Potential intercultural issues and conflict with Canada.
Doing business in Singapore is more formal than in Canada, because they have
many strict rules of protocol there. First of all, Canada is more society equality than Singapore. Although Singapore claims their society is egalitarian, the truth is they retained strong hierarchical relationships, which can be seen through the relationships between parents and children, teachers and students, and employers and employers. Even in one group, rank is always respected; the eldest person is always revered. However, in Canada, people are equally in company, so one of the potential intercultural issues and conflict is it’s hard to handle the relationship between superior and subordinate. Secondly, Canadian’s are more flexible and free while doing business. WhenCanadians are holding a meeting, peoples are relaxed in manner, the themes of the meetings are mostly to review proposals, make plans, brain storming and communicate decisions. The meeting looks more formal when it is in Singapore, questioning during the meet is a taboo, unless the speech giver asks if there is any question, and the whole point of the meeting is mostly information give, for the superior to give information to subordinates. Canadians are feel free to give own opinions during the meeting, you can disagree your superior and give your own opinion; the whole meeting is more like the process of discuss. Differently, in Singapore, having face indicates dignity, therefore, never disagree or criticize a person who is senior in rank. Because this will cause superior to lose face, the business relationship will be destroyed. As result, some conflict may occur while having meeting with Singaporeans. Thirdly, Canadian cultural values individuals more
important than group, while Singapore culture just focus on the opposite way. Since Singapore’s culture is group-oriented, different from individual-oriented culture in Canada, so it is important to be fit into their culture by being recognized as part of the group. Canada view individuality and individual rights as critical. It is important to know that “we” is more important than “I” in Singapore, and praise should always directed to a team rather than individuals as otherwise this may cause people embarrassment, and rewards are mostly for the team not people. Also, decision making will be slow process in Singapore, as many individuals across the hierarchy will need to be consulted. Therefore, it is important to keep oneself in group while doing business in Singapore, and keep good relationships with group member, although the development of it will take long time. Last but not the least, Canadian culture has lower tolerance for uncertainty andambiguity, which means Canadians are more rule-oriented, while Singaporeans are more ready to accept change, consider new ideas and take more and greater risks. For Singaporeans, risk is embraced as part of the business. So it is important to be more flexible and open in one’s approach to new ideas. Always be prepared to push through agreed plans quickly as they would be expected to be realized ASAP. If you are manager in SingaporeCompany, allow employees the autonomy and space to execute their tasks on their own; only guidelines and resources will be expected of you. Therefore, one of the conflicts is Canadians will feel less rule-oriented while in Singapore, and may cause inefficiency during working.
