INTERNATIONAL HR- CHINA & RUSSIA

SUBMITTED BY:

SHUBHAM SINGHAL

80303120053

NMIMS HYDERABAD

CHINA

Chinese Business Culture and Protocol

Chinese Communication Styles

Individualistic vs. collective values

Chinese communication strategies

Role of hierarchy in relationships

Cultural behavioral and emotional values

Ingroup vs. outgroup interactions and interpersonal relationships

Guanxi (relationships & network building)

Mianzi (face)

Individualistic vs. Collective Values

Self is relational

Individual is not as important as the role you play in the larger group

Individual cannot be separated from the obligation of others

Reciprocity

Implications

Chinese are often reluctant to make a decision that does not reflect the rest of their group (in public).

Interpersonal transactions are situated in relationships rather than in individual persons.

Managers need to meet with team members independently to understand the level of support for an policy or program.

Chinese Communication Strategies

Four aspects of Chinese communication strategies

Non confrontation

Compliance

Provisional responses

Using intermediaries

Role and Hierarchy

Confucian model, the role determines the behavior

Respect

Introductions

Meetings and banquets

Implications

Respect the hierarchy: junior to junior, senior to senior

Learn about the Chinese partners and their backgrounds (business cards can be deceiving)

Consider who you are sending to do business, establish their credentials

Chinese Culture/ Etiquette

Introductions

Chinese prefer to be introduced formally

When your are introduced standup and say your name

Greetings

Handshakes

Business cards

Meetings

Arrive on time; begin with small talk

Principle members are seated and others follow by rank

Dialogue is a structured series of speeches; not usually a free

discussion

Follow-up points are summarized for later discussions

Non-Verbal Communication

Nod; look briefly into the eyes

Close personal space among members of the same gender

Point with open hand rather than the index finger

Avoid pointing your foot at another person by crossing your legs

Legal Framework

• Key elements of Labor Contract Law• Labor Unions• Everyone is a sole proprietor• Labor relations

Labor Law

Labor Unions

All-China Federation of Trade Union

Collective Bargaining

Working Conditions

Everyone is a sole proprietor

Entrepreneur Spirit

Small Retailers

Professionals

“Study and work hard, because someone in China wants your job.“

Gregory P. Smith

RUSSIA

Factors that influenced Russian mentality

 

Complicated history Tatar dominion, then dukes came to power, then Tsar empire, then Revolution and the Soviet power, and finally modern capitalism and globalization

Huge territories Russia occupies 1/6 part of the Earth’s territory

Geographical locationRussia is located between Europe and Asia

Mix of BUSINESS cultures

What is a Russian business culture of the 21st century like?

It is a mix of European and Asian business culture, but with a Russian flavor.

Today in Russia there are more and more people who think and do their business the same way as Europeans. They have European education, know one or several foreign languages etc.

Unusual features of Russian business culture

1. Attitude towards women

The  Asian  trait  of  our mentality  is  reflected  in  the business  relations  between men  and  women.  The approach  to  women  is  more Asian  than  Western  and feministic. 

Unusual features of Russian business culture

2. First contacts Sometimes Russians are a bit  cold  with  people  that they don’t know well.

So you will have to break the ice with them and show that you are a reliable person. And after that they actually become very nice and kind people!

Unusual features of Russian business culture

3. Gifts-giving practice

Russians  like  to  give  and receive  presents,  even  in the business practice.

Unusual features of Russian business culture

4. Cultural part of negotiations and Russian hospitality

Russians are very hospitable. 

Russians  like  to  treat  their guests  and  spend  time sitting at the table with food and  drinks,  and  saying toasts.

Structure and hierarchy in Russian companies 

The hierarchical structure in Russian business practices means  that  the  decision  makers  higher  up  have authority over their subordinates. However, the nature of  the collective good often encourages a flexible and democratic work ethos. 

Showing  respect  for  seniority  and  recognizing  the hierarchical  structure  is  vital  for  establishing  and maintaining strong business relationships. 

Working relationships in Russia

Personal and informal contact is a central part in doing business in Russia. 

Physical contact  during  business  meetings  (a simple hand on the arm or even embracing) is a positive sign. The notion of social space  is close in Russia. 

In situations of conflict  -  to  avoid  taking  an official  stance  and  remember  that  Russians  are 'people  orientated'  and will  respond  to  a more personal approach. 

Russian employment law

Compliance with local employment and immigration laws remains an area of 

increasing  interest  to Russian  regulatory  authorities  and,  consequently,  for 

companies  operating  in  Russia.  International  players  shall  pay  more 

attention  to  the  employment  and  immigration  aspects  of  their  local 

operations.

The Labour Code

The central piece of Russian employment legislation is the Labour Code of the Russian Federation (the “Labour Code” or “Code”). It was initially adopted on 30 December 2001 replacing the old Soviet Code of 1971 and has been amended several times since then. The last substantial amendments  to  the  Labour  Code were  introduced  on  30  June  2006  and  came  into  effect  on  6 October 2006. 

One  of  the  basic  rules  of  the  Code  is  found  in  Article  9.  It  provides  that  any  provision  in  an employment  agreement  that worsens  the  position  of  an  employee  by  comparison with  his/her position under the Labour Code will be invalid and the provisions of the Labour Code will prevail. The Code contains minimum guarantees and protections  for employees that are mandatory and from which parties are not permitted to depart. As a result, the position of employees in Russia is quite strong as compared with the position of employers.  In this sense, the new legislation does not represent a departure from the historically employee-friendly approach.

Employment orders

It  is  a  legislative  requirement  for  employers  to  issue  an  internal  order  (prikaz) each time an employee is hired, granted a new position, granted a vacation, paid a bonus, disciplined or dismissed, and in certain other cases.

Managing  these administrative duties  represents  the bulk of time spent by any human resources department in Russia.

Working hours

A normal working week  cannot exceed 40 hours  irrespective of a five- or six-day week. Any additional time worked  is  classified as overtime, which employers  may  request  only  in  circumstances  expressly  specified  by  the Labour Code.

Overtime work must be paid:

(i) for the first two hours of work – at a rate of 150% of the regular hourly rate;

(ii) for subsequent hours – at a rate of 200% of the regular hourly rate.

Breaks in work, days off and publicholidays

The Labour Code provides that an employee must be given a break for rest and meals during the working 

day. Such break time is not included in the working time and must not be less than 30 minutes or greater 

than two hours. 

All employees must be provided with days off (two days off for a five-day week, and, one day off for a six-

day week). The length of days off (time off between working days) may not be less than 42 hours.

There are currently eight official paid public holidays in Russia, which give employees 12 days off. These days 

are: 1-5 and 7 January, 23 February, 8 March, 1 and 9 May, 12 June and 4 November. If a holiday falls on a 

weekend, the next business day after the public holiday day will be a paid day off. Employees’ salaries are 

not affected as a result of such holidays.

THANKS!