Analyzing Kuwait from Cross-Cultural Management Aspects
Mary Ann (2006) describes Kuwaitis as hospitable people and who love making business deals at a personal relationship. For this reason, business negotiation happens when there is a clear evidence for trust and friendship. Patience is inevitable as Kuwaitis will take time and if they sense a rush they ought to quit the deal; this means that meetings may be interrupted repeatedly before arriving at a consensus (“Doing business in Kuwait” 2015). Actually, when a new person visits the room, the attention may switch to that person keeping the business transaction on hold. In this regard, business etiquette is of great importance; for instance, a young person is expected to greet the older one with a handshake and men are not advised to make physical contact with women and titles should be used when addressing Kuwaitis.
Business structures are hierarchical as many companies are aligned around the family (“Doing business in Kuwait” 2015). Decisions are made from the top and the visiting business will have to work way up through the subordinates before meeting the manager. An important thing to note is that contracts may be discussed in English but written in Arabic. The week begins from Sunday to Thursday leaving Friday and Saturday as weekends. Business hours run from 8:30 am – 6:00 pm and meetings are preferred in the morning for government officials and early evening for business partners (Mary Ann, 2006). During the months of July and August most of the Kuwaitis leave the country due to the summer heat; hence, it is not an appropriate time for scheduling meetings. Lastly, business cards should also be translated in Arabic as well as other official documents.
Reference
“Doing business in Kuwait” (2015). Expat Arrivals. Retrieved from: http://www.expatarrivals.com/kuwait/doing-business-in-kuwait
Laura S. (2011).,Middle East Region in Transition: Persian Gulf States: Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates New York: Rosen Educational Services, 33–34.
Mary Ann ,T. (2006) “Kuwait,” in Encyclopedia of the Developing World, vol. 2, ed. Thomas M. Leonard New York: Routledge.