This thesis aims at understanding how culture influences the leadership style of Swedish managers and the implications that this has for other countries in doing business with them. Additionally, this thesis seeks to understand which impact globalization has on cultures and how this might influence national identity.
In order to grasp the versatile field of culture, this thesis starts with finding a generally accepted definition for this multilayered topic. After that, it examines three culture models by Schein, Hall and Hofstede, three well-known scholars in the field of culture, who should help graphing culture by the means of their models. This thesis conceptualizes the similarities within the mentioned culture models. As for any country analyzation it is important to understand that no one is to judge another culture, therefore this thesis will briefly introduce the topic of cultural relativism in order to prevent any misconceptions.
As mentioned, this thesis aims at understanding how globalization is influencing cultures. Therefore, this paper elaborates on three different scenarios on how globalization influences the cultural identity. These so-called three H’s of cultural globalization are analyzed to identify how globalization might change the cultural world view.
The following chapter, which focuses on analyzing Swedish culture, firstly introduces Sweden by means of the SIMM and Hofstede’s culture onion and secondly by using a dialectic approach to analyzing culture, namely Hofstede’s dimensions and the Yin-Yang principle. This mutuality of concepts shall help understanding the complexity of a culture analysis.
Within the penultimate chapter, the topic of leadership is generally defined and Swedish leadership style analyzed by the GLOBE study, followed by a selected leadership model, the Competing Values Framework. This model is firstly defined and in a next step merged with previous findings from Hofstede’s Dimensions, the GLOBE study and the Yin-Yang principle. The combination of these models shall help answering the main research questions.
In the last chapter, the author summarizes the main findings by answering the research questions. To conclude this thesis, the limitations of this work are outlined, as well as possible future research.
Table of Contents
1 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Problem Definition
1.2 Goal of Thesis
1.3 Structure of Thesis
1.4 Method
1.5 Gender Declaration
2 THE CONCEPT OF CULTURE
2.1 Definitions of Culture
2.2 Accord of Definitions
2.3 Culture Models
2.3.1 Levels of Culture
2.3.2 Iceberg Model
2.3.3 Hofstede’s Culture Onion
2.4 Commonalities within the Culture Models
2.5 Cultural Relativism
3 CULTURAL GLOBALIZATION
3.1 Three H’s of cultural globalization
3.1.1 Homogenization scenario
3.1.2 Heterogenization scenario
3.1.3 Hybridization scenario
3.2 Three paradigms on the relationship between global and local cultures
3.3 Summary
4 DIALECTIC APPROACH TO ANALYZING CULTURE
4.1 Analysis of Sweden based on 4 aspects of the SIMM
4.1.1 Sweden
4.1.2 History
4.1.3 Political System
4.1.4 Religions
4.1.5 Perception of Law
4.2 The Swedish Culture Onion
4.3 Hofstede’s Dimensions
4.3.1 Power Distance Index (PDI)
4.3.2 Individualism versus Collectivism (IDV)
4.3.3 Masculinity versus Femininity (MAS)
4.3.4 Uncertainty Avoidance Index (UAI)
4.3.5 Long Term Orientation versus Short Term Orientation (LTO)
4.3.6 Indulgence versus Restraint (IVR)
4.4 Principle of Yin-Yang
4.5 Summary on Hofstede and Yin-Yang
5 LEADERSHIP
5.1 Competing Values Framework
5.2 Swedish culture on leadership styles
5.2.1 GLOBE Study
5.2.2 CVF on Sweden
6 CONCLUSION
6.1 Limitations
6.2 Outlook
Research Objectives & Core Topics
This thesis investigates how Swedish culture shapes the leadership styles of local managers and the resulting implications for international business conduct. By integrating traditional cultural models with a dialectic Yin-Yang approach, the research aims to provide practical insights into navigating Swedish business environments effectively.
- Analysis of established cultural models (Schein, Hall, Hofstede)
- Examination of globalization scenarios and their impact on cultural identity
- Dialectic analysis of Swedish culture using the SIMM and the Yin-Yang principle
- Evaluation of Swedish leadership through the GLOBE study and Competing Values Framework
- Guidance for international business professionals working with Swedish partners
Excerpt from the Book
4.2 The Swedish Culture Onion
Lewis (2006) created an extended version of Hofstede’s Culture Onion by adding an interlayer between manifestations, or as Hofstede calls them ‘symbols’, and heroes (seen in Figure 5).
Within the outermost layer, manifestations, Lewis (2006) describes how Swedes are influenced by external factors in their cultural habitat. As the topic of the welfare state has already been dealt with within the chapter 4.1.3 it will not be discussed within this chapter anymore. Democracy and equality are high on the list of manifestations within Swedish culture, however in times of growing immigration, Sweden struggles to keep up its egalitarian principles (Andersson and Gunnarsson 2004). The so called Allemansrätt or right for public access, allows every Swede to roam the countryside and camp and enjoy nature wherever and whenever. This is exemplary for Sweden and displays its social side as well, suggesting that land does not belong to anyone but should serve all (Andersson 2009). Therefore, Swedes protect their nature and safeguard it for the following generations. Swedes also like doing sports outside and tend to be sporty in general (Lewis 2006). Each year the world turns its eyes on Sweden for the annual Nobel Prize ceremony which is awarded in Stockholm and Oslo for outstanding achievements in the categories chemistry, literature, peace, physiology and medicine. This event is one of the most important ones in Sweden and Swedes are proud that it is held within their country (Swedish Institut 2018). Certainly, one could elaborate on Swedish manifestations much more but this thesis rather focuses on the core part of the culture onion and will therefore not go more into depth.
Chapter Summary
1 INTRODUCTION: Presents the relevance of cultural influence on international business and defines the research scope and core questions regarding Swedish leadership.
2 THE CONCEPT OF CULTURE: Provides a theoretical foundation by comparing prominent cultural models and defining key terminology like 'mental programming'.
3 CULTURAL GLOBALIZATION: Analyzes the interplay between global and local cultures through three distinct scenarios: homogenization, heterogenization, and hybridization.
4 DIALECTIC APPROACH TO ANALYZING CULTURE: Applies the SIMM, Hofstede's dimensions, and the Yin-Yang principle to provide a multidimensional analysis of Swedish culture.
5 LEADERSHIP: Examines leadership theories, specifically the Competing Values Framework and the GLOBE study, to interpret managerial behavior in Sweden.
6 CONCLUSION: Synthesizes findings to offer practical business implications and addresses the study's limitations while proposing future research avenues.
Keywords
Swedish culture, leadership style, Hofstede, Yin-Yang, globalization, Competing Values Framework, GLOBE study, international business, management, cultural models, lagom, egalitarianism, organizational behavior, cross-cultural management, consensus process.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this thesis?
The thesis explores the connection between Swedish national culture and the specific leadership behaviors exhibited by Swedish managers, specifically within the context of international business.
Which theoretical frameworks are utilized to analyze culture?
The author employs a mix of classic models like Hofstede’s 'Culture Onion' and Schein’s levels of culture, alongside the dialectic 'Yin-Yang' principle to capture the complexity of cultural paradoxes.
What is the primary research question?
The research is driven by three main questions: How does Swedish culture influence leadership, how does globalization affect culture, and what are the implications for doing business internationally?
Which methodology does the author follow?
The work relies on an extensive literature review of academic journals, books, and scientific papers, focusing on a qualitative, non-empirical approach.
What topics are covered in the main body of the work?
The main body covers the theoretical concept of culture, the dynamics of globalization, a detailed profile of Sweden, and an evaluation of leadership styles using the Competing Values Framework and the GLOBE study.
Which keywords best describe this research?
Key terms include Swedish leadership, Hofstede’s dimensions, Yin-Yang principle, cultural globalization, and the Competing Values Framework.
How does the Swedish philosophy of 'lagom' influence business conduct?
'Lagom' emphasizes balance and moderation, which manifests in Swedish management as a preference for consensus-based decision-making and an aversion to extreme hierarchical behavior.
What role does the 'Yin-Yang' principle play in this analysis?
It provides a dialectic lens to explain how seemingly opposing values (such as individualism and collectivism) can coexist within the Swedish cultural context.
- Citation du texte
- Lisa Maria Schmid (Auteur), 2018, The impact of culture on Swedish leadership and its implications for doing business internationally, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/430029
