Discussion Post: Competitive Environment
Below are some examples of culture clashes between international businesses. They each have had numerous business cases written about them and ultimately either failed to work things out or failed in their efforts to merge. Choose one of the following international mergers/acquisitions:
a) In 1998, the automaker Daimler-Benz (German) merged with Chrysler Corporation (American)
b) In 2003, Business Objects (American) merged with Crystal Decisions (Canadian)
c) In 2005, the mobile phone division of Siemens (German) was purchased by BenQ (Taiwanese).
d) In 2013, the merger of advertising companies Omnicom (American) and Publicis (French)
e) In 2018, the proposed purchase of Qualcomm (American) by Broadcom (Singapore)
Using the country profiles created by the Hofstede Centre. Answer the following questions (150 words per question):
• Given Hofstede's dimensions, in what way do the cultures significantly differ? How are they similar?
• Explain in what way culture could have been the cause for the success/failure of this acquisition?
• What could have been done to eliminate/diminish the cultural clash that ensued? Be specific.
The response should include a reference list. One-inch margins, Using Times New Roman 12 pnt font, double-space and APA style of writing and citations.