Many issues arise when doing business globally.
While the rise of globalization, cross-cultural exchange has flourished, with businesses now doing more trade and production overseas than ever before. With this new meeting of nations and people, a number of issues arise relating to the different cultural norms and laws of different societies. A skillful navigation of these issues is necessary for success in global business.
Language
While English continues to be the international language of business, this does not mean that everyone speaks it. When doing business abroad, it's critical to be able to be fluent in the native tongue, both for reasons of etiquette and to better supervise the work of foreign partners. Additionally, any attempt to enter foreign markets demands that the producer know the language of its consumer.
Religion
A knowledge of religious practices is critical to operating abroad. In 2004, McDonald's tarred its own reputation in the Muslim world when it printed the Saudi Arabian flag on several takeout containers. The flag contains a verse from the Koran, which, Muslims believe, should never never be placed on an object that is intended to be thrown out. Similarly, with regard to labor, a company owner in Israel should know that Orthodox Jews don't work on Shabbas, while a floor manager in a factory in the Islamic world should factor into his production schedule the fact that many of his workers will be stopping several times a day to pray.
Gender
Gender plays an important role in global business both in regard to hiring labor and selling products to consumers. The tasks that women and men can be expected to perform differs from society to society. While in the United States women are expected to do many of the same jobs as men, in a number of African nations, the work of women is confined to very specific roles, meaning that they may not make an appropriate labor force. With regard to consumers, businesses should be aware of what products women in different countries would and would not be likely to buy. For example, a company should only attempt to sell razors to females in countries in which women habitually shave their legs.
Human Rights
In doing business abroad, companies must consider a host of ethical questions relating to human rights. Human rights issues take many different forms in global business. These issues can range from the standards applied to working conditions--minimum wage, hours, safety--to the question of whether a business, by doing business in a particular country, is aiding an unethical government.
