Business Explain: Cultural Dynamics in International Marketing

What are cultural exclusives?

Cultural exclusives are those customs or behaviour patterns reserved exclusively for the local people, from which the foreigner is excluded.

What is cultural adiaphora?

Cultural adiaphora refers to areas of behaviour or customs that cultural aliens may wish to conform to or participate in.

What is meant by cultural imperative?

Cultural imperatives are business customs and expectations that must be met and conformed to if relationships are to be successful.

What are the requisites for cultural adaptation?

The requirement for adaptation is mainly to have an awareness of the local customs and be willing to accommodate those differences that can cause misunderstanding. Cultural imperative, communication emphasis and the meaning of time is included here.

As well as high-and low-context culture (low-context means getting down to business quickly, whereas high-context requires more time for conducting business).

How can resistance to cultural change influence product introduction? Similarities to domestic marketing?

Ethnocentrism refers to when we behave in an ethnocentric way, meaning there is an exaggerated tendency to believe our own values/norms/culture are superior to those of others. It is a concept which complicates the process of cultural assimilation.

With the resistance in mind, there are two ways for marketers to introduce an innovation. Either one waits for the right moment, or one enters and causes an immediate change in culture. Cultural change can occur if a innovation has advantages, but requires a culture to learn new ways to benefit from these advantages.

How are cultures dynamic? Is it good or bad?

Culture is dynamic in nature, since it changes over time due to new innovation, changes in life quality and such. However, any change in the currently accepted way of life meets with more initial resistance than acceptance. Many solutions have arisen from accidents, and some from innovation. Many are the result of cultural borrowing, which is common to all cultures.