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Colombia

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Environmental, Institutional, and Cultural Context of Colombia
Michael N. Yuede Missouri State University

Abstract
This paper studies the Colombian culture and how it affects business relations. First, the Colombian country is explored, examining the geographical location and environment, demographics, economy, religion, and the historical, legal and ethical, and social context. Geert Hofstede’s, Fons Trompenaars’, and GLOBE’s models of national culture infer ways to behave in any given culture, and in this case, Colombia. Differences can be seen between the United States’ and Colombia’s culture after exploring the models, suggesting ways to adapt to the new culture and act appropriately in a business environment. After studying the models, the cultural descriptions and aspects, including Colombia’s collectivistic and high power distance nature, give future managers and expatriates the implications necessary to become legitimized in the eyes of other businesses and the government. Additionally, the implications help predict employee behaviors and motivators, as well as human resource management policies that should be implemented into the business. However, in order to fully understand the Colombian culture, an individual must live in that country for a period of time to experience the culture first hand.

Environmental, Institutional, and Cultural Context of Colombia
In order to better understand how to interact in a business environment in Colombia, it is important to know about the country itself, its history, and past and current events that play key roles in shaping the overall culture. Since cultures differ greatly across the world, managers and expatriates must research the culture they are entering in, as well as their home country to see the differences among the two. Small details within the culture can be overlooked and result in a failed

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