Banana Tours “Cultural Information regarding both Ecuador and Nicaragua.”

Banana Tours “Cultural Information regarding both Ecuador and Nicaragua.”

Culture defines the social values, attitudes, behaviours, lifestyle as well as norms and customs of a particular group of people. It shapes the activities and actions of people in a country. Different states have different religions around the world (Cullen & Parboteeah, 2016). For example, countries located in Latin America such as Ecuador and Nicaragua is associated with various identities and multiculturalism (Mohan-Neill, 2010). However, it should be noted that Nicaragua depicts high power distance and high levels of collectivism among people. Both Ecuador and Nicaragua represent a culture where Spanish is the native language. However, many people can also communicate in English in these countries (Torío-López et al., 2018).

Arguably, the business culture Ecuador and Nicaragua depicts high levels of creativity and friendly working environment. The people living in these countries are close to strangers. There is a division of business roles among women and men in the region. Men mostly do hard work and are among the top managers in the country. In Nicaragua, women mainly support children and do domestic activities (Cullen & Parboteeah, 2016). The people of Ecuador use English to conduct their business operations. Formality is highly valued in public and private business activities in both Ecuador and Nicaragua. However, constant wars due to the difference in political values have affected business operations in Nicaragua over the last five years (Mohan-Neill, 2010). In Ecuador, the family is highly valued, and the majority of people are Christians. The people in the country also love recreational activities such as sports. Cultures dealing with tourism are also highly valued in both courtiers. Despite challenges in the two countries, it should be noted that they depict a friendly business culture (Cullen & Parboteeah, 2016).

Hofstede’s Model and Trompenaars’ 7d Model Analysis of Ecuador and Nicaragua Cultures

Hofstede’s Cultural Model of Ecuador and Nicaragua

Hofstede Cultural Model covers various aspects of culture including the following

• Power distance index
• Individualism vs. collectivism
• Uncertainty avoidance
• Masculinity vs. femininity
• Long-term orientation vs. short-term orientation
• Indulgence vs. restraint

Figure 1: Hofstede’s Cultural Model

Source: Mohan-Neill, (2010).

Both Ecuador and Nicaragua are Latin American based countries (Torío-López et al., 2018). In terms of power distance, Latin America countries depict high power distance. People believe that inequalities among people are part of life (Mohan-Neill, 2010). Authorities mostly make influential decision makers in the regions. There is also more emphasis on collectivism, and people express more loyalty to working group relationships (Hamburg, 2010).

However, in terms of masculinity and femininity, Latin American cultures support feminism (Torío-López et al., 2018). Many women in the region are educated and work in professional opportunities just like men. The role of men and women are also based on traditional values. Family relationships are accorded high value. In terms of uncertainty avoidance, the region supports low uncertainty avoidance. Emotions are openly expressed, and people avoid any ambiguity in their life. Rules are noted highly followed, and religion guides people actions (Cullen & Parboteeah, 2016).

Latin American also supports short term orientation. They set short term goals and use flexible means in achieving their goals (Torío-López et al., 2018). Norms are not strict, and people are free to negotiate. Indulgence and socialization are also highly valued in Latin America. Children are trained to control their desires, and many people try to restrain their bad behaviours in social settings (Mohan-Neill, 2010).

Trompenaars 7 Cultural Dimensions of Ecuador and Nicaragua

The Trompenaars 7 Cultural Dimensions cover various aspects as indicated below

1. Universalism vs. particularism.
2. Individualism vs. communitarianism.
3. Specific vs. diffuse.
4. Neutral vs. effective.
5. Achievement vs. ascription.
6. Later time vs. synchronous time.
7. Internal direction vs. external direction.

Figure 2: Trompenaars 7 Cultural Dimensions

Source: Mohan-Neill, (2010).

In terms of Trompenaars Cultural Dimensions Model of culture, it is true that Ecuador and Nicaragua cultures value high levels of particularism and relationships are highly valued than rules. This means that business in the regions is based on good relationships and respect for others. Both cultures are also based on communitarianism, and the people believe that high quality of life is essential (Torío-López et al., 2018). People are organized around groups with high group loyalty in two countries. People conduct business in groups.

Latin Americans also depict affective cultures, and people tend to share their emotions while conducting business. The regions also include diffuse cultures and personal relationship and work life are highly connected (Cullen & Parboteeah, 2016). Business operations are discussed in social places, and personal matters can be shared within the workplace in these two countries. In terms of Achievement versus Ascription, the countries depict ascription cultures and status is based on an individual level of education and age. Authority is highly valued as well. The Latin American culture also includes the synchronous time culture where people see the past, present and future as interconnected aspects. People work with flexible deadlines. Finally, in terms of internal direction and external direction, Latin American cultures support external guidance and feedback is highly valued. People value the external environment and working with others (Torío-López et al., 2018).

Dominant Market Type/Index of Economic Freedom in Ecuador and Nicaragua

Ecuador depicts a mixed economy with high levels of creativity. Sports are one of the highly valued economic factors in the country (Mohan-Neill, 2010). The state also depends on oil, bananas as well as gold and other agricultural products. Ecuador is regarded as the world largest exporter of bananas. It also has a reliable infrastructure with a low inflation rate (Torío-López et al., 2018).

However, Nicaragua economy depicts a stable agricultural sector. The region has experienced political challenges in the past, and it has low remittance growth (Siew & Xin Jean, 2019). The area also depends on textile exports and the country’s principal exports include seafood, melons, peanuts, onions, coffee, meat, and sugar. The region also enjoys stable tourism activities. Political challenges have led to high unemployment and poverty in the country (Cullen & Parboteeah, 2016).

References

Babb, F. E. (2011). The tourism encounter : Fashioning Latin American nations and histories. Stanford, Calif: Stanford University Press.

Cullen, J. B. & Parboteeah, K. P. (2016). Multinational management: A strategic approach, 7th Ed. Cengage learning, e-book.

Hamburg, A. (2010). Romanian negotiation style based on its cultural dimensions. Annals of the University of Petrosani Economics, 10(4), 105–116.

Mohan-Neill, S. (2010). Culture 2.0: A Critical comparison of Hofstede’s cultural dimensions in Ecuador, India and the US. Allied Academies International Conference: Proceedings of the Academy for Studies in International Business (ASIB), 10(2), 18.

Siew Imm Ng, & Xin Jean Lim. (2019). Are Hofstede’s and Schwartz’s values frameworks equally predictive across contexts? Revista Brasilia de Gestapo de Negócios, 21(1), 33–47.

Torío-López, S., Palacios-Madero, M.-D., Mora-Oleas, J.-C., Peña-Calvo, J.-V., & Inda-Caro, M. (2018). Parents’ perceptions of their acceptance and rejection behaviors: benchmarking Spain and Ecuador. Journal of Child & Family Studies, 27(9), 3019–3026.