Introduction:
We are living in a transition point of history where dynamics of human communication, social system and demography is changing due to rapid development of technology, human migration and globalization. At present invention of information sharing technologies has enabled people of different geographical location, background, culture and race to work together which the world has never seen before. Due to those changes. international business has reached to a new Hight and leaving impact on economics, culture, communication and business management. New challenges are emerging for the business leaders and senior officials to deal with different people in business meetings and forums.
Australia in a country in southern hemisphere with an emerging economy. Open economy policy of the Australian Government and rapid emigration of people from all over the world to Australia is become a new opportunity for business expansion. On the other hand, Bangladesh is also developing its economic strength and day by day increasing it ability to export to different foreign territories. Other than that, a vast number of young students and young professionals entering Australia to fulfill their endeavor. Thus, it is become a challenge for Bangladeshi professionals involved in international business with Australia and those who are emigrating to Australia to understand and know the business and communication culture of Australia.
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In this paper we have tried to provide short overview on Australian culture and business communication along with a comparison with Hofstede’s Cultural Dimension and basics of Australian business etiquette for the better understanding of the reality we have also provided some basic information like – history, geography, demography, economy and business environment.
History:
The Europeans came to Australia in the 17th century and territorial claims were made form 1770 after Capt. James COOK started colonialization in the name of Great Britain over the existing prehistoric settlers, who came from Southeast Asia 40,000 years before the Europeans. The that time it was a penal colony. But in 1851, gold mine was discovered near New South Wales and the event contributes the population boom. Later in 1901, with six states, Commonwealth of Australia was created unified under a constitution.
Geography:
Area: The country is in Oceania continent surrounded by Indian Ocean and the South Pacific Ocean. Geographic coordinates of Australia are 27 00 S, 133 00 E. The total area of the country is 7,741,220 sq km where 7,682,300 sq km is land and 58,920 sq km is water bodies. (Central Intelligence Agency, 2019)
Topography: The country is mostly low plateau with deserts; fertile plain in southeast. It is considered as world’s lowest continent. The mean elevation is 330 meters. Mount Kosciuszko has the highest peak which is 2228 meters above sea level. (Geoscience Australia, 2019)
Climate: Australia is in the southern hemisphere. It is a large continent and different areas have different weather conditions. The country has four seasons. The north of Australia experiences tropical influenced climate.
Season Months
Summer December to March
Autumn March to May
Winter June to August
Spring September to November
The southern areas of the Continent are generally are cooler, sometimes rainy winters. The mountains in this region have a typical mountain climate, the highest peaks are usually covered by snow year-round. (Weather Online, 2019)
Demography:
Population: Australia is enjoying relatively consistent population growth. The population has reached 25 million in 2018 with an average 1.6% of growth rate and density of 3.14%. Country’s east and southeast parts consist highest concentration of people. And the population has a balanced sex structure, with a male female ratio of 99:100. Because of the improved living condition and decreasing death rate the country’s life expectancy has gradually increased, which is now greater than 82 years. (Census of Population and Housing: Nature and Content, Australia, 2016 , 2015)
Ethnic groups: In both, colonial era and post federation era, mostly European settlers migrated to Australia. During World War II a large scale of European migrants’ swamps Australia and the population become more than double at the end of the war. Due to White Australia policy non-European migrants were discouraged till mid -1970s. After that a significant number of non-Europeans migrated to Australia. According to countries census published in 2016 the common ancestries were -
- English 36.1% • German 4.5%
- Australian 33.5% • Indian 2.8%
- Irish 11.0% • Greek 1.8%
- Scottish 9.3% • Dutch 1.6%
- Chinese 5.6% • Vietnamese 1.4%
- Italian 4.6% • Lebanese 1%
Religions: Though the country has no official religion, but it was historically a Protestant country where the Catholics are a large minority. According to countries 2016 census the data on religious affiliation were –
- Christian 52.1% • Buddhists 2.4%
- No Religion 30.1% • Hindus 1.9%
- Not to Answer 9.6% • Sikhs 0.5%
- Muslims 2.6% • Jews 0.4%
Natural Resources:
Australia has a variety of natural resources like minerals, agricultural land, and natural land features which boost tourism. The country has world-leading mining industry, exports 29% of global coal which makes them the largest coal exporter. (Central Intelligence Agency, 2019).
Other than coal Australia is the world's second largest producer of gold and zinc, also having large reserves of iron ore, nickel, aluminum, copper, silver, uranium, diamonds, opal, silica. The wine industry of Australia is fourth in the world in terms of total exports due to its large-scale production of grapes. (Bada, 2018)
Economy:
Australia practices an open market economy where restrictions on importation of goods and services are minimal. Which in terms increased the productivity, growth and economic flexibility. Australia plays an active role in the WTO, APEC, the G20, and other trade forums. Australia has free trade agreement (FTA) with China, Republic of Korea, Japan, Chile, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, Thailand, and the US, and a regional FTA with ASEAN and New Zealand. Negotiation is going on with other countries.
The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in Australia was worth 1432.20 billion US dollars in 2018. The combined value of exports and imports is equal to 41.9 percent of GDP. (2019 Index of Economic Freedom, 2019)
Business Environment:
According to 2019 Index of Economic Freedom Australia’s score is 80.9. This is due to well established labor freedom, trade freedom, fiscal health, government integrity and judicial effectiveness.
Companies attracted to invest in Australia because Government facilitates and encourages entrepreneurial development and readily available skilled workforce. Moreover, effective law and order mitigate the corruption, implementation Trade Related Intellectual Property Rights ensures protection of property rights and enforcement of contracts and 30% flat corporate tax also plays an important role. (2019 Index of Economic Freedom, 2019)
Other factors like such as efficient and transparent regulatory environment is very favorable to entrepreneurship. Government do not interfere with foreign investment and Foreign firms compete on equal terms with domestic banks and other financial institutions.
Culture and Communication – Relationship
Due to globalization of business and the differences between national and international business structure people need to learn about how to work with and maintain professional relationship with other people of different culture which is a complex relationship. Therefore, it is necessary to understand the relation between culture and communication.
According to sociologist Georg Simmel, culture referred to 'the cultivation of individuals through the agency of external forms which have been objectified in the course of history.' (Simmel & Levine, 1971). On the other hand Edward B. Tylor, the founder of cultural anthropology, came up with a classic definition of culture that most sociologists find acceptable: Culture, or civilization, 'taken in its wide ethnographic sense, is that complex whole which includes knowledge, beliefs, art, morals, law, custom, and any other capabilities and habits acquired by man as a member of society.' (Turner, 2019). Meaning it is the way of life and the set of believes and norms and customs that people from different geographical location practices in a set time. All culture has some unique characteristics and are different from each other though the components are same.
On the other hand, “culture is the residue of the social communication. It is created from communication i.e., human interaction through which norms, customs and rituals are shared and vice versa.
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