Abstract
This chapter describes seven distinct cultural workplace differences between the United States and the Netherlands and discusses practical implications. These differences are directness in language, work life mentality, levels of collaboration, consensus, part-time work, maternity and paternity leave, and how success is defined in the United States versus the Netherlands. Interviews with six expatriates offer additional insights into these differences. The chapter then looks at the effects on women and their career potential and suggests that the Netherlands can offer a more conducive workplace for women than the United States. However, once a woman enters motherhood, our research indicates a shift in Dutch ideology. A mother’s desire to work full-time, part-time, or stay at home can influence which of the two countries better supports her career progression. The United States’ work culture norms better align in the case of a mother that would like to continue to work full-time.
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Hoek, A., Bernhard, F. (2022). The Effects of Work Culture on Women’s Career Advancement: A Comparison Between the Netherlands and the United States. In: Arora, A.S., Jentjens, S., Arora, A., McIntyre, J.R., Sepehri, M. (eds) Managing Social Robotics and Socio-cultural Business Norms. International Marketing and Management Research. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-04867-8_10
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