Intercultural Effectiveness – Thailand
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Intercultural Effectiveness Written Report
Thailand
Table of Contents
Intercultural Effectiveness Written Report
Introduction
Cultural and Social Aspects
National Culture
Spoken Language
Nonverbal Language
Greetings
Family
Dress
Leisure
Women in the workplace
Legal and Political aspects
Government
Legal System
Minimum Wage
Working hours and Attitudes
Lifetime employment
Seniority
House union
Consensual decision making
Quality circles
Economic and Commercial aspects
Current Economic situation
Religion
Negotiating Styles
Recommendations
Personal Action Plan
Appendix 1 – Basic Language
Appendix 2 – British companies in Thailand
Appendix 3 – Hofstedes cultural dimensions
Appendix 4 – General Cultural Points to Remember
Appendix 5 – Important contact details
Appendix 6 – Public Holidays
Bibliography
Introduction
Thailand is situated in south-eastern Asia bordering the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand and is a sub-tropical country. Thailands bordering countries are Burma, Cambodia, Laos and Malaysia. Bangkok is the capital city of Thailand and is home to 10 million of the total population of the country (approximately one sixth of Thailands population). Bangkok 36 districts and dominates the administrative, financial, industrial and commercial activities of Thailand. The other major cities are Nakhon, Ratchasima and Chiang Mai (Daoruang 2005).
What makes Thailand and Thais different? Perhaps the fact that Thailand was never colonised gives the people an openness and self-confidence born of independence (Eliot et al, 2003). A unified Thai kingdom was established in the mid-14th century. Known as Siam until 1939, Thailand is the only Southeast Asian country never to have been taken over by a European power. A bloodless revolution in 1932 led to a constitutional monarchy. In alliance with Japan during World War II, Thailand became a US ally following the conflict. Thailand is currently facing armed violence in its three Muslim-majority southernmost provinces (CIA World Fact book, 2005).
The aim of this report is to give an insight into Thailand and to give advice for people intending to work or study there. This report will address cultural, social, political, economical and commercial aspects of the country. The report will finish with personal recommendations for those about to go away and includes advisories and a personal action plan so that further preparations can take place. Theories of national culture will be explored and related to Thailand and Thai culture.
After I finished my secondary education I was fortunate enough to spend two months in Thailand. I will attempt to use my personal experience in aiding travellers in the personal recommendation section.
Cultural and Social Aspects
National Culture
National culture can be defined as a collection of relatively uniform and enduring values, beliefs, customs, traditions and practices that are shared by a country members, learned by new members and transmitted from one the next (adapted from Huczynski and Buchanan 2001, page 884).
Geerd Hofstede developed five dimensions of national cultural. Hofstede specifically examined the role of national culture in work-related values and information system design (Hofstede 1980; cited by Harvey 1997). Below is a chart from Hofstede (2003) website that compares UK national culture with Thai national culture.
Thailands two highest Hofstede rankings are equal at 64 – Power Distance (PDI) and Uncertainty Avoidance (UAI).
The high Power Distance (PDI) is indicative of a high level of inequality of power and wealth within the society. This condition is not necessarily forced upon the population, but rather accepted by the society as a part of their cultural heritage (Hofstede, 2004).
The equally high Hofstede Dimension ranking of Uncertainty Avoidance (UAI) indicates the societys low level of tolerance for uncertainty. In an effort to minimize or reduce this level of uncertainty, strict rules, laws, policies, and regulations are adopted and implemented. The ultimate goal of this population is to control everything in order to eliminate or avoid the unexpected (Hofstede, 2004).
Thailands lowest Dimension is Individualism (IDV) at 20. A low score indicates the society is Collectivist, as compared to Individualist. This is manifest in a close long-term commitment to the member group, is that a family, extended family, or extended relationships (Hofstede, 2004).
Thailand has a low Masculinity ranking of 34. This lower level is indicative of a society with less assertiveness and competitiveness, as compared to one where these