You are the Consultant

You are the Consultant

Spain is as diverse as any other country , especially for non-natives However , several principles of human resources still apply to companies based in Spain where employees are most likely Spanish . These general principles along with specific ones can help improve job satisfaction improve motivation , and increase performance in all departments

First , it should be understood how diversity should be put to an advantage . Differences among employees are nothing new to international businesses . Thus , the differences should be identified and all efforts should be put in understanding them

and putting them in their proper perspectives . For instance , adjusting in the time differences in the work schedules of workers in Spain should be made . The first consideration is that superiors should understand the culture of siesta Because workers used in this culture may find it difficult to go back to work with the same level of energy that they have in the morning managers should promote activities that will perk them up when they go back to work in the afternoon after the siesta break

Hierarchy

Siesta is not the only cultural difference that Spain has over the United States and other countries . The Geert Hofstede Cultural Dimensions (Hofstede , 2003 ) indicate some job-related factors that make Spanish workplaces different from those in the United States . First , the power distance index in Spain is greater than in the United States . This shows that hierarchy is important for Spanish workers . Thus , line of functions if there are any should be closely observed . Superiority should be well respected and job s should be followed . Giving regard to hierarchy is important for the Spanish so non-natives should be sensitive about it to avoid offending them

Assembling teams

Americans are more liberal than the Spanish . This is evident in the high margin that it maintains over Spain in terms of individualism Thus , American workers can be used to speaking out and speaking up while the Spanish can keep restraint and avoid deviance . This can pose a problem for Americans new to Spain especially in the workplaces where team work is essential (Hofstede , 2003

In view of this , Americans should not take it negatively if they find it hard for their Spanish workers to contribute actively at work . While Spanish workers can also exercise initiative , it is not a general practice for them to precede the initiative of their superiors because as mentioned above , they highly regard hierarchy and power distance Americans , thus , should mean well by being more encouraging to their Spanish workers and giving constructive criticism to their initiatives

It should also be noted well that the lack of individualism can make the Spanish sensitive with outright negative criticism . Unlike in the United States , Spanish workers may not take criticism told straight up easily . Americans in Spain should know this so that they may avoid this which can greatly affect the work performance of their workers

Of ethics and culture

Where history was discriminative and regarded women as second-class citizens everywhere once...