THE INFLUENCE OF CULTURE AND BELIEFS ON FAMILY FIRMS: THE CASE OF ASIAN AND UK FIRMS

This paper examines the role of culture in the workings of firms, especially family firms, across a number of Asian countries and the UK, as a western comparator. It seeks to confirm, or otherwise, earlier findings, rooted in South China, that: while culture is a very important variable in understanding and hence facilitating cross-cultural business transactions, it is only one part of the explanation for the behaviour of firms and the problems which they are often observed to experience; that firms engaged in cross-cultural dealings will be well advised to give careful attention to what they have in common with their business collaborators, so that the expected differences may be highlighted, but seen in proper perspective; and that, as foreign direct investment into Asia grows, such considerations will become increasingly important. This study drew data from interviews conducted using a semi-structured questionnaire. Findings broadly confirmed earlier ones and added further insights into the issues facing family run SMEs operating in an increasingly international business environment.