politics, remember to be neutral. For instance, don't get dragged into criticizing the former communists unless you are sure that this is not controversial topic with you're the person you are talking to; remember that they might be one of the former or current communists. It seems the topic of politics is explosive in every county. In the U.S., it is Democrat vs. Republican. Even now, one in five Czechs votes for the not-too-reformed Communist Party. When tourists are asked why are they coming to visit CZ? The answer is: women and beer. It is said that Czechs have the best beer and the most beautiful women in the world. It is also said that they are: peaceful, intelligent, untidy, reserved, greedy, single minded, competitive, disrespectful and that they love culture, black humor and almost everybody there is an intellectual. I don't think any of these differences will have any risks for opening a business.

If anything, the business needs to be more suited for males. That will be the main consumer audience. It is extremely easier to cater to one audience. It will make things easier to get going because males will be more open to a new business. Maybe putting up TV's and making it appear to be more of a bar atmosphere will help being in new people.

Looking at Geert Hofstede four primary dimensions should help in evaluating the type in environment to expect in the Czech. The four dimensions are described below along with the rating in each catorgory for the U.S. and the Czech.

Self - Hofstede named this Individualism versus Collectivism (ID or IDV). In an individual environment the individual person and their rights are more important than groups that they may belong to. In a collective environment, people are born into strong extended family or tribal communities, and these loyalties are paramount. The US was number ranked 1.

Power - Hofstede named this Power Distance (PD or PDI). It is the extent to which less powerful members expect and accept unequal power distribution. High PD cultures usually have centralized, top-down control. Low power distance implies greater equality and empowerment. The US is ranked 38th.

Predictability - Hofstede named this Uncertainty Avoidance (UA or UAI). It defines the extent to which a culture values predictability. UA cultures have strong traditions and rituals and tend toward formal, bureaucratic structures and rules. The US is ranked 43rd.

Gender - Hofstede named this Masculinity versus Femininity (MAS). It focuses on the degree to which "traditional" gender roles are assigned in a culture; i.e., men are considered aggressive and competitive, while women are expected to be more gentle and be concerned with home and family. The US is ranked 15th.

Time - Hofstede named this Long- versus Short-term Orientation (LTO). It is the cultural trait that focuses on to what extent the group invests for the future, is persevering, and is patient in waiting for results. The US is ranked 17th.

Region/County Individualism- Collectivism Power / Distance Uncertainty/

Avoidance Masculinity- Femininity

North America (USA) Individualism Low Medium Masculine

Near Eastern:

Balkanic Collectivism High High Medium masculine

Region/County Individualism-Collectivism Power / Distance Uncertainty/

Avoidance Masculinity-Femininity Long-term

Orientation

USA 91H 40L 46M 62H 29

Czech 27L 76H 88H 21L 10

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