Annette Julien

The Applicability of Western Management Practices in LDCs: The Indian Experience of French and German Companies Annette Julien

Diplomarbeit, die am 01.04.1997 erfolgreich an einer Studienseminar in Deutschland eingereicht wurde. Abstract: Nowadays firms have to interact on the international level to pursue their business. In doing this they might be conducted to deal with LDC firms or even establish a subsidiary in a developing country. The aim of this study is to examine to what extent Western management practices are applicable to specific LDCs environments. First the main differences between in business environment are highlighted. Then the whole lifecycle of establishing and managing a venture abroad will be discussed critically. Results are always presented in a concrete and practical form to that managers might use it as a handbook. Every organisation functions as an open system and is affected by the demographic, cultural, economic and political specificities of his surroundings Management practices are also determined by their environment. It is hence substantive to comprehend social underlying values and attitudes when dealing with colleagues and workers, as well as to grasp the reasons and dynamics of the political and economical framework. This necessity is emphasised in developing countries as brusque changes in a company's domain might have serious consequences if the management is taken unaware. To reduce environmental risks and allow a company to plan its activities it can be useful to set up an information system and become conscious of one's own cultural determination - as a first step toward cultural empathy. Some aspects of Indian management are presented as a conceptual framework for the second part, where the experience of French and Germany companies will be integrated. It may also serve as an example to follow when analysing a country's work culture. India seems to be a collectivist, feminine country with a low uncertainty avoidance and high power distance. Though this may explain the predominance of a nurturant-task leadership style, a whole multitude of...