ABSTRACT
This chapter provides a basic understanding of national cultures and explains how to prepare for cultural differences in international business activities. Emerging markets are especially difficult to break in and by properly preparing for cultural differences, an international manager can be more successful by behaving in ways consistent with local expectations. The chapter introduces some of the major reasons why cultural differences need to be understood. It explores some of the ways national cultures affect business through a special emphasis on business cultures. The chapter examines some ways multinational companies (MNCs) and their employees can prepare for cultural differences. It helps the reader to understand how cultural differences impact behaviors and attitudes of people in a country. The chapter examines some of the popular types of cross-cultural training and some of the best practices regarding design, delivery, and evaluation of such programs.
