Brazil: Cross Cultural Dynamics of Doing Business in Brazil
PART A: Brief History of Brazil
Pedro Cabral first discovered Brazil in 1500, under Portugal sponsorship. After being ruled under Portuguese power for over three centuries, Brazil finally gained independence in 1822. The country preserved a monarchical system of government until 1888, the year in which slavery was finally eliminated. As the country prospered through Brazilian coffee exporters, Getulio Vargas soon rose to power and ruled the country in 1930. Based on the history of Brazil, there was high power distance as Getulio Vargas seized control of the country and politically dominated any rivals (CIA, 2012). There was also an apparent class of wealthy landowners who supported a highly centralized Portuguese state.
Geography
Brazil lies in Eastern South America, bordering the Atlantic Ocean. It is the largest country in South America and the 5th largest country in the world, covering an area of 8,514,877 sq. km (8,459,417 sq. km of land and 55,460 sq. km of water), and has 10 countries around its borders. The land is mostly flat with some rolling lowlands in the north. Its lowest elevation point is the Atlantic Ocean, at 0 m, and its highest point is mountain Pico da Neblina, at 2,994 m. A prevailing environmental issue facing Brazil is deforestation in the Amazon Basin that has destroyed habits and endangered species.
Politics
The current President of Brazil, Dilma Rousseff, is part of the left party Partido dos Trabalhadores. She came into office January 1st, 2011, and has since dismissed seven cabinet ministers and many other government officials who were convicted of corruption such as overbilling on contracts. Ms. Rousseff is also trying to change the current trend of filling senior government jobs through ascription, specifically political connections, to achievement/merit. The president’s legislative agenda in 2012 includes introducing regulations associated with the 2014 World Cup, a reform of the public pension and completing the
Pedro Cabral first discovered Brazil in 1500, under Portugal sponsorship. After being ruled under Portuguese power for over three centuries, Brazil finally gained independence in 1822. The country preserved a monarchical system of government until 1888, the year in which slavery was finally eliminated. As the country prospered through Brazilian coffee exporters, Getulio Vargas soon rose to power and ruled the country in 1930. Based on the history of Brazil, there was high power distance as Getulio Vargas seized control of the country and politically dominated any rivals (CIA, 2012). There was also an apparent class of wealthy landowners who supported a highly centralized Portuguese state.
Geography
Brazil lies in Eastern South America, bordering the Atlantic Ocean. It is the largest country in South America and the 5th largest country in the world, covering an area of 8,514,877 sq. km (8,459,417 sq. km of land and 55,460 sq. km of water), and has 10 countries around its borders. The land is mostly flat with some rolling lowlands in the north. Its lowest elevation point is the Atlantic Ocean, at 0 m, and its highest point is mountain Pico da Neblina, at 2,994 m. A prevailing environmental issue facing Brazil is deforestation in the Amazon Basin that has destroyed habits and endangered species.
Politics
The current President of Brazil, Dilma Rousseff, is part of the left party Partido dos Trabalhadores. She came into office January 1st, 2011, and has since dismissed seven cabinet ministers and many other government officials who were convicted of corruption such as overbilling on contracts. Ms. Rousseff is also trying to change the current trend of filling senior government jobs through ascription, specifically political connections, to achievement/merit. The president’s legislative agenda in 2012 includes introducing regulations associated with the 2014 World Cup, a reform of the public pension and completing the
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