question:
Thank you for your insights.
How would you measure the cultural distance between the U.S. and Brazilian cultures?
Countries around the world have their own social standards, cultural backgrounds, the way of thinking, being, behavior. All these factors strongly impact the business fauna. It is important to understand cultural differences in the modern society. Comparing the differences will help to understand the culture and improve the relationship.
Individualistic culture is where society stress the needs of the individual over the needs of the group as a whole. Usually, this type of culture cultivates people to be independent and sovereign with their own views. The U.S. culture is tended to be individualistic while Brazilian culture is collectivistic. This shows society supports group collaboration and depends heavily on relationships with others.
Masculinity stands for a society where gender roles are evidently distinct with achievements, rewards and assertiveness. In these societies work is more important so people choosing a career over family. The United States is a good example of masculinity while in Brazil femininity is desired and focusses on caring modesty cooperation and quality of life.
Power distance in Brazil is consider high because the way people in society relate to each other on a hierarchical scale. Although, in the U.S. the power distance is low based on culture that values the equal treatment of everyone. The key point is how the people dealing with inequalities among each other.
The objectives of the new learning program should help U.S. expatriates to better understand collectivist, high power distance and improve cross-cultural relationship with Brazilians. Moreover, the program should focus of Brazilian feminine values as well. As the result of training, the expatriates should achieve clear communication skills and mutual trust, respect and understanding of each other.