FORAREA

CENTRE OF EXPERTISE FOR INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION

Fo1B Cultural interaction in foreign business; case studies in the negotiation of culture, power and space in Mexico

Field of work:

A production model has been developed in some northern Mexican companies that is of great interest to foreign businesses because of its low wages overheads. Recently, precisely these firms have exhibited a tendency towards more technologically intensive and complex products and production techniques. In these firms, the question of the qualifications of the workers and their connection to the company is becoming increasingly central. The project assumes that cultural diversity in the Mexican-American border region plays a special role. German business representatives communicate professionally and privately with Mexican, Northern American and Mexican-American individuals. Everyday personal and professional matters (organisation of production, business strategies etc) should be negotiated reciprocally in this area of potential conflict. The goal of the project is to examine this area of tension between foreign businesses and local protagonists.

Grant-aided by:
Bavarian State Ministry for Science, Research and Arts