STOCKHOLM UNIVERSITY
SCHOOL OF BUSINESS
Master Thesis
Spring 1997
SWEDISHNESS
IN AN AMERICAN ORGANIZATION
- A STUDY OF THE SWEDISH BEHAVIOR, EMERGED WHEN USING GROUNDED THEORY
Authors:
Hilda Andersson
Björn Geiger
Mikael Nilsson
Thesis group:
Administration and Organization
Tutor:
Bengt Gustavsson
Hilda AnderssonBjörn GeigerMikael Nilsson
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”Swedishness in an American Organization” - by Andersson, Geiger and Nilsson
ABSTRACT
During the last decade the European economy has become increasingly integrated into a global economy dominated by large multinational organizations. As employees move between different countries within the multinational organizations, problems related to cultural diversity, often occur. In the process of adapting the corporate culture to the national culture, it is important to have information about the national culture in the new country.
An American company which was established a few years ago in Sweden, has problems with its Swedish employees who are leaving the organization, after been working only for a short time. The company believes this problem is related to cultural differences. We believe knowing more about the Swedish culture and why the Swedes act and behave as they do, would lead to a deeper understanding of the Swedish employees .
The purpose of this study is, therefore, to identify, describe and explain Swedish behavior among Swedes working in an American company operating in Sweden.
In order to generate this knowledge we have used an inductive method called Grounded Theory. The core of Grounded Theory is that the theories have to be developed from empirical data. In order to construct the theories, the scientist has to compare and make structures of data. We interviewed Swedish employees at the American company.
The theory we generated is that Swedes search to obtain a feeling of security. We developed four categories, which gives the Swede a feeling of security through;
Planning
Adaptation
Confirmation
Literal interpretation of the word
By reviewing previous research on the subject, we found our core category, “a feeling of security”, to be vaguely indicated as a main characteristic of the Swede. Other characteristics in our categories are clearly emphasized in the literature.
” Swedes are formal people. Stay on a last - name basis until your Swedish business partner makes the move to more familiarity. Swedes like to plan things. Don’t ask for last - minute appointments, and be thoughtful towards secretaries and aides. Letters marked ”private” stay that way. July and August - the summer holiday period - are months to avoid going to Sweden on business.”
Hints for businessmen, Berliz Business Travel Guide to Europe
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