Intercultural Communication - CW2

7/31/2019 Intercultural Communication - CW2

1/12

Radisson Blu SkyCity Hotel

Stockholm-Arlanda

Arlanda Airport,

P.O. Box 82

190 45 Stockholm,

Ms. Kitty Cheung

Flat B, 50/F Tower 1,

Sorrento, TST, KLN

Hong Kong

2nd May, 2011

Dear Ms. Cheung

At first, we would like to thanks and welcome you to join our Front Office

Department. We know that you are powerful person that we sure that you have enough

knowledge to lead our team be a most successful hotel in Stockholm.

We know that is difficult to make decision working in Stockholm since here is

different between Hong Kong. In case to let you understand more about our country,we are here to take the opportunity in introduce you some relative information and it

may have different with your home country.

In this document, we will analysis three potential communication barriers

regarding the city that might be useful and have opportunities to know its behavior and

culture such as culture dimensions - hofstede, business etiquette and woman at work.

We hope those factors will guide you have successful career in here.

We are looking forward to be your colleague and work with you. If you have any

questions about this please do not hesitate to contact us and we are willing to be of

assist you.

Best Regards,

Amy Ng Ching Ying

Manager of Room Division


2/12

1

Intercultural Communication

CW 2 Individual Report

Location: Stockholm

Prepared For: Mr. Stephan Earnhart

Prepared by: Ching Ying Ng, Amy (3H2)

Module: HM 302

Date: 20th

May 2011


3/12

2

Table of Content

Stockholm ...................................................................................................................... 3Introduction ............................................................................................................ 3Life Style ................................................................................................................ 3Education ............................................................................................................... 3

Cultural DimensionsHofstede .................................................................................... 4Power Distance ...................................................................................................... 4Individualism ......................................................................................................... 5Uncertainty Avoidance ........................................................................................... 5Masculinity ............................................................................................................ 6Long-term Orientation ........................................................................................... 6

Stereotyping ................................................................................................................... 7Safety ..................................................................................................................... 7Language ................................................................................................................ 7Food Customs ........................................................................................................ 7Public Holidays ...................................................................................................... 8

Etiquette ......................................................................................................................... 9Introduction ............................................................................................................ 9Communication ...................................................................................................... 9Meetings and Negotiations .................................................................................... 9

Recommendations ........................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.References .................................................................................................................... 11


4/12

3

Stockholm

Introduction

Stockholm is the largest city and also is the capital of Sweden. In early 13th

century, Stockholm has grown and emerged as a thriving, modern European city the

exudes confidence at all levels, be they financial, cultural, social or gastronomic.

(Columbus Travel Media Ltd., 2011). Especially have powerful in industries and

financial part which is the top of the North Europe. Most of the citizen has strongly

English ability thats why there have many multinational corporation company located

in Stockholm. This place has very high efficiency, stable political system,

well-educated, dedicated and possessed vision of the labor force. As a market, the

rapid development of Stockholm has become an important hub for the Baltic region

and also in the European market.

Life Style

The Swedish people are much enjoyed and like of their simple lifestyle thus they

do like too magnificent and they like to share as well. Swedes have a concept is live

by Logom which is mean they dont expect too much and just enough thing for

their life is good.

Education

Education is very important in Sweden which is same as Hong Kong. Both of the

governments provide free education until secondary school and they are compulsory.

The Swedish people are having high education, because the government has strongly

support to most of the universities and college thus this benefit only for local people.


5/12

4

Cultural DimensionsHofstede

According to Hofstede (1991), Swedens cultural behaviors can be separate to 5

parts of characteristic dimensions and due to those cultural dimensions will represent

you what is their cultural environment at this area and it is useful for you to gain more

knowledge and understand more cultural about this place. The following table is

going to show the score of Hofstede in Sweden, Hong Kong and also compare the

score of world average:

Region PowerDistance

Individualism UncertaintyAvoidance

Masculinity Long-termOrientation

Sweden 31 71 29 5 22

Hong Kong 68 25 29 57 96

World

Average

57 44 65 49 46

Table 1. The 5 model of professor Greet Hofstede

Power Distance

Compares to Hong Kong and World Average, Sweden have lower power distance

index which is 31 that mean it has a low power distance culture. For example when

Swedish people need to make decision then they will tend to be democracy and the

consultation, and they only accept equally and their culture is non-heresy whatever in

large or small company. As mention before their concept is Logom, when they

introduce themself will use the normal way and they prefer to call someones last

name instead of the full name. In business environment, different levels of employees

are very respecting each other. Especially manager and supervisors level they want to

make sure is equally and fair for every employee. And Hong Kong is totally

difference in business environment, for example, most of manager and supervisors

level they cant do the something like Sweden because they only use their own feeling


6/12

5

to respect the people and it is not equally and fair.

Individualism

Compare with world average 40 and Hong Kong is 25 and the individualism of

Sweden index is 71, it means Sweden have a high individualism index. As they are

individualistic, everyone is cheered to stand out, be distinctive, express and do their

own thing by themselves. Also they have individual right to ensure independence,

choice and freedom of speech. In the society, they usually make a deal than building

long-term relationships. As they form large number of looser relationships and they

are less focus on group. In the business environment, they negotiations are small in

numbers. Some of them are selfish as they are looking for personal gains and give

emphasis to personal achievement at the expense of group goals. As the result, it

forms in a strong common sense of competition. Hong Kong loyalty to the collectivist

culture is essential. Foster good community relations, everyone needs the

responsibility for other members of their groups.

Uncertainty Avoidance

Compare with world average 65, the uncertainty avoidance index of Hong Kong

and Sweden are same which is 29, it means Sweden and Hong Kong have a low

uncertainty avoidance index. Sweden is not very emotion and rely less on rules; they

like to be more flexibility and pragmatism, in the business, they are willing to accept

changes and they dare to take risk in their business, they always have different opinions.

On the other hand, Hong Kong has many different cultures within this city and also

have many ideas can come together; they will not accept uncertain things and have a

freedom to give opinion.


7/12

6

Masculinity

Compare with world average 48, Hong Kong is 57 and the masculinity index of

Sweden is 5, it means Sweden has a low masculinity index. There are a lot of

differentiation & discrimination in society and power structure, they think men and

women should be equal, and also, their country has a long history of equal between

genders. In the business & society, Swedish treat that as a collaboration rather than

competition and there is no difference when dealing with male and female. Moreover,

they prefer to have flexible working hours and long vacation. For example: have a

person in Sweden, he mentioned about he got 18 months parental leave and he is not

unemployed, one of the welfare in Sweden is you still get paid during the leave.

Long-term Orientation

Compare with world average 52, Hong Kong is 96 and the long term orientation

index of Sweden is 40, it means Sweden have a low long term orientation index as we

can also called short term orientation. They are open to change their ways and

respect others. Hong Kong is a long-term orientation city, because according to Asian

cultures show that the social dimension of time perspective, attitude and perseverance.

In Social life, the relationship begins and ends with the negotiation and the Swedish

behave in general is being very focused on reaching a result which means the truth.


8/12

7

Stereotyping

Safety

Stockholm is a very safety city for visitors and workers. There is no need to

avoid certain areas or what kind of transportation. Sergels Torg is a well-known social

place which is drug transaction place, when you pass by dont afraid because will not

threat your safety. As usual, like Hong Kong low crime rate does mean no crime, so

you should keep always vigilant and avoid go the darkest and back streets and tunnel.

Do not leave valuables things in the car or in the locker room and remember looking

at your package in a crowded place. Most of the store and shop are accepting credit

and debit card so that no need to bring larger amounts of cash with you.

Language

Swedish is the first language in Stockholm. As mention before, Swedish people

have very high education thus most of them can speak fluent English which the

almost the same compare to Hong Kong. Therefore, you wont worry about cannot

communication with the local person.

Food Customs

Buffet is very popular and famous in Stockholm, have many different kind of

food, like cheeses, salad, meat, fish and etc. They always have buffet in Christmas,

Easter, Midsummer, wedding banquet and other celebration. Fish is the main food for

Swedish diet and the other common food include sausage, cheese, root vegetables,

potatoes and etc. Our hotel will provide meal as buffet in your working day in the

staff canteen and it is quite similar what Hong Kong hotels do something.


9/12

8

Public Holidays

Stockholm has 13 public holidays. As you know, hospitality industry is non-stops

operating business and hotel cannot promise you have day off on those days but can

promise you can give your holidays later on. And our hotel has offer double paid on

public holiday thus we need more staff to run hotel in busy holidays.


10/12

9

Etiquette

Introduction

The very important thing is first impression because people will decide when you

arrive in first day. Please be attention, you must according to our hotels appearance

standard to show that you are professional and which is necessary. Be well

preparation before you work in our team, for example introduce yourself before the

team with eye contact and confidence. Working in Stockholm is different because

there are small gap between managers and employees compares to Hong Kong, but as

we mention before the Swedish people are very direct, if you did something wrong

they will adjust you immediately.

Communication

During the business trip, the Swedish people are formal dressing when they show

up and will use the formal or academic title to call the person. They are very straight

forward and use direct method to tell you what they want and need, so do not try to

guess what they say. And never interrupt other when they are talking or concentrate

on their own work.

Meetings and Negotiations

Swedish people use 24 hour clock format to making appointment to reduce the

misunderstanding and they will not cancel the meeting at the last minute. If they are

late, they will call and explain what happen. Before start the meeting, will shake

hands with everyone and leaving the meeting as well. And remember standing until

someone invites you to sit down. At last, must follow up the meeting through e-mail

or mail with all agreement.


11/12

10

Conclusion

To sum up, this report included some information which is the basic data of

Stockholm culture. For example like Hofstede dimension, stereotyping and business

etiquette which is important information for working in Stockholm.

Stockholm has low distance index regarding form Hofstede Dimension Cultural.

This is the reason why they have equality the level within the society and equal

treatment in their organization as well. Stockholm is the place which is punctuality

and have very well organized within the business environment provide sense of time

and productivity as the most fundamental values.

Overall working in Stockholm is a litter bit different compare working in Hong

Kong, and you should respect and accept the culture different. This report could be

helpful for you to understand Stockholm and within short period, and hold you have

successful career in Stockholm and have enjoy your life in here.


12/12

11

References

Columbus Travel Media Ltd. (2011) World Travel Guide History [Internet]

Available form: [Accessed 3 May 2011]

Greet-Hofstede (1991) itmi International Hosfstede [Inertnet] Available form:

[Accessed 3 May 2011]

Baidu (2011) Baidu Stockholm culture [Inernet] Available form:


Earthy Family (2010) Earthy Family Stockholm culture [Internet] Available form:


Every Culture (2011) Every CultureStockholm culture [Internet] Available form:

Documents

Intercultural Communication - CW2