Perception of Russian employees’ culture by Western managers of Western subsidiaries in Russia

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to analyze perception of Russian national culture by Western managers in Western subsidiaries in Russia. Design/methodology/approach Interpretivist analysis of narratives have been collected by the authors by interviewing several Western managers in Russian subsidiaries, based on concepts of E.T. Hall. Findings We globally found more examples of high context than low context, but also of “hybrid context,” as well as more examples of polychrony than monochrony, and a mixture of polychrony and monochrony, the authors call “hybridchronie.” They show implications of socio-economic change in society, organizational structure and work hierarchical relationship, generation effect and importance of clans. Research limitations/implications Limits of cultural analysis. Use of interviews (narratives) then bias of perception. Current changes in Russian society. Differences between generations in Russia and multi-ethnicity of Russia. Practical implications Danger of stereotypes in management. Implications for management. Social implications Danger of stereotypes in perceptions and social life. Originality/value Qualitative, interpretivist approach based on in-depth interviews.