Kukharyk Viktoria, PhD in Economics, Senior Lecturer, Department of International Economic Relations and Project Management, Lesya Ukrainka Volyn National University, Lutsk, Ukraine

ORCID ID: 0000-0003-3389-5181
e-mail: kucharyk.viktoria@vnu.edu.ua

Business Gift Giving Etiquette Features in Different Countries

Abstract. Introduction. The present article deals with the gift giving etiquette in different countries. It is noted that mutual communication is becoming an increasingly universal phenomenon for people of different cultural backgrounds. A substantiated opinion is that business partners typically give gifts to show appreciation, respect, express best wishes or congratulations, and show goodwill to continue working together and maintain relationships. It is noted that business etiquette plays a crucial role in the smooth development of international business. It has been established that the gifts exchange has a long history and since ancient times high foreign guests have always arrived in another country with gifts.

Purpose. The purpose of this research is a comprehensive investigation of the business gifts giving etiquette in different countries, identifying and studying the key common and distinctive features of this process.

Results. It is especially difficult to communicate effectively with business partners of different cultures. Hence, it is necessary to study not only the issues to be discussed in business meeting with foreign business partners, but also business ethics of the relevant country. An effective way to improve the relationship between business partners is a gift giving. This prosess can express different types of emotions and reduce mutual misunderstandings or conflicts, mutual emotional distance and strengthen relationships between business partners. And vice versa, the wrong gift can lead to the contract ending. Under those circumstances, it is important for the gift sender to respect the culture of business partners, to understand the customs of the country.

Conclusions. Therefore, the gift-giving etiquette is closely linked to different social customs, historical traditions, religious beliefs and lifestyles of different countries. At the end, the comparing of gift-giving different aspects between countries will help to understand the different cultural values, and hence to ensure an effective mutual communication between different nations.

Keywords: etiquette; business gift; gifts giving; bribes; business partners.

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