Interview Topic: Cultural Differences Between Austrian and Indian

Interview-Guide Topic: Cultural differences between Austrian and Indian employees/managers. Dear Interviewee, We are primarily interested in your personal experiences, and all questions are to be seen as related to you! •Name : Birgitt •Native Country (indicate any double citizenship): Austria •Gender: Female •Country(ies) visited: South America, Asia, Europe and Australia •Age : 25 Q1: Explain generally where the greatest differences between Austrian and Indian worklife are to be found. There are generally more Indians employed for a job that is usually done by only one Austrian.
Time perception is different. I think Indians have more working hours. Q2: How do you feel that your country is different than other countries? I like it because India is a country that is still in transition and is very dynamic. In Austria the development seems to be limited already. Q3 : What can you point out as being the most important cultural difference between an Indian and Austrian/European ? -Perception of cleaness is different -People in India seem to be more laid back -The importance of religion is higher in general Man are more dominant Q4 : What stereotypes do people in your country generally use to describe the following groups (don’t describe your own people if listed below): * The Americans: stupid, fat and superstitious * The French: arrogant, unfriendly and not willing to speak English * The Germans: punctual and boring * The Indians: nodding with there head a different way, funny and lazy Q5 : When you travel abroad, do you think that these preconceptions are justified (on a scale from 1 to 5)? 1 (In general Yes) 2 3 – sometimes yes, sometimes no. !!!!!!! 4 5 (Not at all) Give examples: Q6 : How do you perceive the professional communication between foreign (Austrian/European ) and Indian employees? -Formal -Friendly, small talk on the beginning -Showing strong interest about the other country -Indians more friendly, Austrians more focussed and harsh Q7: How do organizational principles in India differ from Austrian ones? Indians like to foresee everything and plan in advance, Austrians more flexible in plan making (short time) Q8 : In the business world, would you say that: The level of responsibility given to people is linked to: (several answers are possible) * their position in the company ? my answer * the number of years spent in the company * their age * their sex * other: -The boss of a company: * is hard to reach * can be reached easily ? my answer * needs to have authority * doesn’t try to appear powerful Q9: In your society, information is generally transmitted ? * directly, through explicit messages, so as not to waste time. ? my answer * indirectly, through many unspoken messages. other: Q10: How are foreigners accepted in India? Do you have experiences concerning expatriates and their acceptance by Indian employees? I don’t have experience but I was told that they integrate foreigner pretty fast Q11: How important is the topic of religion in daily worklife in India? Really important, in Austria it is not. Q 12: Would you say that your country is rather turned towards Individualism or Collective/group spirit (on a scale from 1 to 5) 1 (Individualism) ? very individualistic 2 3 4 5 (Collective/group spirit)
Q13: Rank the following concepts from 1 (positive) to 5 (negative) depending on their positive or negative value in your society? * clearness: 1 * saving one’s face: 4 * frankness: 3 * working in group: 2 * personal pride: 3 * competition: 3 Q14: The tendency to change companies or jobs in india is: * high * low * other: don’t know Q15: As far as time organization, people in india: tend to do * do just one thing at a time ? my answer * do several things at once * other: tend to be * very punctual * rather punctual * rarely on time ? my answer * never on time other: tend to * strictly follow what they have planned to do * modify their agenda and therefore postpone what they have planned ? my answer * other: Q16: How important is money in India? Do you have the feeling that bargaining is important in India ? Money is not that important in India as it is in Austria, but bargaining is more important than in Austria Q17 : Do you have any ideas on how to solve problems of Austrian companies in India? Being patient and adopt to the culture, slow down a bit and introduce clear rules and make clear that they have to be followed 8 : How would you generally describe an Indian? Do you think that Indians and Austrians/European overlook the cultural differences or are they aware of them? Indians are laid back on the one hand but also very committed to things like religion and family. They are very helpful and not that selfish as Europeans. I think that Europeans are aware of the cultural differences but still cannot get a feeling of it till they are actually visiting India. ? Please feel free to add your own suggestions and comments on this topic or on the survey itself? Thank you for taking part in the survey?