Independent University Bangladesh

Name: Md Abrar Jawad

ID: 1830724

Couse ID: INB 301

Section: 6

Assignment On Case Study

Answer to the question no-1

The Saudi culture is shaped mainly by its Bedouin roots. The al Saud family using an Islamic Cleric
Wahhab formed the Saudi Kingdom in 1922 by uniting all the various Bedouin clans over a period of 140
years. Their culture is basically a tribal culture with loyalty and trust for those close to oneself is the most
important factor. The tribal culture hardened by centuries of life in the harsh desert environment along
with strong Islamic values has resulted in the Saudi culture of today.
Saudi will not do any menial work. As a result 90% of the jobs in most organizations are staffed by
foreigners. Saudi did not allow women to drive or appear outdoor without a male family member as
escort. Until 1964 Saudi girls were not allowed to go to school. Thankfully this has changed and today in
Saudi one sees more girls than boys graduating from the colleges. Recently laws were changed to allow
women to start businesses in Saudi. Saudi Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal and his wife Princess Ameerah Al-
Taweel are in the forefront of the push for more rights for women. Today they have a right to vote and
even stand for some seats in parliament.

Answer to the question no-2

Western cultures have also been shaped over years of history and many cultures also have a very strong
religious base. However most western cultures are democracies today even those who have a monarch as
their titular head like Great Britain, Netherlands, Sweden and Denmark. Saudi still remains a monarchy
with the king holding most of the power, although they do have a parliament which is elected. Nonverbal
behavioral differences in kinesics may be less obvious than dress differences. How people walk, gesture,
bow, stand, or sit are all, to a large part, culturally determined. In many cases, a kinesic sign well
understood in one culture is totally unknown in another culture. In Indonesia and in much of the Arab
world, for example, it is offensive to show the soles of one's feet to another. This often clashes with
behavior in the United States where foot-crossing is common with no attention to where one's sole points.

Answer to the question no-3

Some of the tips for doing first time business in Saudi Arab are

 All aspects of life in Saudi are governed by an absolute belief in the teachings of Islam and an
adherence to its tenets. No business deal will ever be discussed without reference to the Almighty
and His Prophet Mohammed.It goes without saying that the utmost respect must be given to such
devoutly held religious beliefs and accommodations made to allow people to observe religious
rituals of prayer and fasting

 Business is usually family-based with all senior positions filled by family members. Nepotism is
the natural order of things and not something that needs to be explained to visitors.This family-
orientation leads naturally to the development of strong hierarchies with the oldest male relatives
being at the head of the organisation.

 Age is worthy of respect and honourable visitors will display respect to older people - therefore it
is good to have some older heads amongst any delegation going to Saudi.Try to find out the
relationship tree of any company you wish to do business with. Power may not reside with a
functional head if that head is not a family member or has poor relationships at the top.

 Managers tend to lead through instruction and subordinates are not expected to show initiative. If
is not requested, it may not get done.Meetings can involve sitting in rooms with unknown people
who are simultaneously meeting your contact. In effect, several meetings may take place at the
same time. Initial meetings can be very time-consuming and appear to deliver very little in terms
of tangible returns.