New ReviewDid you know that gift-giving is not a custom in Singapore in business situations? In fact, it could be construed as bribery. However, it’s perfectly acceptable to give someone, including a business colleague, a modest gift in a social...

New ReviewAs in Western organizations, the corporate structure in multinational companies in Singapore is becoming a lot flatter. On the other hand, staff members in Singapore are more respectful of management than in the West. The hierarchy...

New ReviewLooking for tips for foreign managers in Singapore? To succeed as a manager in Singapore, you must have a basic understanding of the local business culture and its impact on management practices. Learn more about managing in Singapore,...

New ReviewDistinctions among foreign-owned companies tend to depend on the culture of a business’s home country. As a rule, companies owned by Westerners encourage informality, employee participation, and change. American firms tend to institute...

New ReviewFew places rival Singapore in culinary delights. Indeed, the variety and choice in places to dine and dishes to choose from are a source of tremendous pride and the island’s greatest attraction for tourists. Thousands of cafes,...

New ReviewSingaporeans tend to keep business appointments, but that doesn’t mean that they’re always punctual. Unlike other Asians, Singaporeans do not rely on contacts to open doors and set up meetings. Cold-calling by telephone is considered...

New ReviewThere is a generally accepted ethical code in Singapore, and the vast majority of employees adhere to it. Honesty is expected in all transactions, both inside and outside of a company. Incidents of bribery or corruption are virtually...

New ReviewFrom its early days of independence, Singapore set about becoming a major player in the competitive world of international business. Since 1968, the economic growth been enviable, and Singapore is among the most competitive nations in...

New ReviewAs in other countries, there are gestures and words that are considered rude or bad manners in Singapore. Pointing or waving with the forefinger, for example, is taboo. Even something seemingly innocuous like standing with your hands on...

New ReviewTrust is important to the development of successful working relationships in Singapore as elsewhere. However, developing trust may take longer than in some Western cultures. Find out why, and explore some key strategies for fostering...

New ReviewSingapore is truly a multiethnic society. Of Singapore’s population, about 78 percent are Chinese, 14 percent are Malay, and 7 percent are Indian. The remaining group includes a mix of Eurasians, Armenians, Arabs, and a smattering of...

New ReviewSingapore's decision-making practices have been influenced by the island's colonial history and the government's autocratic style. Explore how decision-making is evolving with the younger generation, who value critical thinking and...

New ReviewCustoms among the Singaporeans vary greatly depending on an individual’s ethnicity and religion. Explore how the Chinese celebrate the Chinese New Year, which marks the beginning of the lunar year and is by far the most important annual...

New ReviewTrying to make sense of the currency of Singapore? The unit of currency on the island is the Singapore dollar (S$). One dollar is divided into one hundred cents. Coins come in denominations of five, ten, twenty, and fifty cents. There is...

New ReviewSingapore prides itself on being safe and relatively crime-free. You can go almost anywhere day or night with no fear of being harmed or hassled. Singapore is an especially hospitable place for women traveling alone. It’s unusual for a...

New ReviewMost visitors to Singapore will tell you that the island has no distinct seasons; it’s hot, wet, and wetter. If you ask the locals, they’ll tell you that there are really two seasons—the wet monsoon season at the end of the year and the...

New ReviewBusiness relationships in Singapore are focused primarily on selling products and services and making money, not necessarily on developing personal connections. When business is conducted out of the office over a meal, it’s likely to be...

New ReviewWhen coworkers get together for business lunches, they usually go to local restaurants near the office or factory. Seafood, Thai, and Chinese restaurants are favorites, and steak houses are occasionally visited as well. While dining out,...

New ReviewSingapore has a comprehensive banking system, offering everything from investment to consumer services. In fact, Singapore has become a mutual funds management center, foreign exchange trading center, and regional banking center. In...

New ReviewIn Singapore, there’s a lively after-work scene downtown as locals and expatriates get together for drinks and dinner. The most popular places are Boat Quay and Clarke Quay, situated upstream from the mouth of the Singapore River, and...

New ReviewLike many aspects of Saudi Arabia, the country’s economy is a mix of contradictions. Thanks to its abundant oil reserves, Saudi Arabia is the 19th-largest economy in the world. The country is a member of the G20 and has a per capita...

New ReviewThe legal system of Saudi Arabia is based on Sharia. Sharia is the paramount body of Islamic law, a collection of fundamental principles derived from different sources including the Holy Quran, the Sunna—the sayings and traditions of the...

New ReviewSaudi Arabia is one of only two countries—the other being Vatican City—that do not have a separate legislative body. Political parties are banned, and there is no national legislative body or general elections. Historically, Saudi kings...

New ReviewThe Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is an absolute Islamic monarchy that has been ruled by the Al Saud family since the country’s creation in 1932. The descendant kings serve as both head of state and head of government. All six kings of Saudi...