CULTURE AND BUSINESS IN SAUDI ARABIA

1. What forces shaped modern Saudi culture? How similar or

different are these forces from those that shaped the culture of
Western nations?
Saudi culture is already shaped by Islam. Not only by religious teachings
but also they include loyalty, status, an emphasis on interpersonal
relationships. They keep the idea of approximate rather than precise time
and an aversion to any behavior that might seem menial or servile.
They have a lot of differences. For example, stores and restaurants still do
the daily prayer dictated by the Koran up the point that they close their
business.
Also the gender separation is a very persistent issue in the Saudi culture.
The fact that women still follow strict codes makes that the difference
between Western countries and Saudi culture increase. Dress codes,
separates dining areas for men and women and not allowing women to
drive a car, sail or a plane are some issues that makes even clearer that
their values and culture depend on religion.

2. What kinds of misunderstanding are likely to arise between an

American company and a Saudi enterprise, neither of which has
experience dealing with the other?
As I have said in the previous question, Western and Saudi culture are
quite strange son when doing business they dont priories prioritize the
same things.
In Saudi Arabia loyalty to friends and family play a big role in job security
and advancement whereas in the US demonstrated technical or
managerial competences are more important. Saudi executives would not
react well if a foreign company sends a junior executive to transact
business even though his knowledge is good.
Moreover, women make up a share of the labor force in America while in
Saudi they actually dont have so much freedom.
When making business between two different culture enterprises its
important that both sides are sensitive to each others values in order to
achieve effective business results.

3. If you were in a position to advise a Western company that was

considering doing business in Saudi Arabia for the first time, what
would your advice be?

The most important is to be aware of the culture and values of the country
you are making business with and to take time and learn about it in order
to avoid conflicts and misunderstandings.
In the previous example, the American country company should give up
thinking in theof time as a waste of money and should start to think about
it as an investment, as Arabian people think that is very important to build
relationship with the partners they are doing business. Also it would be a
better idea to involve man in business situations rather than women.