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    Doing Business in Egypt - Intercultural Communication

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    Rocsana M. Rațiu
    Doing business in Egypt requires understanding Egyptian culture and business practices. Egyptian business has both secular and religious influences, and companies are categorized as either Islamic or non-Islamic. It is beneficial to have an Egyptian agent to help navigate the social aspects of business which are very important. Business meetings follow certain etiquette like punctuality not being a high priority, conservative dress codes, and not discussing female family members. Decision making is a consultative process without delegating final authority, and maintaining relationships and hierarchies is valued over individual roles. Women play a less significant role in business, and cultural norms like indirect communication styles and collectivism influence the work environment.

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    Doing Business in Egypt - Intercultural Communication

    Uploaded by

    Rocsana M. Rațiu
    68 views15 pages
    Doing business in Egypt requires understanding Egyptian culture and business practices. Egyptian business has both secular and religious influences, and companies are categorized as either Islamic or non-Islamic. It is beneficial to have an Egyptian agent to help navigate the social aspects of business which are very important. Business meetings follow certain etiquette like punctuality not being a high priority, conservative dress codes, and not discussing female family members. Decision making is a consultative process without delegating final authority, and maintaining relationships and hierarchies is valued over individual roles. Women play a less significant role in business, and cultural norms like indirect communication styles and collectivism influence the work environment.

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    knowing certain customs could help you land a business deal. here is the case of egypt

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    Doing business in Egypt requires understanding Egyptian culture and business practices. Egyptian business has both secular and religious influences, and companies are categorized as either Islamic or non-Islamic. It is beneficial to have an Egyptian agent to help navigate the social aspects of business which are very important. Business meetings follow certain etiquette like punctuality not being a high priority, conservative dress codes, and not discussing female family members. Decision making is a consultative process without delegating final authority, and maintaining relationships and hierarchies is valued over individual roles. Women play a less significant role in business, and cultural norms like indirect communication styles and collectivism influence the work environment.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pptx, pdf, or txt
    68 views15 pages

    Doing Business in Egypt - Intercultural Communication

    Uploaded by

    Rocsana M. Rațiu
    Doing business in Egypt requires understanding Egyptian culture and business practices. Egyptian business has both secular and religious influences, and companies are categorized as either Islamic or non-Islamic. It is beneficial to have an Egyptian agent to help navigate the social aspects of business which are very important. Business meetings follow certain etiquette like punctuality not being a high priority, conservative dress codes, and not discussing female family members. Decision making is a consultative process without delegating final authority, and maintaining relationships and hierarchies is valued over individual roles. Women play a less significant role in business, and cultural norms like indirect communication styles and collectivism influence the work environment.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pptx, pdf, or txt
    of 15

    EGYPT

    Doing Business in Egypt


    culture, customs and etiquette

    Background to Business in Egypt

    Has both a secular and religious


    state
    The past couple of decades have
    seen the proliferation of largerscale private companies
    Companies fall into the category of
    either Islamic or non-Islamic in
    orientation

    Business Mentality
    It is useful to have anEgyptian agentdo to
    business
    The social side of business is very important
    Business is hierarchical
    Decisions are reached after great deliberation
    Negotiating techniques - no high-pressure tactics
    Business moves at a slow pace
    A typical business day is usually from 8:00 am to
    2:00 pm in the summer and 9:00 am to 1:00 pm
    with an extra 5:00 to 7:00 pm in the winter.
    No business is conducted on Friday

    Greetings and
    The Art of Conversation
    There are plentygreetingstylesin Egypt - safest to
    wait for your counterpart to initiate the greeting
    When addressing you shoulduse their title
    followed by their surnameuntil invited to do
    otherwise
    Advisable to have anEgyptian representativeto
    explain the major points of your business in Arabic
    If voices are raised - it is not an argument
    Welcomed topicsof conversation include Egyptian
    achievements
    Arabic conversation can be very hyperbolic
    Avoid inquiring about the female members of their
    family

    Business meetings and meals


    Punctualityin Egypt is not considered the
    main priority
    Business cardsshould be printed in
    English on one side and in Arabic on the
    other
    Presents are welcomed - give or receive
    them using the right hand or with both
    hands never with the left.
    Business meals: string Muslims will not
    touch alcohol or pork

    Body Language
    Makeeye-contactwhen meeting
    with your Egyptian business
    associates sign of honesty and trust
    Arab men usuallywalk hand in
    hand
    The left handis considered unclean
    in Egypt
    Do not cross your legswhen
    sitting, also, showing the bottom of
    your foot is considered offensive.

    Egyptian Management Style


    The approach -'managing authority
    consultatively, the need for discussion without any
    loss of perceived status or power.
    Egyptian managers will consult widely with
    colleagues but will make the final, firm
    authoritative decision
    Decision will rarely, if ever, be delegated to a
    subordinate
    Subordinates are expected to follow decisions to the
    letter. Dispute or criticism are not expected or
    appreciated.
    Cautious without taking too many risks decision
    making can seem slow

    Egyptian Team working


    Teams revolve around a strong
    leader who usually allocates tasks
    rather than specific roles or functions
    Individuals expect direct access to
    and feedback from the leader
    Teams are more a grouping of
    individuals working
    independently towards a common
    objective
    Many private companies are family-

    Women in Business and


    dress code
    Women play a much less significant
    role in business life
    Dealing with women in business a
    respectful, professional distance is
    required
    Business attire - conservative,
    modest and formal
    No native attire - might be considered
    offensive.

    Geert Hofstede Analysis for Egypt


    Identical to other Arab countries Muslim faith plays a significant role
    in the peoples lives.
    Large power distance and
    uncertainty avoidance - the
    predominant characteristics for this
    region:
    More likely to follow a caste
    system
    Highly rule-oriented in order to
    reduce the amount of uncertainty

    Geert Hofstede Analysis for Egypt

    Geert Hofstede Analysis for Egypt


    Power Distance (PDI)
    high level of inequality of power and wealth
    expectation and acceptance that leaders will
    separate themselves from the group
    Uncertainty Avoidance Index (UAI)
    societys low level of tolerance for uncertainty
    The ultimate goal is to control everything
    Masculinity index (MAS)
    women in the Arab World are limited in their
    rights, due more to Muslim religion rather than a
    cultural paradigm
    Individualism (IDV)
    Collectivist society loyality

    Arabic and English Comparisons


    High-context and low context:
    Arab culture is high-context - burden of
    meaning falls on the listener
    American culture is low-context burden of meaning falls on the speaker
    Indirect and direct :
    Arabic culture is indirect
    American is direct
    Doing and being :
    Arab culture is being-focused
    American culture is doing-oriented

    Bibliography
    1. http://www.worldbusinessculture.com/Busin
    ess-Facts-and-Figures-on-Egypt.html
    2. http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/
    global-etiquette/egypt-country-profile.html
    3. http://www.todaytranslations.com/countries
    /doing-business-in-egypt/
    4. http://www.cyborlink.com/besite/egypt.htm
    5. Zaharna, R.S. (1995), Bridging cultural
    differences: American public relations
    practices and Arab communication
    patterns. In Public Relations Review, 21,
    241-255

    Thank you!

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