A few problems have been encountered at SAN which may, in part at least, be cultural in origin. For each of the problems identified below, attempt to suggest a plausible cultural explanation.

a Problem: the French, who make up the vast majority of the workforce, are not natural team players. Perhaps the real problem is that neither are the Swedish!

b Problem: cluster managers oppose a reduction in their ‘territory’ as new clusters are added.

c Problem: rapid expansion has led to a reduction in socialisation training: a few workers have experienced problems fitting in.

d Problem: (i) there is some confusion among employees over hierarchical grade and pay and status differentials; e.g. two specialist engineers are unwilling to work alongside as ‘equals’ with the half-dozen technicians; and (ii) workers in clusters are not hierarchically graded and have no official title. Many want to be given a title with an associated grade like their colleagues in other French firms.
e Problem: some French managers tend to put a great deal of effort into paperwork which is of marginal value. As one Swedish manager put it, ‘they produce lots of stuff which is done very well but serves little purpose [whereas]
we do practical things but don’t necessarily do it well’.