Understanding Cultural Differences in German-American Business Relationships - Developing a Transatlantic Mindset by learning the Cultural Context in which German and American Companies operate

This work aims to gain insights and validations of predominant conflicts thatare likely to occur in German-American business operations due to culturallydetermined behaviour. By focusing on predominant cultural characteristics ofboth the American and the German culture this work intends to provide athorough understanding of the culturally determined behaviour. Insights intothe evolution of specific cultural aspects as well as their historicalcomponents will help to respect and understand the rational behind Germanand American actions. Moreover by decoding American and Germanpractices into logical patterns this thesis intends to reduce bias and stimulatean understanding and predictability of each other's culturally determinedbehaviour. The insights of this work are intended to equip the reader with acertain degree of cultural sensitivity and to support the development of amulticultural - especially a transatlantic - mindset. If the vital factor culture isunderstood and taken into consideration into the formulation andimplementation of business strategies confusion and conflicts can beavoided or at least be minimized.