Market Cultural Report

Question: Discuss about theMarket Cultural Report. Answer: Introduction The report essentially focuses on understanding the cultural differences between two global markets like Singapore and United States. Singapore is identified as the host market. Use of Hofstede Cultural Dimensions would be incorporated for conducting needed analysis regarding the Singaporean culture in an in-depth fashion. Rationale for Choosing Singapore Singapore is chosen as the host country for it also hosts a branch of the American fashion retailing firm where I am currently employed in United States. The position of the retail industry in Singapore during the 2013 period is reflected in the following illustration. (Spring Singapore , 2014) The operating revenue generated by the retail sector during 2013 is reflected to be $34.5 billion(Spring Singapore , 2014). The above situation effectively reflects the factors that attract potential foreign retailers in the Singaporean market. The fashion retail company with which I am employed in United States has currently decided on expanding its branch in Singapore. I am selected to operate as a departmental manager of one of its international outlets to be located in Singapore. Cultural Analysis Aesthetics The aesthetics based analysis of the Singaporean culture reflects avid existence of different cultures enclaves associated to different global regions like China, India and Malaysia. The Chinatown based in Singapore essentially reflects on the historical facts of China. The cultural heritage initiates from the Chinese Heritage Centre and thereby revolves across different heritage districts. The cultural heritage site reflecting the panorama of Indian culture essentially highlights on the color and vibrancy of the country. Little India that lies on the eastward side of the Singaporean river encompasses different stalls that sells fresh fruit, sweets and also different types of accessories(Singapore Airlines , 2016). The Arab Street of Singapore is highlighted as one of the most colorful region that once hosted the Malay royalty. The Arab Street earns its significance owing to the presence of important mosques. The Sun Yet Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall in Singapore essentially highlights t he revolutionary activities of Dr. Sun related to the Southeast Asian region. Similarly, the Malay Heritage Centre reflects the historical facts, culture and contributions rendered by the Malay community in Singapore. The Perankan Museum based in Singapore essentially displays different types of displays like crafted jewelry, ornaments made of gold and silver, beaded slippers and other ceramic based items, furniture and textiles. The above items throw light on the aesthetic attributes Pernakan heritage(Singapore Airlines , 2016). Values and Attitudes The values and attitudes of the Singaporean community essentially reflect the impact of effective education and income that makes the people react in a sophisticated and modernized fashion. The impact of the western culture on the Singaporean people is potentially reflective based on the modernized values and cultures of the masses. The Singaporean community is also evaluated to essentially focus on the acquisition of large amount of wealth and also strive for higher education. Further, though major sections of the Singaporean community are satisfied with their life yet they are demanding regarding better medical treatment and healthcare facilities(Hassan, 2016). A survey conducted on the Singaporeans essentially reflect the personal values and ideals of the regional members as centered on family, feelings of compassion and respect, increased sense of responsibility, focusing on remaining healthy and happy while also focusing on sustaining morality, virtues and honesty while dealing in their domestic, professional and social lives. Attitudinally, the Singaporeans are observed to be highly competitive, materialistic and self-centered in nature. Further, the Singaporeans also suffer from fear of death and also focus on blaming others for their plight. They also demand greater security support(Sim, 2015). Manners and Customs In terms of manners and customs the Singaporean people place increased importance to body language and no-verbal patterns of communication styles. The Singaporeans regard the keeping of hands on hips while communicating with them as a bad manner in that it reflects needed aggressiveness. Again, the Singaporeans also regard the head to be the sacred part of the body and thus find it wrong for people to touch their head while communicating. Singaporeans also desire communication to be carried on between parties in a suggestive tone rather than being direct or aggressive in nature. The Singaporean people also desire people to sit with their feet facing down such that it does not tend to offend any person(Debenham, 2015). Further, the Singaporeans also endeavor in sustaining a harmonious and effective relationship with other members of the society including their peers, colleagues and their own family members. The members of the Singaporean community also require needed respect to be pai d to the elderly members in the family. Similarly, they also focus on showing respect to the people commanding higher authority in the firms. Relating to the showing of greetings the Singaporean people regard the shaking of hands and also Salaam as effective gestures(Debenham, 2015). The Singaporeans also render increased importance to the parameter of punctuality and thus require the organizational members to be at proper time at the workplace. They also feel that it erroneous for people to open gift items before people that have gifted them such and thus it is customary to open the gift items at a later period(gapyear.com, 2016). Social Structure The analysis of the social structure of Singapore can be essentially reflected based on the existence of crime in the region and the administrative patterns prevalent for countering such. The generation of effective administrative and regulatory standards is observed to considerably help in the reduction of crime rates in Singapore. Moreover, the focus of the Singaporean government on promotion of economic growth and development, generation of developed healthcare and educational facilities to the Singaporean youths and also the incorporation of safety nets has significantly contributed in the reduction of criminal activities in the region. Further, it is observed that around 40 percent of the different types of criminal activities conducted by criminal activists in Singapore is effectively countered through the combined assistance of police force and the members of the social communities. Singapore also reflects the presence of strict criminal detection laws and rules that in turn d issuade the people from getting involved in criminal activities in the region(Leenders Gabbay, 2013). The different ethnic groups in Singapore are the people belonging to the Chinese, Malay and Indian origin. The Chinese people constitute around 74.2 percent of the population followed by 13.3 percent of Malay population and 9.2 percent Indian people. Mandarin, English and Malay are observed to be the main languages spoken in the region(CIA, 2016). Religion The major population in Singapore are essentially Buddhist in nature followed by Muslim, Taoist, Catholic, Hindu and also Christian members. Buddhists tends to constitute around 34 percent of the population where Muslims and Taos constitute around 14.3 and 11.3 percent of the Singaporean population. The people belonging to the Catholic and Hindu religion amount to constitute 7.1 and 5.2 percent of Singaporean population while Christian people comprise 11 percent of Singapores population(CIA, 2016). Different types of religious occasions like Lunar New Year, Deepavali, Christmas, Hari Raya Puasa, Vesak Day and Hari Raya Haji are celebrated in Singapore for addressing the religious needs of diverse communities(Guruswamy, n.d.). Personal Communication Public debating is discouraged in Singapore. Similarly, the practice of correcting or manner of disagreeing with ideologies and statements rendered by elderly members in the family and society and also with people belonging to higher organizational hierarchy is largely dissuaded in Singapore. Arguing, correcting and disagreeing with elderly members in the society tend to affect the self image of the elderly people in the society while also tarnishes self respect of an individual. The Singaporean society largely admits the asking of personal questions associated to weight, income and marital status. Further, the communicators are required to communicate in low and calm tones. The people are discouraged from raising their voice and also overtly showing emotions like anger and sadness in public. Eye contact is also not required to be maintained while maintaining communication. Maintaining an eye contact for a longer period is considered unworthy in Singapore. Physical contact between in dividuals belonging to the same genders is widely acceptable in Singapore(Circles of Excellence , 2014). Education The educational system in Singapore is ideally divided along three different stages like primary, secondary and finally the pre-university education. The primary education stage is made mandatory for all such that the parents that have not made the primary education system available to their wards are amenable to criminal punishment. Examinations are held on the completion of each of the different educational stages for deciding the advancement of the students in the educational field(Rashid, 2012). The education system in Singapore is observed to be mostly funded by the government institutions in Singapore and generates increased focus on the study of different subjects like mathematics, science and other types of technical skills. The students are encouraged and facilitated to generate higher standards in their respective educational institutions which in turn enhance their potentials for generating effective contributions to the larger society(Pornovetz, Quiroga, Rodriguez, Sarmi ento, n.d.). Physical Environments Singapore is observed to be a small island that is increasingly urbanized in nature. The total area of the Singaporean region amounts to 778 square kilometers. Singapore is essentially constituted by a group 63 diverse islands. Singapore is separated from the Malaysian landmass by the Johor Strait. Larger parts of the Singaporean region are covered with avid greenery. The climate of Singapore is observed to be equatorial in nature that in turn reflects the absence of distinct seasons. The temperature along the year remains almost constant ranging from 23 to around 31 degrees centigrade. However, due to chances of heavy rainfall or rise in sea levels, Singapore tends to face the chances of potential floods and also from land loss in the coastal regions(CIA, 2016). Business Culture The American business culture in contrast to the Singaporean business culture reflects reduced existence of Power Distance between the members involved in a firm. Existence of low Power Distance contributes in growth of collaboration between organizational members involved in American firms for decision making functions. The American business culture in contrast to the Singaporean business ethos focuses on encouraging individual growth of employees in a firm rather than aiming for collective growth. Like Singapore the American business culture however essentially focuses on meeting the ambitions and growth needs of the organizational members. The Americans in contrast to the Singaporeans also reflect needed flexibility and openness regarding receptivity to external changes, business processes and innovations. Further, the culture of the American business firms essentially focus on short-term objectives compared to long-term business focus in the Singaporean market. Finally, the Ameri cans like the Singaporeans generate increased importance to the incorporation of leisure time and breaks such that the same helps in enhancing and sustaining the productivity of the employees(Geert Hofstede , n.d. ). Hofstedes 5 Cultural Dimensions Analysis Analysis of Singapores culture based on Hofstedes Cultural Model can be essentially carried out based on the following illustration. (Geert Hofstede , n.d.) Individualism vs. Collectivism Singapore reflects a score of 20 in this dimension. The score of 20 reflects Singapore as a collectivist society that requires the people to not only work in groups but also care for each others feelings, emotions and needs. Business institutions operating in Singapore are thus required to encourage the organizational members to work in a team framework. Similarly, generation of group incentive and medical plans would further help in motivating the people. Power Distance With a high score of 74 Singapore reflects the existence of high power distance between the organizational members. The staffs and managers operating in Singaporean firms essentially depend on orders rendered by the superior members in the organization. The people feel comfortable in a centralized organization structure with formal communication and interaction systems and limited information flows. Business institutions are thus required to possess effective organizational hierarchies for encouraging greater productivity and performance(Taras, Steel, Kirkman, 2012). Uncertainty Avoidance Singapore in terms of Uncertainty Avoidance essentially reflects a very low score of 8. The same reflects that Singaporeans tend to fear the emergence of uncertain situations and contingencies for which they require the existence of regulatory mechanisms and code of conduct to be in place within the firms. Business institutions are thus required to work based on developing effective organizational structures and rules that help the organizational members for effectively following such in addressing business and institutional objectives(Gholipour Tajaddini, 2014). Achievement vs. Nurturing Singapore reflects a middle range score of 48 relating to this dimension. The existence of a middle range score ideally reflects that Singaporean people though tend to look forward for achieving higher grades and promotions yet also focus on looking after or caring for their fellow members and colleagues. The organizational managers thus require helping the individual members to fulfill and achieve their aspirations and ambitions. They require designing conductive working atmosphere that would help people rise up the organizational ladder. Again, the managers are also required to encourage the achievers of sharing their experiences and knowledge with other fellow members and new recruits such that the same would help in encouraging them to generate same or greater productivity(Garcia-Gavilanes, Quercia, Jaimes, 2013). Long Term Orientation In terms of long-term orientation, Singapore reflects an increased score of 72. The higher score obtained in this dimensions essentially shows that the organizational members rely on continuous or long-term efforts and tend to persevere for gaining effective results in future. The managers and owners focus on generating investment for long-term periods such that the same would help the company earn better returns in future. Business institutions are thus required to imbue a long-term business culture based on revising their mission and vision goals. Further, the organizational managers are also required to set long-term business targets while also adequately plan for resources, infrastructure and finances for meeting the long-term goals. Similarly, the business managers are also required to motivate and encourage the workers for generating continual efforts in meeting of long-term goals and objectives(Geert Hofstede , n.d.). Conclusion Empirical discussions and analysis are incorporated in the report for conducting cultural analysis of the Singaporean market. Further, Hofstede cultural dimensions are also incorporated in the report for essentially clarifying the findings. The cultural comparisons of the American and Singaporean market are also carried out in the report for understanding the changes needed to be incorporated in the business institutions for helping the American retail firm conduct its operations in Singapore. References CIA. (2016). Singapore . Retrieved November 29, 2016, from https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/sn.html Circles of Excellence . (2014, August 2). Cultural Clues, Dos Taboos: Communication Guidelines for SINGAPORE. Retrieved November 29, 2016, from https://www.circlesofexcellence.com/blog/2014/08/cultural-clues-dos-taboos-communication-guidelines-for-singapore/ Debenham, L. (2015, February 26). Etiquette in Singapore. Retrieved November 29, 2016, from https://www.traveletiquette.co.uk/etiquettesingapore.html gapyear.com. (2016). Local Customs in Singapore. Retrieved November 29, 2016, from https://www.gapyear.com/countries/singapore/local-customs Garcia-Gavilanes, R., Quercia, D., Jaimes, A. 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