Seminar paper from the year 2003 in the subject Business economics - Business Management, Corporate Governance, grade: Distinction, Bond University Australia, language: English, abstract: Abstract "Communism was based on everyone being the same. Being different was a threat. Right now, Russian society is going through the painful process of reforming itself, and ridding itself of old ways of thinking. Although differences are officially allowed by the authorities great animosity still exists towards anything or anybody that is not average." Marina Tyanhelkova, International Republican Institute Background to the Russian people The Czarist and Communist regimes have suppressed people’s desire to work individually under personal initiative. During the restructuring period (perestroika), the Soviet Communist value system was redefined, but the pace of the restructuring has been very slow. Western values of individualism and profit maximisation are adapted to gradually, however many Russians, especially older Russians, have difficulty in adapting to a Western outlook on life. The older generation is generally pessimistic and does not have faith in a better future life, whereas younger urban Russians are more open to a Western lifestyle. Currently, Russia is going through a profound period of change to replace the values of Communism with those of democracy and a free-market economy. Visitors to Russia may find that many Russians are still unfamiliar with, or misinformed about, concepts that form the basis of Western business culture. It may be necessary to explain and persuade Russian counterparts to accept ideas such as motivation, fair play, individual accountability and reward, profit and loss, turnover, proprietary rights, good will, or public relations. However, these terms should only be used with tact and caution. One consideration to keep in mind is the widespread ‘assumption’ by Westerners that Russia is a very ‘European’ country. Discussions with several Russians have indicated that there is an affinity with Asia, and this should be kept in mind when assuming that Russia will converge to act more like North Americans or Europeans over time. Russians themselves often distinguish between Russia as a country and Moscow and Saint Petersburg as the most technologically and economically advanced cities in Russia. These two cities are relatively modern, meeting Western standards, and have experienced large-scale foreign direct investment in the past decade.

Seminar paper from the year 2006 in the subject Business economics - Business Management, Corporate Governance, grade: 1,5, Reutlingen University (Production Management), language: English, abstract: The globalization of the economy and the constantly growing cooperation across national and cultural borders in education, business, science and technology foster increasing de-pendencies among nations. Furthermore, it necessitates a heightened awareness for inter-cultural issues and a substantial competence to deal with intercultural problems in political, educational, business and science organizations for the individuals involved. Political devel-opments like the unification process in Europe call into questions long established features and boundaries of national identity. Especially, the fall of the Iron curtain suddenly enabled close neighbors who had been separated for roughly two generations and who lost their knowledge of each other, if not, under the influence of the long ideological confrontation, even developed negative stereotypes of each other. The mentioned dramatic political changes in Eastern Europe make Russia an interesting point of interest. Therefore, this paper is intended to introduce and examine the historical, economical, political, societal, cultural and business developments that Russia encountered before and after this radical transition. Although, this paper provides a country overview to some extend, the main emphasis is on cross-cultural management where it is crucial to recognize and understand the covered areas besides business development, for they influence and, in the end, determine the basis of a country’s value and belief system. Finally, this paper provides a cross-cultural study by Geert Hofestede that should showcase the impact of cultural differences on management comparing Russia to other countries in the world on various cultural dimensions.

Seminar paper from the year 2014 in the subject Business economics - Miscellaneous, grade: 1,0, University of Applied Sciences Leipzig, course: International Strategy and Sales Management, language: English, abstract: The objective of this paper is to inform and sensitise the reader in terms of doing sales business in Russia. The reader shall understand the challenges and opportunities the Russian market has to offer as well as the meaningfulness of regarding the cultural aspects in doing business. Belonging to the rising BRIC states Russia witnessed huge invests of foreign countries within the last years. This does not surprise because this country has enormous potentials: Primary materials, labour force, a large and growing demand of consuming and a great demand of infrastructure and modern industry. Throughout western countries Germany has an advantage in doing business in Russia. Due to history and the geographical situation Germany is traditionally a bit closer to it and there are still people speaking Russian. Anyway some companies fail on the Russian market. The cause of this is often the wrong mindset: A takeover of concepts and approaches from known markets to a new country especially to Russia is very likely to fail. It is a matter of common knowledge that business strategy is based and adapted from military. Instead of the opponent there is the business partner. Fight is the competition on the market for customers. Thus the author refers to a famous quote describing the intention of the current paper. Sun Tzu, the well-known general, strategist and philosopher of ancient China announced: “If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat.” The author applies the following methodology: In the first part the development of the Russian market within the last years is stated. Risks and opportunities are evaluated as a requirement to elaborate the possibilities how to do sales business in Russia within the following part. Each of the two parts are supported by a current case example of German Companies which entered the Russian market. Thereafter the focus is set on cultural aspects. The author approaches the topic by using cultural dimensions of the scientists Geert Hofstede and Edward T. Hall. In the last chapter the gathered knowledge is transformed and concluded to recommendations for doing sales business in Russia.

Seminar paper from the year 2009 in the subject Business economics - Miscellaneous, grade: 1,7, Furtwangen University; Villingen-Schwenningen, language: English, abstract: With this paper I want to provide an understanding of the cultural differences of Germans and Russians in terms of doing business together. Germany is the most important foreign trade partner for Russia and the business relation is forecasted to remain attractive for both parties. (www.auswertiges-amt.de) If managers from different cultures do business together, it is very important to be aware of the cultural differences when conducting business abroad to understand the business partners better. Culture is “something (...) that shapes behavior, or ... structures one’s perception of the world.” (Nancy J. Adler, International Dimensions of Organizational Behaviour, p.54; 2008) There are many aspects to look at, if you compare the German and the Russian culture. I used the cultural dimensions developed by Geert Hofstede and chose three dimensions, which I think are most relevant in this context, to point out cultural differences between Germans and Russians. This paper will first look at the differences in power distance of both countries. Then it goes on with the effects of the different scores in masculinity. The third dimension covered in this paper is uncertainty avoidance. It is to mention that Hofstede has not published any large-scale empirical studies for Russia, but he provided estimates.

Essay from the year 2009 in the subject Communications - Intercultural Communication, grade: 1,0, University of the Sunshine Coast Queensland (University of the Sunshine Coast), language: English, abstract: This essay reflects differences in culture and negotiation between Russia and Switzerland. According to Hofstede ́s value dimensions, main differences are shown and explained in a very deep way of historical background. Furthermore, this masterpiece is giving recommendations for Russian business people in terms of their negotiation tactic, preparation and behaviour in Switzerland during negotiations.

Seminar paper from the year 2008 in the subject Business economics - Miscellaneous, grade: 3,0, FHM University of Applied Sciences, course: Cross Culture Management, language: English, abstract: At first in the introduction there is a description of international communication and why it is important in daily international business. In order to understand the theoretic background communication framework and as well cultural framework are signed within different examples. Regarding to the cultural dimensions different studies which were made are included. In the practical part a special critical interaction shows the risks and problems with intercultural communication in an economic company in Russia. Regarding to that recruiting strategies and developing skills belong to it as remarkable contents. Than a solution or advancements have being given for a preparation to improve intercultural communication. Finally a conclusion with a short summary was also being added.

Essay from the year 2009 in the subject Communications - Intercultural Communication, grade: 1,0, University of the Sunshine Coast Queensland (University of the Sunshine Coast), language: English, abstract: This essay reflects differences in culture and negotiation between Russia and Switzerland. According to Hofstede ́s value dimensions, main differences are shown and explained in a very deep way of historical background. Furthermore, this masterpiece is giving recommendations for Russian business people in terms of their negotiation tactic, preparation and behaviour in Switzerland during negotiations.