Considering the business environment in Brazil, which are the main challenges for a Brazilian professional performing in other countries? Are such challenges similar for a foreign professional working in Brazil?

Résumé du document

Going abroad as a business woman involves dealing with new political, economical, and cultural dimensions. The political aspects could have a striking effect on one's daily life. For example, in Saudi Arabia it is forbidden for women to drive cars. If a businesswoman is used to driving herself around, this change is quite severe. Also, most Western countries have certain requirements as to the hiring of labor with regard to race. Positive discrimination to minorities is evident in most societies.

Regarding the economical aspect, this is most likely the reason one works in another country. Driven by opportunities, this person is seeking a better future for himself/herself. The economic condition of a country will probably determine the field of action a person is in. For example, a businessman in Iran will almost certainly work in the oil and gas industry, whereas a businessman in the US will most likely work in the services sector.

Extraits

[...] Considering the business environment in Brazil, which are the main challenges for a Brazilian professional performing in other countries? Are such challenges similar for a foreign professional working in Brazil? Going abroad as a business (wo)man involves dealing with new political, economical, and cultural dimensions. The political aspects could have a striking effect on one's daily life. For example, in Saudi Arabia it is forbidden for women to drive cars. If a businesswoman is used to driving herself around, this change is quite severe. [...]

[...] A person from Argentina going to Chili might find the culture more similar as compared to when this person would have gone to Russia. The challenges faced by Brazilians going abroad and foreigners coming into Brazil are similar to the extend of cultural, political, and economical differences. References Tanure, B. & Duarte, R. G. (2005). Leveraging competitiveness upon national cultural traits: The management of people in Brazilian companies. International Journal of Human Resource Management, 16(12), 2201?2217. O?Keefe, H. & O?Keefe, W. M. (2004). [...]

[...] So, challenges for a Brazilian worker who wants to work abroad and those for foreigners who want to work in Brazil are different. Actually it's easier to adapt to the Brazilian culture than to the “Occidental” culture for instance, which is much more rigid. However, cultural differences between countries will be the most significant change for any person going abroad. Culture includes knowledge, beliefs, arts, morals, laws, customs, and other habits acquired by man and society. Elements of culture include: Dress and appearance, language and communication, sense of self and space, food and eating habits, time and time consciousness, relationships, differences between genders etc. [...]

[...] If we compare Brazil and the US is the level of individualism, for Brazilians going to the US it might be strange to experience a low level of collectivism in the work place, as well as in personal life. Also, the power distance (between subordinate and boss) is higher in Brazil as compared to the United States. For a Brazilian going to the US, speaking to the boss in a more informal way might be unusual. Also, the uncertainty avoidance and long-term orientation differ greatly between these two countries. [...]

[...] Business behaviors in Brazil and the USA. International Journal of Social Economics, 614?622. Ciulla, J. B. (2000). The working life. Neww York: Three Rivers. [...]