Research Project

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Source: "Geert Hofstede." The Hofstede Centre. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 May 2017.

- Hofstede individualism score vs. U.S. explain meaning

Answer: France has a higher individualism score of 71 where the United States has a very high score of 91 (Geert Hofstede). Both France and the United States teach their children to be independent individuals that are not dependent on their parents. France is actually very unique in comparison to other countries because they have both a high power distance score and a high individualism score. This combination is only found in two other countries (Geert Hofstede). Having a high power distance score and having a high individualism score creates a contradiction. The French teach their children to be independent but they also have control over their children for longer in their lives. This just means that the French have a greater respect for the elderly in comparison to other countries like the United States.

Source: "Geert Hofstede." The Hofstede Centre. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 May 2017.

- Hofstede M/F score vs. U.S. explain meaning

Answer: France has a score of 43 which means they have a fairly feminine cultural at a upper class level and masculine at the middle class level, but the United States has an all over masculinity score of 63 (Geert Hofstede). France having a slightly lower score means that society as a whole care about the well-being of others which translates to a 35-hour work week (Geert Hofstede). In contrast of the feminine cultural the United States is an all in type of cultural. This means that winner takes all and there is very little concern for the greater good or the others that a person beats out.

Source: "Geert Hofstede." The Hofstede Centre. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 May 2017.

- Hofstede LT/ST score vs. U.S. explain meaning

Answer: France has a high score of 63 and the United States is at a very low score of 26 (Geert Hofstede). A high score means that France is willing to sacrifice some of their traditions to deal with problems that could arise in the future. The United States, with a very low score, is unlikely to sacrifice traditions or anything like that to deal with problems. A high score makes France pragmatic and the United States normative with a very low score (Geert Hofstede). The French being pragmatic means that they do not see situations as “black and white” as Americans do. Americans see problems or political situation like abortion or sexism as a good versus evil issue.

Source: "Geert Hofstede." The Hofstede Centre. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 May 2017.

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Part II

- What is the current status of your chosen country in the world marketplace? Support your answer with research.

Answer:

France is one of the oldest markets in history and has an incredible influence throughout the world. “France today is a democracy with a separation of power falling between executive, legislative and judicial branches of government” (U.S. News). The World Bank currently classifies France as a high income and wealthy country that citizens rely on the government to provide retirement, pensions, social services, and education to all of their citizens (U.S. News). The French economy is the sixth largest in the world which is comprised of both private enterprise with government ownership allowing for the both the government and private enterprise to work together in perfect unison (EconomyWatch). This makes for a highly functioning system.

France is comprised of a free market system (EconomyWatch). In having a free market structure in combination with the government and private enterprise working together the French enjoy low poverty rates, low income inequality, and social services that are the largest in the world (U.S. News). France is considered to be 66.1% free and ranks among 26th out of 41 for the freest European economies (EconomyWatch). The downfall of the French economy is that they fail to be as productive per capita. This is due to the number of the population that is actually engaged in the workforce (EconomyWatch).

Sources: "France Ranks Among the World's Best Countries." U.S. News & World Report. U.S. News & World Report, n.d. Web. 24 May 2017.

EconomyWatch. "France Market, Market Of France." France Market, Market Of France. World Markets, 23 Nov. 10. Web. 24 May 2017.

- What is the ease of doing business in your chosen country? Support your answer.

Answer:

France has an overall rank in ease of doing business at 29. A rank of 29 is an average of many categories from starting a business, paying taxes, registering a property, and many others to get the rank of 29 (World Bank Group). France has many opportunities to expand in the world economy and on the home front. Ease of doing business in France is fairly low meaning that France is conducive for conducting business. Many countries have specific customs that a person conducting business must adhere to. France there are not as many customs or traditions that must be adhered to conduct everyday business.

Starting a business in France is 27 which is fairly low. Compared to the United States, which is at 51, it is much easier. In France there are just five easy steps, but in the United States there are six extensive steps that require more funds to be paid in fees and such than in France (World Bank Group). Although the United States ranks overall at only 8 and France at 29, the U.S. has many more federal regulations that must have forms filled and such for everyday business doings. This creates more work for everyday business. The reason that the U.S. is ranked so far above France is because in the United States it is much easier to build credit which they are ranked second out of all 190 countries included in the ranking (World Bank Group).

Source: "Doing Business." Doing Business in France - World Bank Group. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 May 2017.

- Are other countries wanting to invest in your chosen country? Why or why not? Support your answer.

Answer:

Many