CHALLENGES AND COPING MECHANISMS FOR CROSS-CULTURAL BUSINESS MANAGEMENT ADJUSTMENT IN THE PHILIPPINES
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Abstract
This article analyzes the most common challenges and coping mechanisms of Turkish business expatriates. It also aims to explore and suggest some solutions for a sound cross-cultural business adjustment in the Philippines, by the Turkish business expatriates. The research instrument used in this study is the Interview Schedule which includes open-ended questions intended to obtain primary data from the private accounts of ten (10) Turkish expatriates. Specifically, the study examines three major challenges (i.e., individual challenges, work challenges and non-work challenges) in relation to the Turkish business expatriates’ coping mechanisms which include the following: starting business and running to business. Findings based on this qualitative study revealed that the individual challenges were more on stress, self-esteem, mental well-being, communication, developing relationship, slow government process/ decision-making and work attitudes of Filipinos. Moreover, the work challenges shared by the respondents were primarily on: communication, business behavior and approaches, negotiations, supply, relationship with colleagues, time and scheduling, as well as hierarchy. Furthermore, the external challenges were mainly on the bureaucratic system, rules and regulations, human resource management, technology, evolving preferences of customers, and economic crisis. With respect to the coping mechanisms, it has been shown that any business planned by a Turkish business expatriate must first begin with a small investment. Likewise, bringing a technical team, hiring a local manager, who may also be hired through an agency and establishing a good managerial system are among the best options when starting a business. Finally, this study was not only able to identify the main challenges experienced by the Turkish business expatriates (e.g., managers, business owners, business newcomers), but it also uncovered coping mechanisms that will increase the likelihood of success in the business while minimizing the occurrence of failure and bankruptcy in the Philippine business setting.
Keywords
Abstract
This article analyzes the most common challenges and coping mechanisms of Turkish business expatriates. It also aims to explore and suggest some solutions for a sound cross-cultural business adjustment in the Philippines, by the Turkish business expatriates. The research instrument used in this study is the Interview Schedule which includes open-ended questions intended to obtain primary data from the private accounts of ten (10) Turkish expatriates. Specifically, the study examines three major challenges (i.e., individual challenges, work challenges and non-work challenges) in relation to the Turkish business expatriates’ coping mechanisms which include the following: starting business and running to business. Findings based on this qualitative study revealed that the individual challenges were more on stress, self-esteem, mental well-being, communication, developing relationship, slow government process/ decision-making and work attitudes of Filipinos. Moreover, the work challenges shared by the respondents were primarily on: communication, business behavior and approaches, negotiations, supply, relationship with colleagues, time and scheduling, as well as hierarchy. Furthermore, the external challenges were mainly on the bureaucratic system, rules and regulations, human resource management, technology, evolving preferences of customers, and economic crisis. With respect to the coping mechanisms, it has been shown that any business planned by a Turkish business expatriate must first begin with a small investment. Likewise, bringing a technical team, hiring a local manager, who may also be hired through an agency and establishing a good managerial system are among the best options when starting a business. Finally, this study was not only able to identify the main challenges experienced by the Turkish business expatriates (e.g., managers, business owners, business newcomers), but it also uncovered coping mechanisms that will increase the likelihood of success in the business while minimizing the occurrence of failure and bankruptcy in the Philippine business setting.
Keywords
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