Business Differences between the United States and Mexico

1
Business Differences between the United States
and Mexico

• Dr. Robert J. Hoover
• Professor of Marketing
• College of Business
• Idaho State University
• Pocatello, Idaho

2
Mexico-US Differences Nationalism

• Mexico
• Intensely patriotic
• Pride in history traditions
• Little desire to live elsewhere

• United States
• Intensely patriotic
• Believe in superiority of the American way of
  life

3
Mexico-US Differences Ethics

• Mexico
• Codes based on Christian morality
• Deviance from ethical norms widespread
• Many ways of telling the truth simpatia

• United States
• Strict codes of conduct
• Ethics instilled via schooling
• Pressure to compromise ethics due to competition,
  wealth acquisition

4
Mexico-US Differences Theory vs. Practice

• Mexico
• University training theoretical
• Planning but barriers to implementation
• Worker apathy since projects not realized

• United States
• University training applications of theory
• Solves problems based on facts
• Little theoretical focus on problems encountered

5
Mexico-US Differences Status

• Mexico
• Having degree, title confers respect
• Family background extremely important
• Will choose status over achievement

• United States
• Status based on achievement
• Wealth is symbol of achievement
• Less importance given to family background

6
Mexico-US Differences Personal Sensitivities

• Mexico
• Extremely sensitive
• Conflict avoidance
• Criticism taken personally
• Never criticize in front of friends

• United States
• Suppresses sensitivity
• Accepts work criticism as separate from personal
  criticism

7
Mexico-US Differences Competition

• Mexico
• Cooperative more than competitive
• Value friendly atmosphere free of conflict
• Promotion on influence rather than merit

• United States
• Thrive on stimulus of competition
• Highly ambitious
• Belief that competition leads to efficiencies

8
Mexico-US Differences Planning

• Mexico
• Most planning short-term
• Long-term planning compromised due to
  political/economic uncertainties
• Maquiladoras are exempt from above

• United States
• Long-term planning considered critical to
  business success
• Will sacrifice long-term for short-term

9
Mexico-US Differences Loyalty

• Mexico
• Loyal to the boss
• High loyalty where company has good HR
• Trend toward more self-loyalty

• United States
• Loyal to self first
• Work toward self-development
• Move around for chances of advancement

10
Mexico-US Differences Attitudes about Time

• Mexico
• Manana
• Less time pressure
• Time commitments less important
• Lack of punctuality socially OK

• United States
• Time is money
• Constant pressure to meet time commitments
• Lack of punctuality is disgrace
• Life moves by the clock

11
Mexico-US Differences Religion

• Mexico
• Mostly Roman Catholic
• Mother responsible for childrens religious
  training
• Lives controlled by higher power
• Businesses see religion as positive force

• United States
• Diverse religious backgrounds
• Protestant ethic dominates
• Belief in separation of church state
• Religion not brought into workplace

12
Mexico-US Differences Family

• Mexico
• Takes precedence over other aspects of life
• Resistance to moving away from family
• Father is authority
• Children dependent

• United States
• Family subordinate to work
• Executive is mobile
• Family authority is shared
• Children taught independence/self-sufficiency

13
Mexico-US Differences Work Leisure

• Mexico
• Work to live
• Mix business with pleasure
• Leisure time is very important
• Work is necessary evil
• Try to incorporate pleasure into work day

• United States
• Live to work
• Sacrifice family time for work
• Work is intrinsically satisfying
• Dont mix business with pleasure
• Leisure is reward for work completed