Not understanding who can decide and when a decision is binding.
Culture here is not personality.
It is power, risk, authority, and consequence.
Culture where decisions cost something
In cross border business, culture is not about etiquette or communication style.
It defines who is allowed to decide, how risk is handled, and where consequences land.
Vietnam
- Decision authority is vertical. Alignment matters more than speed.
- Responsibility follows hierarchy, and accountability is concentrated.
- Once senior leadership is aligned, execution can move fast but acting before authority is clear creates risk.
Norway
- Decision authority is distributed.
- Speed depends on consensus and trust.
- Managers are empowered, but decisions are debated.
- Responsibility and risk are shared, and legitimacy matters as much as outcome.
Where deals fail:
- Norwegians may mistake silence for agreement.
- Vietnamese counterparts may see early initiative as overreach.
The real risk:
- Not understanding who can decide and when a decision is binding.
Culture here is not personality.
- It is power, risk, authority, and consequence.