While in Latin countries stability and loyalty to the firm plays an important role (Spain is the European country with the highest proportion of couples owning their own homes – 60%), in Holland is the workforce mobility considerably higher. In Germany is executive mobility basic precondition for career development. National culture determines the perceived role of management. In such a strongly paternalistic society as in Italy, a manager is expected to provide answer for all questions of her subordinates. This is in contrary with countries of the northern Europe, especially Sweden, where the manager would conduct group discussions in view to reach a common solution. Another culturally determined aspect is the perception of time and its influence upon work organization. While Latin nations are considered to be polychromatic, Germans and Nations of northern Europe are strictly monochromatic. That means, Germans are unlikely to perform more activities simultaneously, rather reserving undisturbed period of time to completion of more demanding tasks and respect agreed upon program strictly. On the other hand, in the south of Europe it is considered desirable to be able to switch between more activities, to be latitudinal with regard to time delays and appointments. . Broad comparison of US and European Management
1. Managerial discretion
In Europe the liberty of choice with regard to managerial issues is generally more limited compared to US. Cultural values, legislature and industrial relations are underlying factors to this constraint. American culture scores high on the individualism dimension, as defined by Hofstede.(4)
In the US, the weakness of obligations and legal protection concerning professional life together with mobility oriented workforce leads to relatively quick and frequent recruitment or dismissal decisions. Departure can take place only few days after giving the notice of dismissal. On the other hand in Europe a significant transition period is required in case of leaving the company or explicit serious grounds in case of dismissal. (3)
Management enjoys autonomous decision-making position in the US. In Europe, managers are more constraint by legislation in various areas, employee participation systems (as is co-determination in Germany) and trade unions. In some European countries there is legislation stipulating in which decisions workforce committees or trade unions bodies should be involved (France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, etc.).