Global Business Cultural Analysis: Singapore

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Buddhism is based on the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama around 560 B. C. In Singapore, it is linked to Taoism and Confucianism which teaches how to attain self-development through the flow of natural processes and balance within the Universe (Satterlee, 2010, pp. 46-47).

Christianity is the teachings based on Jesus Christ of Nazareth which is the central figure in this religion. The bible is the sole holy text and followers of this religion believe that the foretold Savior Jesus Christ will return to take them to his Kingdom in Heaven (Satterlee, 2010, p. 43).

Muslim or Islam is a part of the Malay community (Vaish, 2008, p. 452). Its teachings are based on the Qur’an (Koran) and include the aspects of faith and duty. There are five main doctrines or articles of Islam as well as the five pillars of faith that Muslims are expected to believe and duties that must be performed (Satterlee, 2010, pp. 44-45).

Ethics

These are standards or beliefs that a person has adopted and serves as the foundation for how they live their life. Corporate social responsibility and Confucian ethics both play a crucial part on how Singaporeans carry out a proper and better livelihood and establishing good relationships (Low & Ang, 2013, p. 32).

Corporate social responsibility. According to Low and Ang (2013), it is a natural function that stresses a commitment to give back to the community by improving quality of life (pp. 33-34). Within corporate social responsibility, governance and leadership are the two of many concepts that greatly impacts not only business processes but society as a whole. Leadership is the visible depiction of the behavioral styles and are the primary formers of the organizational cultures; whereas governance are the rules that link the society together and are associated with good civil rights and transparency (Low, 2011, p. 13; Low & Ang, 2013, pp. 32-33).

Confucian ethics. These are core beliefs or values that encourage people to attain good values and create positive energies in order to have a peaceful and harmonious society (Low & Ang, 2013, p 32). Additionally, an individual who embrace these ethics values brotherhood and believe in becoming part of a community vices a person of individualistic concept.

Many organizational priorities encompass Confucian ethics which include a teamwork atmosphere (brotherhood) where everyone has collective value and pull. Examples of Confucian ethics are loyalty, politeness, benevolence, and perseverance.

Confucian perspectives. These are shared values that are meant to be adopted by all Singaporeans regardless of ethnicity, religion, and other differences. According to Tan (2010), the vision of self as the individual is transformed into an individual who is socially embedded because the perspectives focuses on society, community, family, consensus, and harmony (p. 459).

Values and Attitudes

Values are known to be beliefs that a culture has of what is right and wrong; whereas attitudes are the exhibition of various values, feelings, states of minds, and beliefs that are held in certain levels of esteem (high, medium, or low). Singaporeans considers resilience and corruption prevention are very important parts of the cultural identity.

Resilience. This is one of the key values held by Singapore’s inhabitants. Singapore has not always been an economically successful nation. According to Siddiqui (2010), there were various economic failures that led to the government’s inability to provide sufficient capital to invest in the economy as well as the infrastructure (p. 4). Singaporeans believe that they are resilient because they always rise readily again upon being depressed. According to Cheng (2007), Singaporeans are a tough people and do not take direct, open or uncalculated risks because they do their homework before plunging (p. 139).

Corruption. According to the Economic Development Board (EDB) (n.d.), corruption is minimized by government imposed strict laws and transparency is valued highly making Singapore the least corrupt country behind New Zealand and Finland. Additionally, the curbing of corruption has been countless efforts of the Internal Security Department, the Criminal Record Office, and the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau CPIB who ensure that existing good rules are; (1) strictly enforced, (2) strongly supported by political leaders, (3) easy to follow, (4) voluntarily complied, and (5) supported by a majority in the economy (Choon-Yin, 2005, 59-60).

Social Structures

Singapore’s social structures emphasize the patterned relationship between the various inhabitants. Family, gender roles, and government all play a role in shaping the Singapore’s society as a whole and how they interact.

Family. This includes close friends in addition to the biological connections and extended family ties, is the center of social structure because it emphasizes unity loyalty and respect.

Gender roles. According to Suratman (2011), women are playing a more dominant role in the employment sectors especially in the Malay community (p. 90). Additionally, the division of labour in the households has increased due to the Malay households becoming dual-income.

Government. Political stability is highly emphasized and a priority value in Singapore. “The government provides the systems, the roads, and all the necessary amenities and within the organization” (Low, 2011, p. 27).

Singapore’s government, the People’s Action Party (PAP), highly values and believes in economic stability because of their openness to economic globalization. Their government has been proactive in opening doors for businesses through bi-lateral and multi-lateral initiatives. According to Chong (2006), the government has not only mediated external influences and pressures on the local businesses; they have succeeded in negotiated in global forces (p. 279).

How are these elements and dimensions integrated by locals conducting business in Singapore?

According to Satterlee (2009), “they impact decision making, negotiations, and ongoing operations critical to long-term success” (p. 40). When these cultural elements are applied in the organization, economic growth can be expected from them.

Communication and diversity

Although many organizations value diversity through education and removing barriers, communication is the most difficult barrier to overcome. According to Tran and Skitmore (2012), intercultural communication complications