Cultural comparison of Syria and Egypt

FOM Hochschule für Ökonomie & Management Essen Location:

Stuttgart

Course of studies:

International Management (B.A.)

4. Semester

Term paper:

Intercultural Competencies

Cultural comparison of Syria and Egypt

Supervising tutor:

Dr. Milenka Plavec

Written by:

Maher Hamid

Address:

Steckfeldstr. 44 70599 Stuttgart

Student ID:

352056

Date of Submission:

19. Mai 2015

I

Content Content ............................................................................................................................. I List of Figures ............................................................................................................... III List of abbreviation ...................................................................................................... IV 1

Introduction ............................................................................................................. 1

2

Factsheet comparison: Syria and Egypt ............................................................... 2 2.1

Basic Information .............................................................................................. 2

2.2

Ethnic groups .................................................................................................... 3

2.3

Language ........................................................................................................... 3

2.4

Religion ............................................................................................................. 4

2.5

Population ......................................................................................................... 5

2.6

History of the 20th Century................................................................................ 6

3

Economy ................................................................................................................... 7

5

Culture ..................................................................................................................... 8 Syria .............................................................................................................................. 8 Egypt ............................................................................................................................. 8

6

Hofstede’s Dimensions .......................................................................................... 10 6.1

Power Distance................................................................................................ 11

6.2

Individualism .................................................................................................. 12

6.3

Masculinity...................................................................................................... 13

6.4

Uncertainty Avoidance.................................................................................... 13

6.5

Lang Term Orientation .................................................................................... 14

6.6

Indulgence ....................................................................................................... 14

Maher Hamid “Cultural comparison of Syria and Egypt”

II

7

Arab business Etiquette and culture ................................................................... 15 7.1

Greeting ........................................................................................................... 15

7.2

Clothing ........................................................................................................... 15

7.3

Language ......................................................................................................... 15

7.4

Business Meeting ............................................................................................ 16

7.5

Business Card .................................................................................................. 16

7.6

Gifts ................................................................................................................. 16

8

Possible conflicts within contract negotiations ................................................... 17

9

Conclusion.............................................................................................................. 18

Literature ....................................................................................................................... 19 Sources ........................................................................................................................... 20 Declaration in lieu of oath ............................................................................................ 21

Maher Hamid “Cultural comparison of Syria and Egypt”

III

List of Figures Figure 9: Syria in comparison with Egypt (Geert Hofstede 2015b, p 1) ........................ 10

Maher Hamid “Cultural comparison of Syria and Egypt”

IV

List of abbreviation cp.

Compare

et al.

Et alii / and others

ff.

and the following pages

fig.

figure

n.d.

not dated

no.

number

p.

page

pp

pages

pers. comm.

Personal communication

URL

Uniform Resource Locator

N.N..

no name, author unknown

----

place unknown

B.C.

before Christ

A.D.

after death

R.A.

May Allah be pleased with him/her/them. (This term is most commonly used whenever the name of a companion of the Prophet Muhammad is mentioned.)

est.

established

Maher Hamid “Cultural comparison of Syria and Egypt”

Introduction

1

Introduction

Due to the actual situation in the Middle East and the massive transmigration, there will be big challenges. This term paper will compare two Arab countries, Egypt and Syria, by applying Hofstede’s six dimensions and primary research. My family is from Syria and is also called “Shamies” (people who are from Damascus). They migrated to Cairo because of the situation in Syria. They set up a branch of their ice cream company Omaya Ice Cream Al Sham Ice Cream. Living in Cairo is not difficult for Syrian people but the business world is difficult because of the different work ethic in Egypt and Syria. Syrian people are known as “the Germans of the middle east” and Egyptians are similar to French because they love to strike and be individualistic. Those different personalities / cultures make it challenging to establish companies. In the following chapters of this term paper general facts about Syria and Egypt will be illuminated, such information as population number, religion and economic growth and so on. After that, there will be a culture comparison with the six dimensions of Hofstede.

Maher Hamid “Cultural comparison of Syria and Egypt”

1

Factsheet comparison: Syria and Egypt

2

2

Factsheet comparison: Syria and Egypt

2.1

Basic Information

Syria

Egypt

Syria as we know it today starts after the Egypt is a country overloaded with history First World War, once the Ottoman and geography, a history overwhelming Empire fell apart. It was in the early period yet inspiring, a geography restricting yet of

the

Ottomans

when

Syria

was life-giving. It was able to develop so well

independent for a short time. 1920 France because of the annual Nile river flood and got a mandate over Syria (former northern with semi-isolation provided by deserts, part of the Ottmann Empire, called allowing the development of a great province Syria). This mandate held until civilization. After King Fu’ād resign in 1946. After that date, Syria got its 1952, a republic was established one year independence back and the political later. It turns out that the most powerful destabilization starts and ends in a series man of the regime was colonel Gamal of military annexations. After that the Bath Abdel Nasser and he became president in Party, which was formed out of a radical 1954. The establishment of many new wing of the Arab Socialist party, came to social policies supports the new regime in power in 1971. The leader was Hafez al- Egypt. (cp. (Central Intelligence Agency: Assad, the father of the actual president Office of Public Affairs 2015a) p.1; Bashar

al-Assad.

(cp.

(Central Hopwood 1993, S. 1).

Intelligence Agency: Office of Public Affairs 2015b, S. 1)).

Maher Hamid “Cultural comparison of Syria and Egypt”

Factsheet comparison: Syria and Egypt

2.2

3

Ethnic groups

Syria

Egypt

In Syria are many ethnic groups, religions In Egypt the dominant ethnic group is the and languages represented.

The ethnic Egyptian one with

groups are divided in 90,3 % Arab, Kurds, percentage

of

0,4,

99,6 % and a which

includes

Armenian and other 9,7 % (cp. Central Armenian, Mennonite and others. This Intelligence Agency: Office of Public numbers are est. in 2006 (cp. (Central Affairs 2015, p 3).

Intelligence Agency: Office of Public Affairs 2015a, S. 3)).

2.3

Language

Syria

Egypt

Because this country has a wide variety of The main language is Arabic, which is the ethnic groups, many languages are spoken official

language.

French

is

well

such as Arabic, which is the official understood in the population because it is language. Kurdish, Armenian and Aramaic very important in school due to the former is spoken by the Christian minority, colonization of France (cp.

(Central

Circassian, French and English is well Intelligence Agency: Office of Public understood

(cp.

Central

Intelligence Affairs 2015a, S. 3)).

Agency: Office of Public Affairs 2015, p 3).

Maher Hamid “Cultural comparison of Syria and Egypt”

Factsheet comparison: Syria and Egypt

2.4

4

Religion

Syria

Egypt

Syria is a mainly Muslim country. Of the The major religion is Islam, predominantly 87 % Muslims are 74 % Sunni, the rest Sunni, in Egypt with a percentage of 90 %, belongs to various Islamic sects. 10 % of this manifest itself by the predominantly the population considers itself to be Muslim lifestyle and the high density of Christian who belong to the Orthodox of mosques. The minority of 10 % is Antioch. A small community of 3 %, represented by the Christians including the Druze living in the Jabal al-Druze. It is Armenian, which still speak Aramaic. The particularly striking as the most diverse Apostolic, Catholic, Maronite, Anglican religious communities to 'accumulate' in and Orthodox are related to the Coptic certain areas. For example most Alawites Orthodox Church and is the descendant of live in the rural area of Jabal and the churches associated with the early Nusayriyah, almost 80% of the population Christian Patriarchate of Alexandria. It is belong to them here. Religion plays a the main Christian church in Egypt. Its major role in each Syrian life. The theology is monophysite, holding that in influence

of

Islam

can

be

seen Jesus Christ there is only one nature, both

everywhere, for example at every major human and divine and Anglican. This intersection you find a mosque and you numbers are est. in 2012 (cp. (Central here the Adhān (the call to pray from the Intelligence Agency: Office of Public Muezzin)

(cp.

(Central

Intelligence Affairs 2015a, S. 3)).

Agency: Office of Public Affairs 2015b, S. 3)).

Maher Hamid “Cultural comparison of Syria and Egypt”

Factsheet comparison: Syria and Egypt

2.5

5

Population

Syria

Egypt

The total population is 17,951,639 based The current population is 86,895,099 on the data of the census of population based on the data of the census of July 2014. The population has a growth population 2014 increasing by 1,6% per ratio of 2 Present yearly. (cp. Central year (cp. (Central Intelligence Agency: Intelligence Agency: Office of Public Office of Public Affairs 2015a, S. 3)). Affairs 2015, p 3).

Maher Hamid “Cultural comparison of Syria and Egypt”

Factsheet comparison: Syria and Egypt

2.6

Syria

6

History of the 20th Century

Egypt

The Bath Party and the al-Assad dynasty, For the activity to be involved in warfare which was formed out of a radical wing of this period was essential for Egypt. Egypt the Arab Socialist party, came to power in got into the Six-Day War in 1967 against 1971. The leader was Hafez al-Assad, the Israel. This was the time the Israeli army father of the actual president Bashar al- overran the rest of Palestine and took over Assad. In 1982 he wiped out thousands of the Sinai Peninsula. This defeat was very members of the opposition represented by shameful,

because

Egypt

and

Syria

the Muslim Brotherhood organization / founded the UAR (United Arab Nation) to party and the people of Hama with it, prevent the Israeli expansion, but they known as “Massacre of Hama” (Hopwood caused what they wanted to prevent. 1988, S. 54–55; Eleanor Stanford 2015, S. Colonel Gamal Abdel Nasser died in 1970 2–3). The dictatorial government and strict and after him Anwar el-Sadat became laws he averted the political anarchy and president. He negotiated with Israel, to the civil war which took over in the make peace and to recover the Sinai after Middle Eastern country’s, for example in the fourth war in 1973 against them. Lebanon (cp. Eleanor Stanford 2015, S. 3). Under the governance of Sadat, many With 99,9 % Hafez al-Assad has won his socials reforms made by Abdel Nasser, fourth election in 1992 (cp. Eleanor were discarded or were frozen. In 1981 Stanford 2015, S. 3). In the 1990s, in the Anwar el-Sadat died by assassination and time of Gulf War the government decided was directly replaced by his vice president to join the Anti-Iraq coalition, because Hosni Mubarak, wo was elected than for a they wanted to win the approval of the fourth six-year term in September 1999. USA, while the required to be taken out of Going back in time, all four Egyptian the list of nation, who support presidents were man of the military and international terrorism (cp. Eleanor today after the Arab Spring revolution and Stanford 2015, S. 3). the dismissal of the President Mohammad

Maher Hamid “Cultural comparison of Syria and Egypt”

Economy

7

2000 Hafez al-Assad died and the younger Mursi, who was elected by democratic one of his two sons become president, elections, by Abd al-Fattah as-Sisi, again a because his older brother Bassel al-Assad military man on the top of the Egyptian was killed by a automobile accident in governance. (cp. Eleanor Stanford 2015, 1994 (Hopwood 1988, S. 54–55; Eleanor pp 4-5). Stanford 2015, S. 2–3).

3

Economy

Syria

Egypt

The gross domestic product (GPD) rises The gross domestic product (GPD) rises steadily since 2009, a GPD of 97,03 progressively since 2012 a GPD of 906 billion US Dollar in 2010, a GDP of 110,1 billion US Dollar and in 2013 of 925 billion US Dollar at the beginning of the billion US Dollar. In 2014 is a relatively Arab Spring 2011 where is dropped to big step to 945,4 billion US Dollar. This 107,6 billion US Dollar. The civil war is data based on the data of 2014. GDP per the reason why the economy is getting capita in 2012 is 11,100 Dollar and worse. The GDP per capita is 5200 Dollar reminds stable until 2014 (cp. Central in 2010, in 2011 dropped a 100 Dollar Intelligence Agency: Office of Public down to 5100 Dollar. Due to the war there Affairs 2015, p 7). is no more information available since then. (cp. Central Intelligence Agency: Office of Public Affairs 2015, p 7).

Maher Hamid “Cultural comparison of Syria and Egypt”

Culture

5

8

Culture

Syria

The

Egypt

Syrian

culture

attaches

great In Egypt is an enormous gap between the

importance to family, religion and their very wealthy and the very poor. The own progress.

Today traditional dances culture encourages to differ the weak, poor

and celebrations from ancient times can or subaltern to the rich and powerful in still be found, for example when a baby is terms

of

speech,

born, there is a special party for it. Syria is acquiescence.

The

posture,

differences

and among

proud of its traditional poetry, the oral as individuals and families in Egypt can be well as written. Syrian writers come long represented by income level or source of in the Arab-speaking world in great income. They can also be represented in reviews. They are an important factor in choices of consumption style—housing, the literary world in the 20th century, transport,

dress,

language,

education,

which is strongly influencing the culture. music and the like. Marriage negotiations It is known as the al-Nahda period. The bring all these differences of interest and different political situations always formed income to the forefront. What is less the Syrian literature. A police state strictly evident in Egypt is a strong class censors and many of the works can-not be consciousness that might turn potential published. This means that many Syrian classes into real ones. One finds only writers are going abroad and spread their broad and loose categories that are the books and thereby their culture. Some subject of much public discussion The adopted the Victorian style and make increasing prosperity of Egypt means that entirely new directions, which includes the the middle class is increasing in relative ruling class and its laws (cp. Hopwood size, while the gap between the top and the 1988, S. 166–181).

bottom is increasing. One-third of the population is below a poverty line established by the Egyptian government.

Maher Hamid “Cultural comparison of Syria and Egypt”

9

The growing middle class aspires to a home, a car, and marriage and family life and increasingly is able to achieve this (cp. (Nicholas S. Hopkins, Reem Saad 2015, S. 9)).

Maher Hamid “Cultural comparison of Syria and Egypt”

Hofstede’s Dimensions

6

Hofstede’s Dimensions

In the following chapter, Syria and Egypt will be compared with the help of Geert Hofstede’s six Dimensions. Equipped with an enormous database of cultural statistics, Hofstede analyzed the results and found differences, which he categorized in those six different dimensions. Simultaneously, he did research on employees of IBM only, which allowed him to attribute the patterns to national differences in culture. This categorization reduced the problems of differences in company culture.

Figure 1: Syria in comparison with Egypt ((Geert Hofstede 2015b, S. 1))

Maher Hamid “Cultural comparison of Syria and Egypt”

10

Hofstede’s Dimensions

6.1

Power Distance

„With a high score of 80, Syria is a hierarchical society“ (Geert Hofstede 2015b). This dimension shows that people accept a hierarchical order and where each person has a position within the society without a need of further validation. The hierarchical pyramid in a company is seen as reflecting natural imbalances, centralization is popular. The managing director assumes to be told what to do, while the ideal boss is a benevolent autocrat (cp. Geert Hofstede 2015b, S. 1). In comparison to Syria, „Egypt scores high on this dimension (score of 70)“ (Geert Hofstede 2015a, S. 1), therefore there is just a 10 point difference which means that they are not much different to the Syrians. Similar to that, society agrees to a hierarchical order in which everybody has a place and which needs no further justification (cp. Geert Hofstede 2015a, S. 1).

Maher Hamid “Cultural comparison of Syria and Egypt”

11

Hofstede’s Dimensions

6.2

Individualism

The „score of 35 in this dimension“ (Geert Hofstede 2015b, S. 1) is compared to the 100 possible points very low. It shows that the Syrians have a collectivistic society. In other words, longstanding association with the extended family tribe. It means that loyalty in this collectivist culture is dominant and overrules most other social rules and regulations. Every person takes responsibility for related members of their tribe, which also generates a strong connection between those people. In this kind of society, offence leads to shame and the loss of face. The relationship between Management and employee is perceived in moral terms. Hiring and promotion results take account of the worker’s in-group and organization is the leading of groups (cp. Geert Hofstede 2015b, S. 1). In relation to Syria, Egypt has 10 points less in power distance. This is visible in a durable binder to the tribe / extended family. Like in Syria also loyalty, honor and respect is unmistakable in a close semi permanent duty to the part 'gathering', be it a family, or people how are not directly related (cp. Geert Hofstede 2015b, S. 1). That is the reason loyalty in a collectivist society is prevailing, as in Egypt and Syria, and overrules societal tenets and regulations. The general public receives solid connections where everybody assumes liability for kindred individuals from their gathering. In collectivist social orders offense prompts disgrace and loss of face, executive / worker connections are seen in good terms (like a family connection), procuring and advancement choices make note of the representative's in-gathering and administration is the administration of groups (cp. Geert Hofstede 2015a, S. 1).

Maher Hamid “Cultural comparison of Syria and Egypt”

12

Hofstede’s Dimensions

6.3

13

Masculinity

With a transitional „score of 52“ (Geert Hofstede 2015b, S. 1) Syria has not a visibly defined tendency in masculinity dimension. A score clearly more than 50 is by definition masculine. A masculine society is defined as „driven by competition, achievement and success, with success being defined by the winner/best in field – a value system that starts in school and continues throughout organizational behavior“ (Geert Hofstede 2015b, S. 1). However, a score makeable under 50 implies that a society is feminine. Feminine society is distinct as „dominant values in society are caring for others and quality of life. A feminine society is one where quality of life is the sign of success and standing out from the crowd is not admirable“ (Geert Hofstede 2015b, S. 1). Unlike Syria, Egypt has a clear tendency to a famine society with a score of 45. In feminine societies, the concentration is on a balanced working live, where the life has a higher priority than work. Society charges fairness, executives attempt for harmony, people value quality and commonality in their employment. By negotiation and compromise, conflicts get solved. Flexibility and free time for personal and working live are favored (cp. Geert Hofstede 2015a, S. 1). „Focus is on well-being, status is not shown. An effective manager is a supportive one, and decision making is achieved through involvement“ (Geert Hofstede 2015a, S. 1). 6.4

Uncertainty Avoidance

Syria has a „score of 60“ (Geert Hofstede 2015b, S. 2) in uncertainty avoidance and is defined as very high. It indicates to elevated preference for „codes of belief“ (Geert Hofstede 2015b, S. 2), and are against „unorthodox behavior and ideas“

(Geert

Hofstede 2015b, S. 2). In this society the „need for rules“ (Geert Hofstede 2015b, S. 2) is rooted as well as social values, such as „work hard, precision and punctuality“ (Geert Hofstede 2015b, S. 2) and business values like „time is money, […] precision“ (Geert Hofstede 2015b, S. 2) „work hard […] punctuality“ (Geert Hofstede 2015b, S. 2). But the view of innovation is incredulous because „security is an important element in individual motivation“ (Geert Hofstede 2015b, S. 2). In comparison to Syria, Egypt has a high score of 80 (cp. Geert Hofstede 2015a)) in this dimension. This country has a significant „emotional need“ (Geert Hofstede 2015a, S. 2) for rules in social and business life, just like Syria but much more distinctive. Maher Hamid “Cultural comparison of Syria and Egypt”

Hofstede’s Dimensions

6.5

Lang Term Orientation

A Score of 30 in long term orientation means that Syria is a normative culture. This society believes in absolute truth and has a great anxiety. The people are normative in their thinking, exhibit great respect for traditions and have reasonably small propensity to save for the future, they therefore have an effort on achieving quick results (cp. Geert Hofstede 2015b). Egypt with a score of seven has, towards Syria, an even lower oriented civilization in the future, which means it is a society that is „very normative“ (Geert Hofstede 2015a, S. 2). Societies like this have a strong concern with establishing the absolute truth. They are normative in their thinking, exhibit great respect for traditions, a relatively small tendency to save for the future and a concentrate on accomplish quick results (cp. Geert Hofstede 2015a). 6.6

Indulgence

Indulgence is referred to as „the extent to which people try to control their desires and impulses“ (Geert Hofstede 2015b, S. 2). For Syria „is currently no score for Syria in this dimension“ (Geert Hofstede 2015b, S. 2). A „very low score of 4“ (Geert Hofstede 2015a, S. 2), shows that the Egyptians are a very isolated nation. Civilizations with a low score in indulgence have a trend to „cynicism and pessimism“ (Geert Hofstede 2015a, S. 2). Unemotional societies as this one, do not put much importance on spare time and control the satisfaction of their wishes (cp. Geert Hofstede 2015a). „People with this orientation have the perception that their actions are restrained by social norms and feel that indulging themselves is somewhat wrong.“ (Geert Hofstede 2015a, S. 2).

Maher Hamid “Cultural comparison of Syria and Egypt”

14

Arab business etiquette and culture

7 7.1

Arab business etiquette and culture Greeting

There are specific ways of greeting people. In case of greeting a man, a handshake or a kiss is appropriate. Women shake hands only when men offer their hand. Making an approach towards the clients or hosts is professional. (cp. N.N. 2015) Also Muslim people rarely use a "hello" or a "hi" while greeting people. They use the phrase "Assalamo Alaikum" which means, "may God's peace prevail on you and you remain blessed with the happiness and good health." (cp. N.N. 2015). 7.2

Clothing

The dress code is very important. Visitors are expected to be suitably attired in a business suit, to follow Arab discretion standards. Despite the country’s hot temperatures, most of the body must remain covered. Wearing Arabian traditional clothing, every Arabian country has its own traditional clothing, may be seen as offensive to the natives (cp. N.N. 2015). 7.3

Language

Many educated Arab speak multiple languages but they prefer Arabic. If there is any kind of language barrier, an Arabic interpreter and translator will be needed, to translate documents into Arabic. All kind of handouts that need to be distributed, should be in the Arabic language. While having any kind of casual conversations, people should avoid asking about the health or life of female members such as a wife or a sister. The left hand is not considered as pure and only the right hand should be used to eat food or shake hands. Also certain gestures may appear offensive such as pointing fingers or thumbs up. Those gestures should be avoided completely (cp. N.N. 2015).

Maher Hamid “Cultural comparison of Syria and Egypt”

15

Arab business etiquette and culture

7.4

Business Meeting

The right way to conduct business deals is through lunches or an extended tea or coffee session. Since Arabs will not come directly to the point as westerners do, it will take all your patience talking on a variety of subjects before you get anywhere. They are warm and hospitable. You will be asked many private questions, your host may talk on irrelevant matters but walk the talk, and you will get there. They will touch you to put across a point, wave their hands about and emote. It is all normal (cp. N.N. 2015). Your Arabian host may not commit right away. They will take time to consider and respond so one must have patience. "Inshallah" and "Bokra" are words you will come across meaning "If God Wills" and "Tomorrow". The meanings are never to be taken literally and tomorrow may well be next week in the Arab context. All over the Middle East, afternoons are a time to rest and relax so the hours of 2PM to 5PM should never be used for setting an appointment or calling up anyone or disturbing him under any circumstances. Siesta time is untouchable (cp. N.N. 2015). 7.5

Business Card

Business cards should be printed in English on one side and in Arabic on the other (cp. N.N. 2015). 7.6

Gifts

Any kind of gifts, if offered should be accepted respectfully. Also, it is expected that these gifts are to be uncovered in private rather than in public. Expressing your desire to communicate with any member of the opposite sex is considered to be offensive. So, keep these things in mind while dealing with the Arab people (cp. N.N. 2015).

Maher Hamid “Cultural comparison of Syria and Egypt”

16

Possible conflicts within contract negotiations

8

Possible conflicts within contract negotiations

A

possible

conflict

in

contract

negations

17

between

Egyptian

and

Syrian

businessman/women could be the fixing of a date where a specific project must be finished. To explain this theory a fictive contract negotiation between two businesses from Syria and Egypt will be explained in this chapter. A possible conflict can turn up because Syrians are more long-term orientated than the Egyptians, that fact shows the cultural comparison with Hofstede’s Dimensions. The score of Syria is 30 wherein the score of Egypt is only seven. This contract is about an ice cream machine, which will be built by the Egyptian engineering office and shipped to a Syrian Ice cream company. The agreed delivery date is the 14.06.2015. The preliminary negotiations go very well and it is easy to define the specifications of the machine and a fair price for both business partners. The determining for an exact delivery shows some difficulties. The problem is that the Egyptian wants to set a time period of 2 weeks for the delivery. For them it is not that important when exactly the delivery will be made. However, the Syrian wants to set a more accurate delivery date with a tolerance of three days more or less because of the difficult border control of both countries. This situation brings a big dispute between these two parties because time is money and the Syrian Company has planned everything to immediately set up the machine and start to produce ice cream. The only way to solve this problem is by discussing such details, if possible from face to face. They should set up the arrival of the machine with more days of security if something unforeseen is happening. It is also a way to be more courteous for a business partner, which is more long-term orientated as the other one. For that reason, the Syrians have to explain why they need a more accurate deliver date, because cultures like Egypt have no sympathy for such a stress and hurry.

Maher Hamid “Cultural comparison of Syria and Egypt”

Conclusion

9

Conclusion

The Syrians and the Egyptians are not as different as it looks like. This, I would like to prove in this statement with the 6 Dimensions of Hofstede and the fundamental analysis of both cultures. First, I want to start with the cultural comparison with Hofstede’s Dimensions. In 5 of 6 Dimensions, there is a difference on point of 10 but in the Dimension of Long-term orientation there is a difference of 23 points between Syria and Egypt. Syria has 30 points and Egypt 7, that the culture of Syria is normative and the Egyptian very normative. That means that the Syrian society has an absolute truth and a strong anxiety. People there are normative in there thinking, exhibit great respect for traditions and have reasonably small propensity to save for the future. Therefore they have an effort on succeeding quick results. While Egypt has a society, which is towards Syria, a civilization, that has a low orientation in the future. Society like this has a strong concern with establishing the absolute truth and have a small tendency to save for the future and concentrate on accomplish results. Secondly we will have a look at the fundamental analyses of both. Syria and also Egypt have an enormously long history and also left an impression in the historiography. For example the Pharaonic and the Greco-Roman conquered Egypt and Syria under the first Khalif Abu Bakr R.A. and left marks notably in the city life. In 700 AD, the Arab conquered Egypt and in 635 AD they conquered Syria. The new Religion that came in was Islam. This religion brings in a different style of life and deep connections between this two ancient cultures. This connection is still active, not just between Syria and Egypt, also in the whole Arab world. In Islam, all Muslims are brothers and sisters and the aspect that Islam is not just a religion also a life style. An attempt to re-establish a united Muslim union was the UAN, the United Arab Nation. The founder and the first two members were Syria and Egypt, but this failed because of economic and political disputes. All these fact show in my point of view that the difference between the Syrian and Egyptian culture is not big and there is still a connection between them. In the private view, it is easy for Syrians to live in Egypt and the other way around. But to do business together is not so easy because of the differences in the long-term orientation.

Maher Hamid “Cultural comparison of Syria and Egypt”

18

Conclusion

Literature Hopwood, D 1993, Egypt, politics and society, 1945 - 1990, Routledge, London. Hopwood, D 1988, Syria 1945 [nineteen hundred and forty-five] - 1986. Politics and society, Unwin Hyman, London.

Maher Hamid “Cultural comparison of Syria and Egypt”

19

Conclusion

Sources Central Intelligence Agency: Office of Public Affairs (2015a): Egypt. Hg. v. Central Inelligence Agency. Online verfügbar unter https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/eg.html, zuletzt geprüft am 14.05.2015. Central Intelligence Agency: Office of Public Affairs (2015b): Syria. Hg. v. Central Inelligence Agency. Online verfügbar unter https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/resources/the-world-factbook/geos/sy.html, zuletzt geprüft am 14.05.2015. Eleanor Stanford (2015): Culture of Syria - history, people, clothing, traditions, women, beliefs, food, customs, family. Hg. v. Inc. Advameg. Online verfügbar unter http://www.everyculture.com/Sa-Th/Syria.html, zuletzt geprüft am 11.05.2015. Geert Hofstede (2015a): Egypt - Geert Hofstede. Cultrual Dimensions. Hg. v. the hofstede centre. Online verfügbar unter http://geert-hofstede.com/egypt.html, zuletzt geprüft am 10.05.2015. Geert Hofstede (2015b): Syria - Geert Hofstede. Cultrual Dimensions. Hg. v. the hofstede centre. Online verfügbar unter http://geert-hofstede.com/syria.html, zuletzt geprüft am 11.05.2015. N.N. (2015): Arab Business Etiquettes. Hg. v. arabbusinessetiquette.com. Online verfügbar unter http://arabbusinessetiquette.com/, zuletzt geprüft am 15.07.2015. Nicholas S. Hopkins, Reem Saad (2015): Culture of Egypt - history, people, clothing, traditions, women, beliefs, food, customs, family. Hg. v. Inc. Advameg. Online verfügbar unter http://www.everyculture.com/Cr-Ga/Egypt.html, zuletzt geprüft am 11.05.2015.

Maher Hamid “Cultural comparison of Syria and Egypt”

20

Conclusion

21

Declaration in lieu of oath I hereby declare that I produced the submitted paper with no assistance from any other party and without the use of any unauthorized aids and, in particular, that I have marked as quotations all passages, which are reproduced verbatim or nearby-verbatim from publications. Also, I declare that the submitted print version of this thesis is identical with its digital version. Further, I declare that this thesis has never been submitted before to any examination board in either its present form or in any other similar version. I herewith agree/disagree that this thesis may be published. I herewith consent that this thesis may be uploaded to the server of external contractors for the purpose of submitting it to the contractors’ plagiarism detection systems. Uploading this thesis for the purpose of submitting it to plagiarism detection systems is not a form of publication.

19 July 2015

Maher Hamid “Cultural comparison of Syria and Egypt”

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