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Lebanon Cultural

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Explain cultural differences that could cause misperception and a lack of effective business dealing in Lebanon. Remember that Lebanon has several ethnicities. Remember to address which one you are referring to.

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This solution explains cultural differences that could cause misperception and a lack of effective business dealing in Lebanon.

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. Explain cultural differences that could cause misperception and a lack of effective business dealing in Lebanon. Remember that Lebanon has several ethnicities. Remember to address which one you are referring to.
Lebanon shares many of the cultural characteristics of the Arab world, yet it has attributes that differentiate it from many of its Arab neighbours. Its rugged, mountainous terrain has served throughout history as an asylum for diverse religious and ethnic groups and for political dissidents. Lebanon is one of the most densely populated countries in the Mediterranean area and has a high rate of literacy. Lebanon has a heterogeneous society composed of numerous ethnic, religious, and kinship groups. Long-standing attachments and local communalism antedate the creation of the present territorial and political entity and continue to survive with remarkable tenacity. Ethnically the Lebanese compose a mixture in which Phoenician, Greek, Armenian, and Arab elements are discernible. Within the larger Lebanese community, ethnic minorities including Armenian and Kurdish populations are also present. (http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/334152/Lebanon/23415/Cultural-life)
Historically, Lebanon ---is heir to a long succession of Mediterranean cultures—Phoenician, Greek, and Arab. Its cultural milieu continues to show clear manifestations of a rich and diverse heritage. As an Arab country, however, Lebanon shares more than a common language with neighbouring Arab states; it also has a similar cultural heritage and common interests, which will need to be considered in business, especially for the Muslim populations, but it is considered a collective society, which also differs from United States individualistic society on many important business dimensions, that could lead to misunderstanding, such as communication styles, business etiquette, women's role in society, to name a few, and which are expanded on below. (http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/334152/Lebanon/23415/Cultural-life)
Geert Hofstede's Cultural Analysis
The ethnic/religious group that will be more than likely to create misunderstandings are the Arabs who follow the Islam religion in Lebanon. Therefore, religion and politics are closely related. However, although there are some differences between Lebanon and the other neighbouring countries, this analysis is for the Arab World, that includes the countries of Egypt, Iraq, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, for example, demonstrates the Muslim faith plays a significant role in the people's lives. As compared to the United States, there are some significant differences directly related to the Muslim faith and collective society as shown in the graph below. The differences are described below.

From http://www.geert-hofstede.com/hofstede_dimensions.php?culture1=4&culture2=95#compare
For Lebanon (as part of the Arab world):
The dimensions of ...

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