Telenor Xpress 4 - 2000

Co-operation the Nordic way

Why is the teamwork management style more common in Scandinavia than in other parts of the world?

According to Rita Mårtenson, author of Business Relations in Europe and professor of business administration at the Gothenburg School of Business Administration in Sweden, Scandinavian countries tend to have horizontal cultures in which there is little difference between the various levels of the hierarchy. "Staff members tend to work independently and take the initiative to implement a project, while executives are not usually required to supervise or issue orders," she says. "That creates a good atmosphere for teamwork." By contrast, she explains, the USA features a vertical culture that cultivates the elite. "While Americans often do things their own way and become specialists in particular areas, Scandinavians tend to be gen-eralists and more group-oriented."

DEMOCRACY IS DECISIVE
Mårtenson believes management structure reflects the society in which a company operates. In Scandinavia, for example, social democracy has deep roots. Everyone has access to higher education, and there is an expectation that governments will guarantee the welfare of its citizens from cradle to grave. "In many countries, people and companies have to fend for themselves," Mårtenson says.

AT WHAT PRICE?
Although there are numerous advantages to flat corporate cultures, this form of organisation also has its weaknesses. It does not necessarily always bring out the best in individuals and it can lead to lengthy decisionmaking processes. "Things take time when there are many players involved and everyone is entitled to an opinion. On the other hand, implementation is lubricated by consensus," says Mårtenson. "The pattern is the opposite in countries with vertical cultures. In other parts of Europe, implementation takes time because people have not had a voice in decisions. They lack a sense of 'ownership' in the company."

Mårtenson also says that interpersonal conflicts are also less likely to occur in companies with a flat management structure. "In Scandinavia, it is perfectly acceptable to be friends with the boss," she says. "That can help create a positive and productive work environment."



Text by: Torunn Dillan Pedersen