Introduction
The National Culture of a nation, or region provides cultural influences on an individual, or group, based on the wider issues of the nation. These may be tangible and very visible, such as geography, or they may be intangible and difficult to define clearly, such as logic. Some cultural characteristics may be infused as a result of living in the environment of the nation, or its neighbors. Other cultural characteristics may result from the thinking and education processes used by the nation.

The national characteristics of different nations are often very well described. Details of these can be found in various official publications, such as legal documents, government statutes and statistics. In addition, they are often the subject of independent publications such as travel guides, business guides.

Influence of Culture
Most of the national characteristics can be considered to be generic to each nation, or region, as well as being tangible. That is, they can be quickly identified and associated with the nation or region, such as the language of Russia, or the religions of the Middle East. The national characteristics are also likely to have a direct impact on any work which is undertaken within the locations of nations exhibiting these characteristics. Some national characteristics, such as governance and language, may also have an impact on international projects not located within the nation, but using products, resources, or data from these nations. Likewise, work  involving significant resources from individual nations, or regions, will also have to take account of the national characteristics associated with the resources, such as national, or religious holidays.

Other generic characteristics, such as perception of discrimination, or respect for traditions, are less tangible. As a consequence, they may be less easy to identify, or to assess. However, they are also likely to effect international work, in similar ways to that of the more tangible characteristics. The use of assessment tools, such as dimensional analysis, will help to identify the intangible characteristics and providing indicative values for the different participants.

In addition to having a direct effect on the work, national culture aspects may result in an indirect effect on the work, such as national or religious holidays. Therefore, it is also necessary for project managers to be aware of the consequences that external culture related, events will have on the project. This will allow them to manage the work of the project appropriately.

In general, the national culture characteristics can be considered to be external to the project, however they will form the framework for the work itself, within which it has to operate. Changes to the national culture framework will also have an impact on the work itself, this could be in the form of new legislation, or the influence of a tradition. It is unlikely that the managers will have any significant control over any of these changes to the national cultural characteristics. However, changes in this area are often predictable and appropriate measures can be prepared and implemented to reduce their impact.

Understanding Culture
It is therefore essential that managers, at all levels, who are involved with international work, are aware of the national cultural characteristics of participants. This awareness will help to ensure the success of the work in a number of ways including:

• Identifying and understanding the different national culture characteristics
• Understanding the effects of national culture on the work
• Assessing the national culture boundaries and level of tolerance available
• Being aware of aspects which can, or can not, be changed
• Preparing for the impact of external national culture changes

The process of awareness should begin as early as possible, to enable details of the cultural framework to be identified, as well as the extent of any areas of tolerance.  The analysis needed will have to take account of a variety dimensions, or perspectives, in order to examine the many different aspects of the national culture of international work participants. In order to undertake the analysis, a rigorous approach should be adopted, using a systematic framework such as Spectra Analysis, from Migrators. Further details of the Spectra Analysis approach is available for download on the  Papers & Presentations page.