Research d’Iribarne

The French researcher Philip d’Iribarne demonstrated the interconnection of national and corporate cultures (Iribarne 1998). He researched three identical aluminium smelters in France, the United States and the Netherlands and found that although the three are technically identical (same raw materials, same machines, same production), in practice they function quite differently. An example of his work makes this clear. For a Frenchman, a job is a matter of honour. If he has to work overtime, he feels bounded by honour do the so. For the Americans, it is an entirely different issue. The Americans have an individualistic culture, where everything has to be defined explicitly (low-context communication). This is why they have detailed contracts in America. When an American has to work overtime, he looks to the conditions in the contract to see whether that can be asked of him. Conditions fulfilled? Then it’s okay. And what does the Dutchman? He will polder (sit together and discuss). Anyone agree? Let’s go. The Dutch translation of the work of D’Iribarne is called therefore honour, contract and consensus.