Brazilian Culture

Cultural Perspective Omnium 9 Charles Kirschbaum

Cultural Perspective on Doing Business in Brazil

Brazil: An Inside View

Charles Kirschbaum

November 26th, 2012


Some major themes in the Brazilian Studies of Culture

ClientelismFormalism “Jeitinho” (cut some slack)


Hofstede Benchmark...


CAVEAT: IT IS A BIG COUNTRY!!!


Topics

Power and Authority Conflict Individualism and Collectivism Formality, Informality, and Ambiguity Planning and Improvisation


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Brazilian Strong Collective Ties

Family Neighborhood


Connection with “Clientelism”

Clientelism: individuals are able to access resources via personal relationships, beyond and in spite of the formal rules

Family and friends are needed for emotional support, but also for securing access to resources

Success is due to collective support Strong personal ties criss-cross economic domain


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Marble...


...or Myrtle?

Pe. Antonio Vieira, Sermão do Espírito Santo, 1657 (cited by Viveiros de Castro)


Exploring “Formalism”: two ideas

Formalism: production of laws and formal rules prior to the concrete situation, resulting in institutions disconnected from reality

First idea: formalism emerges as a way of sustaining social inequality, as individuals with better access to resources are able to receive more flexible treatment

Second idea: formalism emerges as developing countries try to copy practices, anticipating social conflict– Hence, in the long run it should disappear


Exploring Ambiguity and Formalism

Skepticim towards formal institutions and rules might be surprinsingly be accompanied by easy acceptance but difficult conformity

If it is possible to decouple practice from discourse, it is also possible to change discourse without affecting daily life


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Connection with “Jeitinho”

Jeitinho: act of asking for a favour, specially related to bending rules

If in order to survive a “rigid” system one must employ “jeitinho”, then Brazilian culture fosters improvisation


Current Trends


Is it changing? Outsiders’ peeping...

“Brazilians are too seduced by power” “They never defy hierarchical superiors” “They hate conflict”

“You make decisions really fast. Brazilians are used to change; they love cutting corners”

“They are really respectful to whatever comes from abroad... Although they are at the same time a bit skeptical that it will really work here”

“There is no way in advancing here without some politics” “I love the working habits here. So many things are decided over a

coffee, in a very informal way; I think it really improves my productivity”

“In Brazil, everything is informal; it is pretty much a bumpy road” “Message is never clear”

“Nowadays, Brazilians are much more results oriented” “Planning is becoming stronger” “Brazilians do not delay for meetings, as before. But meetings have no

ending time”

Chu & Wood (2008)


Thanks!

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