SWEDEN - Basic knowledge for an expartiate.

SWEDEN

Group Members

Name ID

Country Overview

• Official name - Kingdom of

Sweden

• Area - 449,964 sq km

• Inhabitants - 8,878,085

• Density - 19 people/square km

• Capital – Stockholm

Monetary unit - Swedish krona

(SEK)

One krona = € 0.11 ;

€ 1 = 9 SEK

Geography

• Big country, sparsely

populated.

• Third largest country in

Western Europe

• Almost same size as Spain or

France.

• 9.2 million inhabitants.

• 90% of population live in

southern Sweden.

People

• A dramatic change.

• 100 years ago was very poor.

• Now, rich and well-educated.

• Large investments in education

& research.

• Main language Swedish

• Almost all Swedes speak fluent

English.

Cultural Norms

• Getting in line

Swedes like to wait in line.

Structure way of waiting, ensuring

equal rights and treatment.

Patience is a virtue, possessed and

nourished by Swedes.

• Lagom

“Lagom” means ‘just enough’.

Citizens are striving to achieve a

state of “Lagom.”

Looking/feeling/being at the

perfect equilibrium.

• Taking of shoes

Shoes are taken off when entering

private residences.

sign of respect for the home.

Some people will bring indoor

shoes with them in a bag when invited.

• Being on time

‘time’ should be respected at all

times.

Swedes value punctuality, which is

known worldwide.

Also maintained in social

gatherings.

• Business casual means jeans

fashion in Sweden is simple, relaxed and casual.

Unless it’s a meeting with foreign clients or board meeting.

Swedes value quality in clothes.

Major Multi-national Organizations

• "Made in Sweden" holds special

meaning to Swedes and rest world

• 25 of Fortune 500 corporations are

Swedish.

• Many of the companies have a

history of 100 years.

• Swedish vehicles SCANIA, VOLVO

and SAAB has very well known

international reputation for their

manufacturing quality and build

standards .

Some of the other well known Swedish corporations are :

•IKEA,

•ERICSSON,

•SKF,

•TETRA PAK,

•ELECTROLUX,

•SECURITAS,

•H&M,

Political environment# Constitutional monarchy.

Swedish Parliament (Riksdag)

Head of the Government

# The electoral process of Sweden

Candidates are not treateddifferently

all parties have equal access to thenational media and other means ofcommunication.

PESTLE ANALYSIS OF SWEDEN

Economical Environment

# Economic structure in recession: Swedish Crisis Management maintains -

a sound fiscal support,

enhancing greater labor force participation

and efficiently increasing the public spending

# Efficient Capital Markets and Investment:

given access to a variety of credit instruments.

Increasing of international co-operation.

Social environment

# Norms and values of Sweden

# Gender equality is still improving and life satisfaction continues to be very high.

# Swedish Social Insurance Agency provide some benefit –

Monetary support for children

Housing allowances for those who can't afford housing.

Benefits for unemployed and retired

Technological environment

# Technological products developed by Swedish firms include

the self-aligning ball bearing,

the cream separator,

the three-phase electric motor,

and a refrigerator without moving parts

Legal Environment

# The legal system is characterized by a high degree of transparency

legal framework

The Swedish system of judicial reviews

# The Swedish Law, Act (1992:160)

Within the European Economic Area (EEA)

Registration of business enterprise in Sweden

Trademark must be registered

Environment

# Most sustainable country in the

world

renewable energy sources

low carbon dioxide emissions

# Environmental policy in

Sweden

Reduced Climate Impact

A Non-Toxic Environment

A Protective Ozone Layer

A Safe Radiation Environment

Flourishing Lakes and Streams

Good-Quality Groundwater

A Balanced Marine Environment

Advantages of an Expatriate

•High Standard of Living

Sweden is expensive to

live compared to

delivers exceptional

standard of living.

Considered political

stability

the country considers to

be very safer.

•Healthcare

Healthcare coverage is

universal.

residents & expatriates have

access to public healthcare

services.

•Taxation

taxation is determined

on individual’s

residential status.

residents are taxed on

worldwide income

non-residents are

taxed on income arising

from Sweden.

Challenges for an Expatriate

•Language

One of the biggest challenge

for expatriate.

Difficult to adjust &

understand .

communication problem is a

vital issue

•Culture