This study abroad experience has been an amazing opportunity to learn first hand about Global Business. Over the last few weeks, I have come to see that understanding and adapting to a new culture is a deciding factor of the success or failure of an international company. I have seen examples of many of the concepts we have discussed in class, in addition to making some observations of my own about the culture here in Barcelona. With such a different way of life, it would be impossible to do business here in Barcelona without a sufficient understanding of the way things are done and the values held by the people here.
Language is an important part of any culture, but that is especially true here in Catalonia, the autonomous community (similar to a state) where Barcelona is located. The Catalan language, with its rich history, is a source of pride for the locals who are passionate about keeping it alive. Before this trip, I expected to be able to communicate fairly easily here with my intermediate Spanish speaking abilities. However, it quickly became obvious that Catalan is quite different from Spanish. For me, this assumption was a minor mistake, and I have been able to communicate well enough to get by. However, something like this could pose a challenge to a global firm coming to Barcelona with the same assumption. It is important for an international corporation to ensure that they can communicate easily and respectfully with the people they do business with.
I also learned about employment law here in Spain and how it differs from that of the US from Sonia Cortez, an employee of Littler Mendelson. Some noticeable differences include a 40 hour work week maximum with overtime paid by the hour, the ability for sick employees to get a month’s salary paid by the government, 16 weeks of paid maternity leave, and universal health care. These benefits are drastically different from parallel regulations in the US. However, this does mean that more money is taken out in taxes here in Spain. There are pros and cons to the ways these systems are set up in both countries, but the important thing to note is simply that they are different. This is an important aspect of global business that should always be a factor in a company’s decision to expand into a foreign market. Laws and regulations, especially those regarding employment, must be understood and followed by an international corporation in any place they do business.
In addition to the language and learning about laws specific to the country, a global business must adapt to the day to day life of a new place. One of the most obvious cultural differences I have noticed here is the difference in time orientation. Compared to the US, things in Barcelona seem to move at a leisurely pace. There is always a lurking sense of urgency back home, but that is not something I have experienced here in Barcelona. For example, when dining at a restaurant the server will not assume we are ready to leave when we have finished eating. Most locals stay for a while after their meal and chat with their group. In the US, the check is usually on the table before we’ve finished our food, and we leave pretty quickly after dining and paying. This is just one example of the more laid back, unrushed sense of time here in Spain. I have grown very fond of this relaxed atmosphere, and this is something I hope to carry with me when I go back to the US. I hope to continue living at this slow pace as much as I can, enjoying the moment I’m in and the people I’m surrounded by. Understanding this aspect of the culture would be important for a global business because it might explain some differences such as the typical number of working hours in a week or the longer and later lunch break that is common here. Success in a new market is much more likely for a company that can adjust to cultural differences such as this.
A company looking to expand internationally should strive to understand and respect the culture and bureaucracy of their host country in order to find success in a global market. I am grateful for the opportunity to experience the importance of adaptation in global business first hand, and I am looking forward to applying this experience in my future career.
