Asian Literature

Executive Summary
Cultures define ways in which inhabitants pass their daily life in a country. Languages, business and daily life activities are defined by cultures. This paper on a whole shall highlight these effects. Country in focus in Saudi Arabia. This paper shall briefly highlight cultural traditions in Saudi Arabia in an organizational and daily life context. Moral values and traditions followed by Arabians in daily life and in business activities shall be covered using two cultural dimensions, one covered by Hofstede and second given in corporate culture context by Trompenaars. Saudi Arabia is a Muslim country thereby all cultures being followed in Saudi Arabia are in accordance to Islamic religion. In Saudi Arabia, Daily life routine including food and music are all followed in accordance to Islamic traditions.

Saudi Arabia is an important country in Muslim countries and it is important to understand business and daily life cultures being followed. Organizational success is to be analyzed in Saudi Arabia based on two main cultural studies.

Starting with introductory information about Saudi Arabia, cultural traits of country shall be discussed along with organizational cultures. This discussion includes effects on multinationals and foreigners in the country who increase foreign investments in the country.

It is argued by Ricks (2006) that contemporary Saudi Arabia began to arise because of state development in late seventeenth century. Bani Khalid tribe contributed in this development by creating a state named Al-Ahsa in western part of the country. Saudi Arabia occupies most part of Arabian Peninsula Cultural settings being followed in Saudi Arabia is Muslim and Arabic. On the east, Saudi Arabia is bounded with Arabian Peninsula, on the west it connects with Red Sea. Saudi Arabia is a country of hot climate.

Cultural traits

Music
Most compelling of all traits is countrys national dance Al Ardha. Sword dance is a popular dance based on Bedouin traditions. A poet chants verses and poetry is sung by a singer on which men dance with swords shoulder to shoulder. Dances in Mecca,MedinaandJeddah include sounds of Mizmaar, a woodwind instrument. In accordance to cultural and tribal traditions strictly followed in Saudi Arabia, drums are considered as an important part. Samri in Saudi Arabia is a kind of music and dance, which is very popular, and it involves poetry being sung.

Dressing
It is mentioned by Long, (2005) that Saudi Arabian culture is strict about hijab and veiling emphasizing principles of modesty in dressing in men and women. Loose and flowing garments are preferred in Saudi Arabia and it is believed that these kind of clothing helps in hot climates. Usually men, made of cotton or wool, known as thawb, wear ankle length shirt. Thawb is worn with keffiyeh which is a squared and chequered piece of cotton held on head by a cord coil. Climate in Saudi Arabia is hotter usually but in cold chilly days that are rare, men wear camel-hair cloak or bisht on top. Women clothing is decorated with traditional motifs, coins, metal threads and appliqus known as abaya or niqab.

Foods and Drinks
Alcoholic beverages are prohibited in Saudi Arabian cultures. Kabsa is a popular dish in Saudi Arabia which is composed of rice and meat. Khubz is known as unleavened bread eaten with all kinds of meals. Other staples in food include lamb,grilled chicken,falafel which are deep-fried chickpea balls,internationally famous shawarma, andFul medames, a paste offava beans,garlicandlemon.

Afore mentioned sections have highlighted and in the light of these modest traditions of Islamic religion, cultural and organizational traditions will be followed in the coming sections.

Cultural Traits of the Country
Many cultural traditions in Saudi Arabia make it unique in Arabian Peninsula. Traditions that set it apart from other countries are gender segregation strictly followed in men and women. Men in offices, organizations and homes have more rights than women. These differences have been highlighted by books and well as researches.

Typical traditional traits include men being given lesser rights as compared to women. However recently Saudi women are very much influenced by western culture. Moreover films and theatres were banned in the country in accordance to strict Wahhabee traditions. However in 2009, Saudi citizens started to enjoy watching movies as Saudi directors themselves started producing films. IMAX theatres are now open for Saudi citizens and it is observed that public theatres are found in DhahranandRas Tanura. These theatres are more popular for featuring traditional music, arts and theatre productions. Moreover, it was observed that single women were not allowed to travel outside of their homes until recently. Driving rights are given to young and independent Saudi women. Thereby Saudi culture is facing some changes and these are mainly related to advancements in rights being bestowed to women, especially younger women. In this regards it is seen that previously, women were not allowed to stay in hotels, if alone. However, these days, women do not have such compulsions. These changes in present can lead to better changes in social development in the country. Previously women used to feel abandoned and deprived of human rights but these days, women make a small part of Saudi organizations and workforce thereby increasing profits. Higher authorities at kingdom of Saudi Arabia fortunately realize this thereby empowering woman has been a part of millennium development goals of the country.

Organizational and Business Cultures In Saudi Arabia
It has been mentioned by Buchele, (2008) that cultures have an effect on organizations and multinationals in the country. These effects are to be discussed in this paper in the next sections.

Hofstede And Saudi Organizational Culture
Hofstede has carried out an analysis of Saudi Arabia and it is similar to other Arabian countries. Many organizational dimensions are covered by Hofstede and these shall be discussed in this section.

Large Power Distance and Uncertainty Avoidance
In KSA, these two organizational dimensions are predominant. Strict caste system is followed in KSA that does not allow citizens to progress. In organizations, higher authorities are strict followers of rules and regulations in order to avoid uncertainty and risk, strict rules and power being imposed on employees. Thus higher uncertainty avoidance and power distance is observed in Saudi cultures. High power distance is created in employees and inequalities of power and wealth are increased in societies.
Saudi officials have lower tolerance for uncertainty thereby Saudi Arab ranks at position 68 in this case.
 
Masculinity
Ali, (2009) mentions that third highest Hofstede dimension in Saudi is masculinity. All countries have an average of 50.2 rating while Saudi is at 52, highest among other countries. This number indicates that women in Saudi Arabia have lesser powers and limited rights being less on freedom.

Individualism
Saudi Arab ranks lowest in case of individualism. Thereby Saudi Arab is a collectivist country when seen in business and organizational perspective. Collectivism is higher in Saudi organizations and it has been seen that this ensures loyalty in employees. Higher authorities believe collectivism increases loyalty and commitment in employees ensuring success in an organization.

Trompenaars Four Corporate Cultures

Family culture
It is mentioned by Trompenaars, and Prudhomme, (2004) that a close family relationship with the whole organization is emphasized. Personal and hierarchical relationships within an organization exist at the same time. It is seen in the case of Saudi Arabia that as the business are inherited from the elders thereby there is a string belief that elders of business have more experience and knowledge thereby they have more authority as compared to youngsters in the family.  Thereby fathers of business are considered more important in this case as they know better how to handle the subordinates and what is to be done in business. In addition this kind of authority, especially seen in the Saudi organization is not of threatening nature but is more benign and cooperative. These kinds os relationships in family business resemble dealings in home.

Eiffel Tower Culture
It has been argued that an organization following nepotism can be regarded as corrupt and it has been seen that this can lead to conflicts of interest, as there can be a clash of individuals from various cultures. On the other hand, it is argued that workers within an organization are responsible for their jobs and responsibilities that have been given to them. If all workers work in accordance to the tasks that have been given to them than an organization runs smoothly. Thereby this represents an organization in the form of a pyramid. This dimension focuses on division of labor and communication in hierarchy. Communication is lesser within Saudi organizations indicating higher power being higher within organizations. Planning is another dimension covered in this point. Planning with rules and regulations has been seen in Saudi organizations making sure that unpleasant outcomes are avoided. This dimension is referred to as Eifel tower as the base is broader while the top is narrower. Thereby the structure of an organization is less important as compared to function of an organization.

Guided Missile Culture
Herkenhoff, (2002) argues that this is highest in Saudi organizations. This dimension refers to impersonal relations being followed in organizations. Task orientation is found to be higher in Saudi organizations and business cultures. One of the most important facts in this case is an egalitarian behavior which is more important. Equality is more highlighted in egalitarian. In this dimension, role of each individual within an organization has been emphasized. Guided missile culture is a dimension that highlights task orientation in organization in case of members of a team and projects in an organization. As compared to family culture and Eiffel tower culture, a great difference in this dimension is an occurrence of equality in individuals rather than interpersonal relationships within an organization.  Thereby egalitarian behavior among individual is more emphasized in this dimension.
Incubator Culture

This refers to attempts to minimize organizational hierarchy and cultures. In Arabian and Saudi cultures, minimum of such attempts are noticed. Main principle that is believed in this case is that working individuals in an organization are primary to existence of an organization.   It has been argued that incubator culture is very similar to logics of business. This dimension indicates that rime available in the hands of individuals for extracurricular activities and self-maintenance should be reduced thereby making these individuals work in a task oriented and an intensely committed environment within the organization.

Saudi Arabia and Value dimensions of Trompenaars
Universalism Vs. Particularism
This dimension highlights importance given by a country and its organization to rules or relationships. In Saudi Arabia, in business relationships, rules are given more importance over relationships.
Individualism vs. collectivism
It has been argued in previous sections that said countries are highly collectivist.
Neutral vs. emotional
Organizational dealings in Saudi Arabia are usually neutral and rules are imposed in employees without any meetings and discussions.
Specific vs. diffuse
Responsibilities being diffused or specifically assigned is an important dimension and in Saudi cultures it is seen that responsibilities in Saudi organizations are specifically assigned.
Achievement Vs. Ascription
It is argued by Ricks, (2006) that ideology of achievement is not strictly believed in Saudi cultures as most of the businesses are passed on by inheritance. Headwork has no doubt created a lot of wealth in this country but ascription is more followed in Saudi organizations.
Sequential Vs. Synchronic
Many things at a time are followed in Saudi organizations leading to more power and higher power distance.
Internal vs. external control
Internal control is higher in Saudi organizations and external agencies and organizations have lesser control over local organizations.

Halls High-Context and Low-Context Cultural Framework in Saudi Arabia
It is mentioned by Samovar, Porter, and McDaniel, (2009) that cultural context is defined as framework, backgrounds and surroundings in a culture in  which the organizational working takes place. Cultures and backgrounds shape up the rules followed by organizations. Asia, America and Arabian countries are among high context cultures.  High context culture traits include intuition, collectivism and relational behavior. Saudi Arabia is among countries defined as high context. As task orientation is higher in Saudi Arabian cultures thereby it is included in high context countries.

Country Cultures Effects On Multinational Companies
Multinationals belong to different countries working under one organization for one goal. Reaching different countries means that multinational companies managers are in need to learn the cultures, especially organizational cultures of target countries. Hofstede defines organizational cultures in an explicit manner for every region proving to be helpful for multinational managers. It is to be realized that cultures have a variety of ways that effect efficiency and working styles of multinational and foreign investors in a country. In this case, there are certain cautions to be taken by the multinational managers in a country in case of employees belonging to a target country. Ethnocentrism, cultural relativism and stereotyping are most important facts to be considered by international managers. Managers thereby need to make sure that they learn cultures, as learning cultures is a never-ending process.

For instance, multinationals in Saudi Arabia need to be considerate about Hofstede dimensions observed within Saudi organizations. Power distance is higher in Saudi officials thereby mangers are in a need to realize that Saudi officials believe in uncertainty avoidance and risk management by imposing rules on employees rather than inviting discussions. 

The paper has discussed cultural influences of Saudi Arabia on organizations and entering multinational in the country. The current situation consists of dominant cultural influences of the country on organizations as men are dominant in businesses as well as homes. A close family relationship with respect for elders is observed that is reflected in family business as well. Multinationals in Saudi Arabia are enjoying freedom. However, some issues are being faced as strict rules and regulations are being followed by organizations thereby higher power distance is seen in multinationals and Saudi organizations. Hofstedes cultural dimensions have been considered showing that power distance and uncertainty avoidance is higher in multinational and Saudi organization.  Thereby in the next ten years, there is a change needed in male dominance in business and there is a need to incorporate strategies proposed by youngsters along with the ones planned by seniors.