Management Practices in

SingaporeAnna SmithPaige PerryDevon DyerChandler CruseSandy TangTammy NguyenAngela Scioli

Top 25 most competitive countries in the world. Singapore ranks 3rd behind Switzerland and the United States.

Out of 183 countries, Singapore ranks fifth as one of the least corrupt countries in the 2011 Corruption Perceptions Index where the United States ranks 24th.

In the 2011 Bribe Payers Index, Singapore ranked eighth (out of 28), and the United States ranked tenth as countries least likely to take a bribe.

Employee/Employer Relations

Managers take a paternalistic attitude to their employees

Bosses are treated with the same respect one shows their parents

Employee/Employer Relations May demonstrate a concern for

employees that goes beyond the workplace and strictly professional concerns

This may include involvement in their family, housing, health, and other practical life issues

Importance of Personal Relationships at Work

Personal relationships are the cornerstone of all business relationships

Business is a matter of being tied into the proper network

Relationships take time to develop

Importance of Personal Relationships at Work

This is a group-oriented culture, so links are often based on ethnicity, education or working for the same company

Once you are recognized as part of the group, you will be accepted and expected to obey the unwritten rules of the group

Typical Management StyleMost corporate leaders in Singapore prefer to stick to tried and tested management styles and policies

The majority of both government-linked companies and private sector groups have a top-down management style, which, critics argue, has stifled creativity and innovation in the workplace

Typical Leadership Style A typical Singaporean leader tends to be

performance-driven and authoritative, and reactive rather than pro-active

Described as intellectual, but not intellectually stimulating

A recent poll found Singapore chief executives, especially those from the private sector, to be uninspiring in general, and poor at developing talent and grooming successors

Decision Making Practices Singapore is a hierarchical culture,

so the boss is considered to be superior to their subordinates

Subordinates do not ask their boss questions, as it would indicate that the boss had not done a good job of explaining what was necessary.

Subordinates will canvas other workers and come to a group consensus of what should be done and how it should be accomplished

View of Authority

The group is regarded as more important than the individual

A strict hierarchy is always observed, with respect and deference shown to older and more senior people

Age implies wisdom

Primary Means of Motivating Employees

Respect, type of work and career potential are more important than variable pay and bonuses in Singapore when it comes to getting employees to give their best

Getting respect from the boss comes close to matching basic pay as the single most important driver in motivating Singapore workers

Common Types of Organizational Structure

As in all Asian countries, organizational structures tend toward the hierarchical

Many Singaporean companies originated as family-run businesses; this adds weight to the push for respect for seniority

Within traditional Singaporean organizations, all key decisions will be made at the very senior levels, with those decisions being delegated down the chain of command for implementation

Role and View of Women in Business

Singapore's female managers are still fewer in number despite of their rising educational level and attainments when compared to male managers

Statistics show that Singapore women are more likely to drop out of the labor force after marriage and childbirth

Working Women in Singapore: The 3 ParadoxesThe first paradox refers to the call

to women to be productive employees while still retaining their traditional roles in the family

The second paradox discusses the conflict between work and family

The third paradox presents the barriers that hinder women from moving up in their careers

Appropriate Business DressMen wear suits only for the most

important business meetings because of the tropical humidity and heat; a shirt and tie is acceptable

Women should wear blouses with sleeves and skirts or pantsuits

Avoid complimenting the appearance of a business person of the opposite sex

Work ScheduleAs a general rule in Singapore,

office employees work from Monday through Friday from 9.00am to 6pm or 7pm, depending on the company policies

It is not uncommon for Singapore employees to work 9-10 hours during the weekdays and half-day on Saturdays

Compensation ScheduleYour salary must be paid at least once a

month (not necessarily on the first day of a calendar month) and within the first 7 days of each salary month

You cannot be forced to sign a contract of service

If your employer ends your contract of service, you should be paid within 3 days of the end of your employment. If you end your employment, you should be paid within 7 days of the end of your employment

Benefits for EmployeesSick/annual/maternity leaveIncentives & bonusesRelocation assistanceHealthcare benefitsRetirement fund contributionsHousing allowanceAllowance for children’s educationChildcare benefitsTransportation reimbursements, etc.

Business Meeting Etiquette

◦DON’T discuss religion or politics◦DON’T show anger or raise your

voice DON'T schedule appointments during Chinese New Year

◦DON'T be late◦DON'T disagree with someone who

has a higher rank than you◦DON'T sit until told where to sit

Business Meeting EtiquetteDO be very direct when communicating DO expect business to be conducted

formallyDO take time to build personal

relationshipsDO make appointments at least two

weeks in advanceDO be patient throughout negotiationsDO exchange business cards using both

hands and treat them respectfully

References Bala, S. (2005, February 15). Singapore needs to think outside of the box.

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Employee hiring guide for singapore. In (2011). GuideMeSingapore.com Janus Corporate Solutions Pte Ltd. Retrieved from http://www.guidemesingapore.com/incorporation/hr/employee-hiring-guide

Employment rights and conditions. (2012, February 06). Retrieved from http://www.mom.gov.sg/employment-practices/employment-rightsconditions/employment-act/Pages/default.aspx

The law society of singapore. (2008). Employment law. Retrieved from http://www.lawsociety.org.sg/public/you_and_the_law/employment.aspx

Ming, C. (2008, January 14). Bosses' respect almost matches pay for motivating staff: Poll. Retrieved from http://www.asiaone.com/Business/News/ Office/Story/ A1Story20080117-45385.html

Royal Thai Embassy, Business Information Center. (2009). Labour and employment. Retrieved from website: http://bic.thaiembassy.sg/node/13

Singapore: Cultural etiquette. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.ediplomat.com/np/cultural_etiquette/ce_sg.htm

Women in singapore. In (2011). The three paradoxes: Working women in Singapore. Singapore: Aware. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Women_in_Singapore