Doing Business in Norway

Maturski, Seminarski , Maturalni i diplomski radovi iz ekonomije: menadzment, marketing, finansija, elektronskog poslovanja, internet tehnologija, biznis planovi, makroekonomija, mikroekonomija, preduzetnistvo, upravljanje ljudskim resursima, carine i porezi.


Norway lies west of Sweden and north of Denmark in Scandinavia in the north of Europe. Large mountains, lakes and fjords dominate the Norwegian landscape. The harsh weather conditions have greatly influenced the way Norway works. From the beginning people settled in small groups separated from each other by significant geographical features. This explains all the different dialects and various accents of the Norwegian language. It is also why there are lots of small, very close-knit communities where everybody knows everybody. Till this day Norway is still a small country in this respect, and when two Norwegians from different parts of the country meet for the first time, they are likely to ask something along the lines of “Oh, you’re from Bergen? Do you know Ole?”.

Norway is one of the richest countries in the world, and at the same time one of the smallest. The population is just about to reach 5 million people. Norway is very independent and likes to control its own affairs, which is why it is still reluctant to join the EU.

Norway, Iceland, Switzerland and Liechtenstein are members of EFTA (the European Free Trade Area) and of the joint EU/EFTA economic area, the European Economic Area. Unlike EU-members UK and Ireland, non-EU-members Norway and Iceland are members of the Schengen visa treaty. This means that Norway receives a lot of the same benefits as the EU countries do, without actually being a part of the EU....

DOING BUSINESS IN NORWAY

If one were to sum up the Norwegian communication style it would be informal, transactional and direct.

Due to the influence of egalitarianism, Norwegian business culture lacks airs and graces. On the whole people are generally easy going and informal in business dealings and communication. However, informality does not offer anyone a license to act unprofessionally. It is important to always remain polite and respectful when doing business in Norway.

Although business is transactional in nature, there is still the need to build trust and confidence. This is achieved through building rapport but at the same time providing lots on background information on yourself, experience, qualifications and that of your company. Relationships develop slowly.

Norwegians are straight-talkers and not very emotive. They have no difficulty disagreeing with people or speaking their minds within a business context as this is viewed as separately to personal life. Criticisms and the like are more often than not based on facts rather than opinion. They are scrupulous about honesty in communication, often to the point of pointing out the negatives in their own proposals in greater detail than the positives...