Chapter 8: Culture & International Business
8.1 CUSTOMS AND CULTURE
Pg 246- 251
A nation’s laws, language, technology, art, music, and literature define its culture.
The social habits and traditional behaviors of people (ex: food, clothing) are the customs
of people.
These factors play a huge part when trading internationally. To avoid loss in business,
countries must study each other’s culture. In order to truly understand, you must learn
about how the culture is developed. There are three cultural determinants: geography,
history and religion.
Geography
Canada’s land mass is 9 976 140 km squared, making it the worlds second largest
country geographically after Russia. Canada has the longest coastline of any country
(Atlantic, Pacific, and Arctic) Canada has 6 different time zones. Due to our harsh
climate only 12% of Canada’s land is suitable for agriculture.
Comparing Canada’s geographic features with Japan, we can see a number of things.
Japan is really a group of islands, and its slightly bigger then Brittan’s. With a land mass
of only 337 733km squared this nation has 123 million people (which is four times the
size of Canada). Since Japan has so many mountains only 15 percent of the total land
mass is suitable for agricultural production. The mountains are used as a source of
energy for Japan because they produce hydroelectric power and also serve a source of
water irrigation.
Japan is located in the primarily in the northern template zone. The geographic features
of Canada shaped very different culture of that of Japan, just as Japan’s geography
played a major role in determining its cultural values.
Climate
The climate of a country affects its markets. For example, in Japan they have cold
winters but not as cold as Canada. So in turn, they need to be able to supply their
people with clothing suitable for the weather. Climate also affects building materials,
housing style and placement of doors and windows on housing.
Arable Land
Being a self- sufficient area (the ability to grow your own food and have good water
sources) is a great advantage. Such areas are where all societies start, and from there
grow into nations. Food customs where created by which food was available in their
area. As technology increased, less people where needed to produce crops, which
gave the opportunity to develop the arts and refine cultures.
Transportation
Methods of transportation are adapted to suit the land structure. (i.e.: dogsled to
snowmobile) Canadian Aboriginals showed explorers how to make canoes, which
brought trade and settlement. Canada’s cultural identity was solidified when the railroad
was built.
Location
European explorers were impressed with Canada’s land because its many natural
resources made it a desirable place to bring settlement and trade. Explorers come from
all over the world to build off our resources, this created our Canadian Mosaic.
Natural Hazards
Culture is structured around the hazards that may occur. This includes many aspects
including buildings and mythology. Canada does not have to worry about natural
hazards because it is rare for us to get hurricanes, earthquakes, etc. We do get spring
flooding, tornadoes, and some winter storms, but they cause nowhere near the amount
of damage that other countries experience.
History
The study of a country’s history is also a study of its culture, in the same way that
history is about the settlement of nations and the cultural values that new inhabitants
bring to their new homeland. A country’s history also deals with challenges and
advantages posed by its surroundings. Settlers choose to inhabit a place because it
provides them with things they value, such as space, freedom, or resources. People
move into another country either by invitation or permission as residents, immigrants, or
refugees, or by colonization or conflict as conquerors.
Aboriginal peoples were the first to live in Canada. Next came the Vikings, English, and
French. As settlement continued, immigrants came from Germany, Poland, Italy,
Greece, Africa, the West Indies, the United States, Asia, and many other places. Each
of these cultures, itself shaped by many other cultures, contributed to now what is a
multicultural society. All of Canada’s customs have been an influence of different
cultures.
Religion
Religion usually plays an enormous role in determining the cultural values of a nation.
Some societies have a single religion that shapes their laws and customs. Other
societies embrace a multitude of religious beliefs, often in conflict with each other.
Religious ceremonies and celebrations are often accompanied by holidays.