Lessons for American companies in adapting to local cultures: a case study of EDS in Bahrain

Hussain, Jassim (2010) Lessons for American companies in adapting to local cultures: a case study of EDS in Bahrain. Doctoral thesis, Northumbria University.

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Abstract

This research focuses on American companies operating in Bahrain, employing Bahrainis whose national culture governs their daily routine. Making EDS a case study, this research explores the conflicts that arise at the work place when organisational culture encounters national culture and customs. Even with extensive globalization, particularly in the Middle East, there is a lack of research exploring the influence of national culture on the local employees, the impact of national culture of host countries on the operations of multinational companies or guidelines for American companies to follow while venturing to set up business in Bahrain. This research follows a social constructionist paradigm, utilizing reflexive qualitative interviews conducted with EDS managers and EDS local employees, analysed through template analysis, to explain complex social processes which govern the national culture and the conflicts created when organisational culture is imposed upon the local employees. The findings of this research offer a holistic picture of the previously unrecognized alienation and resentment that arises when organisational culture is imposed on the local work force in Bahrain, without understanding the cultural influences that define them. The study discovered that American companies should create an awareness and understanding in their expatriate managers about the national culture and the impact of organisational culture on the local workforce already governed by their own national culture. The thesis offers guidelines to the local government policy makers to develop practice based training for local employees to meet the challenges of working in a multinational company. The research bridges the gap in perceptions between the local employees and American companies, thus paving the way to mutually beneficial working relationships. Finally the thesis develops a practice based framework by integrating influencing factors into policy making process, thus providing a practical guide to American companies setting out to do business in the Middle East, as well as to local governments in the Middle East.

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