ARGENTINAARGENTINAARGENTINE REPUBLIC ARGENTINE REPUBLIC

MSE608AMSE608A

CHANDRESH BHATICHANDRESH BHATI

99thth MARCH MARCH 20092009

DemographicsDemographics Independence:9 July 1816 (from Spain) Independence:9 July 1816 (from Spain)

23 Federation states and 1 Autonomous City (Buenos 23 Federation states and 1 Autonomous City (Buenos Aires)Aires)

2nd Largest in SA and 8th Largest in world (Land Area)2nd Largest in SA and 8th Largest in world (Land Area)

Population: 40.482million (July 2008)Population: 40.482million (July 2008)

Life expectancy (2008)Life expectancy (2008)– total population: 76.36 yearstotal population: 76.36 years– male: 73.11 yearsmale: 73.11 years– female: 79.77 yearsfemale: 79.77 years

Ethnic groups:Ethnic groups:– white (mostly Spanish and Italian) 97%, mestizo (mixed white (mostly Spanish and Italian) 97%, mestizo (mixed

white and Amerindian ancestry), Amerindian, or other white and Amerindian ancestry), Amerindian, or other non-white groups 3%non-white groups 3%

Religions:Religions:– Roman Catholic 92%, Protestant 2%, Jewish 2%, other Roman Catholic 92%, Protestant 2%, Jewish 2%, other

4%4%

Languages:Languages:– Spanish (official), Italian, English, German, FrenchSpanish (official), Italian, English, German, French

Literacy: (2001 census) Literacy: (2001 census) – total population: 97.2%total population: 97.2%– male: 97.2%male: 97.2%– female: 97.2%female: 97.2%

Currency (code): Argentine peso (ARS) Currency (code): Argentine peso (ARS)

Exchange rates: Exchange rates: – 1 USD = 3.64 ARS1 USD = 3.64 ARS– 1 ARS = 0.28 USD1 ARS = 0.28 USD

TimeTime

SummerSummer– 4 hours ahead than US4 hours ahead than US

WinterWinter– 6 hours ahead than US6 hours ahead than US

Hofstede’s AnalysisHofstede’s Analysis

Power Index: HighPower Index: High

Individualism index: Low Individualism index: Low

Uncertainty Avoidance: HighUncertainty Avoidance: High

TradeTrade Exports: $73 billion (2008 est.)Exports: $73 billion (2008 est.)

– Commodities: soybeans and derivatives, petroleum and Commodities: soybeans and derivatives, petroleum and gas, vehicles, corn, wheat gas, vehicles, corn, wheat

– Partners: Brazil 19.1%, China 9.4%, US 7.9%, Chile 7.6%Partners: Brazil 19.1%, China 9.4%, US 7.9%, Chile 7.6%

Imports: $59.9 billion (2008 est.) Imports: $59.9 billion (2008 est.) – Commodities: machinery, motor vehicles, petroleum and Commodities: machinery, motor vehicles, petroleum and

natural gas, organic chemicals, plastics natural gas, organic chemicals, plastics – Partners: Brazil 34.6%, US 12.6%, China 12%, Germany Partners: Brazil 34.6%, US 12.6%, China 12%, Germany

5% 5%

MercosurMercosur Full membersFull members

– ArgentinaArgentina– BrazilBrazil– ParaguayParaguay– UruguayUruguay

Becoming full membersBecoming full members– VenezuelaVenezuela

Associate membersAssociate members– BoliviaBolivia– ChileChile– ColombiaColombia– EcuadorEcuador– PeruPeru

ObserversObservers– MexicoMexico

Behavior Behavior Long meals and conversation is the norm. Crossing the knife and Long meals and conversation is the norm. Crossing the knife and

fork signal "I am finished". Never pour wine back-handed; it’s fork signal "I am finished". Never pour wine back-handed; it’s considered impolite. When dining, keep your hands on the table, considered impolite. When dining, keep your hands on the table, not in your lapnot in your lap

Don’t put your feet up on any furnitureDon’t put your feet up on any furniture

Eating in the street or on public transportation is considered rudeEating in the street or on public transportation is considered rude

Gifts to be avoided include personal items such as ties and shirts, Gifts to be avoided include personal items such as ties and shirts, leather, and knives. High taxes on imported liquor make this a leather, and knives. High taxes on imported liquor make this a highly appreciated gift; the most popular are scotch and French highly appreciated gift; the most popular are scotch and French champagnechampagne

If the visitor is entertained in the Argentine home, he/she should If the visitor is entertained in the Argentine home, he/she should arrange to send flowers or candy to his hostess. Bird-of-paradise arrange to send flowers or candy to his hostess. Bird-of-paradise flowers are highly prizedflowers are highly prized

A guest should always wait for the host to sit down before sitting, A guest should always wait for the host to sit down before sitting, and to open the door for him before leavingand to open the door for him before leaving

Communications Communications  Handshaking common when meeting for the first timeHandshaking common when meeting for the first time

Titles, especially among the elderly, are very important. Titles, especially among the elderly, are very important.

Persons who do not have professional titles should be Persons who do not have professional titles should be addressed as Mr., Mrs., or Miss, plus their surnames. In addressed as Mr., Mrs., or Miss, plus their surnames. In Spanish these are:Spanish these are:– Mr. = Mr. = SenorSenor – Mrs. = Mrs. = SenoraSenora – Miss = Miss = SenoritaSenorita

Most Hispanics have two surnames: one from their father, Most Hispanics have two surnames: one from their father, which is listed first, followed by one from their mother. Only which is listed first, followed by one from their mother. Only the father’s surname is used when addressing someonethe father’s surname is used when addressing someone

Good conversation topics: soccer, history, culture, home Good conversation topics: soccer, history, culture, home and children, operaand children, opera

Bad conversation topics: religion, Falkland Islands conflictBad conversation topics: religion, Falkland Islands conflict

Business DressBusiness Dress

Business attire is formal and conservative, yet stylishBusiness attire is formal and conservative, yet stylish– Men should wear dark colored, conservative business Men should wear dark colored, conservative business

suitssuits– Women should wear elegant business suits or dressesWomen should wear elegant business suits or dresses– Good quality accessories are important for both sexes. Good quality accessories are important for both sexes.

Dress well if you want to make a good impression. Dress well if you want to make a good impression.

Doing Business Doing Business Business DinnersBusiness Dinners

Personal relationships are important and must be Personal relationships are important and must be developed before business is donedeveloped before business is done

Contracts are lengthy and detailed. A contract is not Contracts are lengthy and detailed. A contract is not final until all of its elements are signed. Any portion can final until all of its elements are signed. Any portion can be re-negotiated. Get everything in writing (Uncertainty be re-negotiated. Get everything in writing (Uncertainty Avoidance)Avoidance)

Decisions are made at the top. Try to arrange meeting Decisions are made at the top. Try to arrange meeting with high-level personnelwith high-level personnel

You should arrive on time for meetings, although the You should arrive on time for meetings, although the person you are meeting may not be punctual Argentines person you are meeting may not be punctual Argentines often need several meetings and extensive discussion to often need several meetings and extensive discussion to make dealsmake deals

Confirm meetings one week in advanceConfirm meetings one week in advance

Avoid confrontationAvoid confrontation

Be alert for nuances and hidden meaningsBe alert for nuances and hidden meanings

If a favor is done for you, you will eventually be If a favor is done for you, you will eventually be called upon to re-pay itcalled upon to re-pay it

Once a relationship has developed, their loyalty Once a relationship has developed, their loyalty will be to you rather than to the company you will be to you rather than to the company you represent represent

They will judge you not only on what you say, but They will judge you not only on what you say, but also on the way you present yourselfalso on the way you present yourself

NegotiationNegotiation Expect to deal with people of similar statusExpect to deal with people of similar status

Tough negotiators. Concessions will not come quickly or Tough negotiators. Concessions will not come quickly or easily. Good relationships with counterparts will shorten easily. Good relationships with counterparts will shorten negotiationsnegotiations

Generally like to have a period of “small talk” before Generally like to have a period of “small talk” before negotiating.negotiating.

Prefer to negotiate in person.Prefer to negotiate in person.

Patience is important.Patience is important.

Argentines have a difficult time disagreeing, so do not Argentines have a difficult time disagreeing, so do not think that things are going well simply because no one think that things are going well simply because no one is challenging what you sayis challenging what you say

Cultural NotesCultural Notes Body language conveys a lot in ArgentinaBody language conveys a lot in Argentina

Try and maintain eye contact even if it feels uncomfortableTry and maintain eye contact even if it feels uncomfortable

Avoid placing your hands on your hips when speaking - this Avoid placing your hands on your hips when speaking - this usually means you are angryusually means you are angry

It is good etiquette to cover your mouth when yawning or It is good etiquette to cover your mouth when yawning or coughingcoughing

If you see someone tapping their middle finger against the If you see someone tapping their middle finger against the thumb this means 'hurry up'. thumb this means 'hurry up'.

Business Card EtiquetteBusiness Card Etiquette

Business cards are given without formal ritualBusiness cards are given without formal ritual

Have one side of your business card translated into SpanishHave one side of your business card translated into Spanish

Present your business card so the Spanish side faces the Present your business card so the Spanish side faces the recipient.recipient.

Holidays in ArgentinaHolidays in Argentina Day of Memory for Truth and Justice: March 24Day of Memory for Truth and Justice: March 24thth

Flag Day: June 20Flag Day: June 20thth

Always the third Monday of the month.Always the third Monday of the month.

Malvinas Day: April 2Malvinas Day: April 2ndnd

16 Public holidays in Argentina16 Public holidays in Argentina

Spring Day (Argentina): September 21Spring Day (Argentina): September 21stst – Informal HolidayInformal Holiday

Note: If the date falls on a Tuesday or Wednesday, the Note: If the date falls on a Tuesday or Wednesday, the holiday is the preceding Monday. If it falls on a Thursday holiday is the preceding Monday. If it falls on a Thursday or a Friday then the holiday is the following Monday.or a Friday then the holiday is the following Monday.

THANK YOUTHANK YOU