International Negotiations and Culture

This essay primarily deals with how to handle across border negotiations. Its purpose is fourfold. First, it requires identification of a country, and then draws a list of the country’s cultural aspects. Second, it will also provide assumptions about the country, as well as reasons and source of information for choosing the assumptions. Furthermore, the variation in culture between the native and the chosen country is looked at to secure the difference. Lastly, it will provide a description of the negotiation process, as well as the factors to be considered during negotiation in order to approach the transaction efficiently and professionally.

The flow of international negotiation is affected by the cultural differences between the two negotiating partners. Countries with a great cultural similarity are likely to engage in negotiations in comparison to those countries that have a greater cultural distance.  In this case, the country to be considered is Australia. In Australia, business relationships and respect act as a precondition for initiating an interaction process. The other aspect is communication, and normally Australian communication style is different with some few rules (Cellich & Jain, 2012). In addition, Australians believe on information sharing, and the pace of negotiation should be faster.

A negotiation with Australia is likely to be easy and faster since there is cultural similarity. There process of negotiation is simple and straightforward. On the same note, business practices as well as government procedures set in place to guide negotiations are simple and less bureaucratic. Again, Australians are good in socializing, maintaining business etiquette, as well as relationship builders.

Australian negotiation culture differs from American culture since Americans belief that a superior individual as opposed to a committee should conduct negotiation. Furthermore, Americans believe that loyalty is less important, and that results should be given priority more than good relations. On the other hand, Australians have equality in negotiation; they are more informal, as well as focusing on both the present and the future (Cellich & Jain, 2004).

The cultural values that will be considered during the negotiation process include: loyalty, respect, fast communication, modesty, individual and quick decision making, among others. It will be necessary to adapt to these cultural values in order to make the process of negotiation a success. In order to adapt to these values it will require practice, and initial interactions, as well. Furthermore, knowledge of business and economic conditions is mandatory to make the transaction process logical and faster. Choosing a negotiation language coupled with prior training will also be necessary. Training will facilitate interaction with other managers from different cultures; hence ensuring a successful negotiation process (Starkey & Boyer, 2010).

The approach of the negotiation process will be different since there is a difference in cultures. The process of negotiation should be initiated by building relationships first, and by the creating a negotiation environment that provide an equal opportunity for the negotiators. Cultural values and settings will be considered during the process of negotiation in order to accommodate the needs of the parties involved. Professional experiences should guide the process, though adjustment will be necessary in order to capture any development during negotiation.

The factors of negotiation that will be considered differently include: listening skills, cultural sensitivities, orientation towards people, as well as people-oriented personality. In addition, respect, honesty, personal integrity, and personal traits are some of the business relationship factors that should be considered during an international negotiation process (Nikolaev, 2007).

In conclusion, the best ethical practices should be adopted in any business in order to safeguard the interest of the parties involved. In an international context, people have a range of preferences, values, interests, goals, ideals, and conceptions. Each creates society conflict among people and cultures and as such, enshrinement of pluralism in the negotiation process seeks to ensure that all spheres and commitments of the people are equally met.