Radisson Blu SkyCity Hotel Stockholm-Arlanda Arlanda Airport, P.O. Box 82 190 45 Stockholm, Ms.

Kitty Cheung Flat B, 50/F Tower 1, Sorrento, TST, KLN Hong Kong 2nd May, 2011 Dear Ms. Cheung At first, we would like to thanks and welcome you to join our Front Office Department. We know that you are powerful person that we sure that you have enough knowledge to lead our team be a most successful hotel in Stockholm. We know that is difficult to make decision working in Stockholm since here is different between Hong Kong. In case to let you understand more about our country, we are here to take the opportunity in introduce you some relative information and it may have different with your home country. In this document, we will analysis three potential communication barriers regarding the city that might be useful and have opportunities to know its behavior and culture such as culture dimensions - hofstede, business etiquette and woman at work. We hope those factors will guide you have successful career in here. We are looking forward to be your colleague and work with you. If you have any questions about this please do not hesitate to contact us and we are willing to be of assist you. Best Regards,

Amy Ng Ching Ying Manager of Room Division

Intercultural Communication CW 2 Individual Report

Location: Stockholm

Prepared For:

Mr. Stephan Earnhart

Prepared by:

Ching Ying Ng, Amy (3H2)

Module:

HM 302

Date:

20th May 2011

Table of Content
Stockholm ...................................................................................................................... 3 Introduction ............................................................................................................ 3 Life Style ................................................................................................................ 3 Education ............................................................................................................... 3 Cultural Dimensions Hofstede .................................................................................... 4 Power Distance ...................................................................................................... 4 Individualism ......................................................................................................... 5 Uncertainty Avoidance ........................................................................................... 5 Masculinity ............................................................................................................ 6 Long-term Orientation ........................................................................................... 6 Stereotyping ................................................................................................................... 7 Safety ..................................................................................................................... 7 Language ................................................................................................................ 7 Food Customs ........................................................................................................ 7 Public Holidays ...................................................................................................... 8 Etiquette ......................................................................................................................... 9 Introduction ............................................................................................................ 9 Communication ...................................................................................................... 9 Meetings and Negotiations .................................................................................... 9 Recommendations ........................................................ Error! Bookmark not defined. References .................................................................................................................... 11

Stockholm
Introduction Stockholm is the largest city and also is the capital of Sweden. In early 13th century, Stockholm has grown and emerged as a thriving, modern European city the exudes confidence at all levels, be they financial, cultural, social or gastronomic. (Columbus Travel Media Ltd., 2011). Especially have powerful in industries and financial part which is the top of the North Europe. Most of the citizen has strongly English ability thats why there have many multinational corporation company located in Stockholm. This place has very high efficiency, stable political system, well-educated, dedicated and possessed vision of the labor force. As a market, the rapid development of Stockholm has become an important hub for the Baltic region and also in the European market.

Life Style The Swedish people are much enjoyed and like of their simple lifestyle thus they do like too magnificent and they like to share as well. Swedes have a concept is live by Logom which is mean they dont expect too much and just enough thing for their life is good.

Education Education is very important in Sweden which is same as Hong Kong. Both of the governments provide free education until secondary school and they are compulsory. The Swedish people are having high education, because the government has strongly support to most of the universities and college thus this benefit only for local people.

Cultural Dimensions Hofstede

According to Hofstede (1991), Swedens cultural behaviors can be separate to 5 parts of characteristic dimensions and due to those cultural dimensions will represent you what is their cultural environment at this area and it is useful for you to gain more knowledge and understand more cultural about this place. The following table is going to show the score of Hofstede in Sweden, Hong Kong and also compare the score of world average: Region Sweden Hong Kong World Average Power Distance 31 68 57 Individualism 71 25 44 Uncertainty Avoidance 29 29 65 Masculinity 5 57 49 Long-term Orientation 22 96 46

Table 1. The 5 model of professor Greet Hofstede

Power Distance Compares to Hong Kong and World Average, Sweden have lower power distance index which is 31 that mean it has a low power distance culture. For example when Swedish people need to make decision then they will tend to be democracy and the consultation, and they only accept equally and their culture is non-heresy whatever in large or small company. As mention before their concept is Logom, when they introduce themself will use the normal way and they prefer to call someones last name instead of the full name. In business environment, different levels of employees are very respecting each other. Especially manager and supervisors level they want to make sure is equally and fair for every employee. And Hong Kong is totally difference in business environment, for example, most of manager and supervisors level they cant do the something like Sweden because they only use their own feeling
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to respect the people and it is not equally and fair.

Individualism Compare with world average 40 and Hong Kong is 25 and the individualism of Sweden index is 71, it means Sweden have a high individualism index. As they are individualistic, everyone is cheered to stand out, be distinctive, express and do their own thing by themselves. Also they have individual right to ensure independence, choice and freedom of speech. In the society, they usually make a deal than building long-term relationships. As they form large number of looser relationships and they are less focus on group. In the business environment, they negotiations are small in numbers. Some of them are selfish as they are looking for personal gains and give emphasis to personal achievement at the expense of group goals. As the result, it forms in a strong common sense of competition. Hong Kong loyalty to the collectivist culture is essential. Foster good community relations, everyone needs the responsibility for other members of their groups.

Uncertainty Avoidance Compare with world average 65, the uncertainty avoidance index of Hong Kong and Sweden are same which is 29, it means Sweden and Hong Kong have a low uncertainty avoidance index. Sweden is not very emotion and rely less on rules; they like to be more flexibility and pragmatism, in the business, they are willing to accept changes and they dare to take risk in their business, they always have different opinions. On the other hand, Hong Kong has many different cultures within this city and also have many ideas can come together; they will not accept uncertain things and have a freedom to give opinion.

Masculinity Compare with world average 48, Hong Kong is 57 and the masculinity index of Sweden is 5, it means Sweden has a low masculinity index. There are a lot of differentiation & discrimination in society and power structure, they think men and women should be equal, and also, their country has a long history of equal between genders. In the business & society, Swedish treat that as a collaboration rather than competition and there is no difference when dealing with male and female. Moreover, they prefer to have flexible working hours and long vacation. For example: have a person in Sweden, he mentioned about he got 18 months parental leave and he is not unemployed, one of the welfare in Sweden is you still get paid during the leave.

Long-term Orientation Compare with world average 52, Hong Kong is 96 and the long term orientation index of Sweden is 40, it means Sweden have a low long term orientation index as we can also called short term orientation. They are open to change their ways and respect others. Hong Kong is a long-term orientation city, because according to Asian cultures show that the social dimension of time perspective, attitude and perseverance. In Social life, the relationship begins and ends with the negotiation and the Swedish behave in general is being very focused on reaching a result which means the truth.

Stereotyping
Safety Stockholm is a very safety city for visitors and workers. There is no need to avoid certain areas or what kind of transportation. Sergels Torg is a well-known social place which is drug transaction place, when you pass by dont afraid because will not threat your safety. As usual, like Hong Kong low crime rate does mean no crime, so you should keep always vigilant and avoid go the darkest and back streets and tunnel. Do not leave valuables things in the car or in the locker room and remember looking at your package in a crowded place. Most of the store and shop are accepting credit and debit card so that no need to bring larger amounts of cash with you.

Language Swedish is the first language in Stockholm. As mention before, Swedish people have very high education thus most of them can speak fluent English which the almost the same compare to Hong Kong. Therefore, you wont worry about cannot communication with the local person.

Food Customs Buffet is very popular and famous in Stockholm, have many different kind of food, like cheeses, salad, meat, fish and etc. They always have buffet in Christmas, Easter, Midsummer, wedding banquet and other celebration. Fish is the main food for Swedish diet and the other common food include sausage, cheese, root vegetables, potatoes and etc. Our hotel will provide meal as buffet in your working day in the staff canteen and it is quite similar what Hong Kong hotels do something.
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Public Holidays Stockholm has 13 public holidays. As you know, hospitality industry is non-stops operating business and hotel cannot promise you have day off on those days but can promise you can give your holidays later on. And our hotel has offer double paid on public holiday thus we need more staff to run hotel in busy holidays.

Etiquette
Introduction The very important thing is first impression because people will decide when you arrive in first day. Please be attention, you must according to our hotels appearance standard to show that you are professional and which is necessary. Be well preparation before you work in our team, for example introduce yourself before the team with eye contact and confidence. Working in Stockholm is different because there are small gap between managers and employees compares to Hong Kong, but as we mention before the Swedish people are very direct, if you did something wrong they will adjust you immediately.

Communication During the business trip, the Swedish people are formal dressing when they show up and will use the formal or academic title to call the person. They are very straight forward and use direct method to tell you what they want and need, so do not try to guess what they say. And never interrupt other when they are talking or concentrate on their own work.

Meetings and Negotiations Swedish people use 24 hour clock format to making appointment to reduce the misunderstanding and they will not cancel the meeting at the last minute. If they are late, they will call and explain what happen. Before start the meeting, will shake hands with everyone and leaving the meeting as well. And remember standing until someone invites you to sit down. At last, must follow up the meeting through e-mail or mail with all agreement.
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Conclusion
To sum up, this report included some information which is the basic data of Stockholm culture. For example like Hofstede dimension, stereotyping and business etiquette which is important information for working in Stockholm.

Stockholm has low distance index regarding form Hofstede Dimension Cultural. This is the reason why they have equality the level within the society and equal treatment in their organization as well. Stockholm is the place which is punctuality and have very well organized within the business environment provide sense of time and productivity as the most fundamental values.

Overall working in Stockholm is a litter bit different compare working in Hong Kong, and you should respect and accept the culture different. This report could be helpful for you to understand Stockholm and within short period, and hold you have successful career in Stockholm and have enjoy your life in here.

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References
Columbus Travel Media Ltd. (2011) World Travel Guide History [Internet] Available form: <http://www.worldtravelguide.net/stockholm/history-and-culture> [Accessed 3 May 2011] Greet-Hofstede (1991) itmi International Hosfstede [Inertnet] Available form: <http://www.geert-hofstede.com/hofstede_sweden.shtml> [Accessed 3 May 2011] Baidu (2011) Baidu Stockholm culture [Inernet] Available <http://baike.baidu.com/view/1309706.htm> [Accessed 3 May 2011] form:

Earthy Family (2010) Earthy Family Stockholm culture [Internet] Available form: <http://www.earthyfamily.com/S-Culture.htm> [Accessed 3 May 2011] Every Culture (2011) Every Culture Stockholm culture [Internet] Available form: <http://www.everyculture.com/Sa-Th/Sweden.html [Accessed 4 May 2011]

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