Morocco
Land of Rich Culture, Business, and Prominent Leaders
Code of Ethics
"If a business [leader] is unaware of international differences regarding decisions, then there is a potential for damage not only to the firm's reputation but also to the trust between the firm and its stakeholders" (Oumlil & Balloun, 2008) Therefore, it is crucial for those of you moving to Morocco for business to learn about the culture's view on ethics. These findings can increase your personal ethical behavior and create a competitive advantage for you in the business world. In Morocco, ethical foundations are built on trust, honor, loyalty, mutual respect, care for others, upstanding character, and quality relationships. But most importantly, "ethics focus rises from relationships more so than fixed rules or law" (Oumlil & Balloun, 2008). Leaders are key to creating this ethical culture. Leaders displaying democratic leadership set the tone for an open, inclusive, and progressive work environment that employees and leaders are excited to be a part of. And since they are focused on their employees, leaders can get feedback from employees and together capture the collective ethical aspirations and create an honor code. What it means to behave ethically in each of these situations varies and your actions will determine how others view you ethically. Because honor and dignity are important factors in the Moroccan world, those traits attest to your good character. Honor and dignity not only for your company, and your coworkers represents selflessness and compassion and demonstrates how you are willing to uphold the shared goals of the company and go out of your way for the well-being of others within the company. The business role models can be leaders or employees who live out the honorable attitudes and behaviors of an ethical person. Getting involved in the community is another important ethical standard. It shows compassion for the community, gratitude for its support, and allows the company and its employees to give back to the community. Finally, company rules and policies also set the tone for ethical duties within the workplace. In addition to rules and policies, how crises and decision making are handled also establish the ethical tone and can create a healthy culture of honor inside the company if handled appropriately.
When it comes to doing business with people of a different nationality, it is important to learn about their work ethics, customs, beliefs, attitudes and etiquette. This will also help make your transition into your new professional environment much easier. In Morocco, the business world is greatly influenced by French culture (Forster & Fenwick, 2015). There is a lot of emphasis on respect, formality and courtesy. In addition, personal relationships play an important part of the work culture. Moroccans tend to take a while to trust someone and are mainly comfortable dealing with people they know.
Moroccan Business Savvy
Leadership Styles
Business leaders in Morocco tend to follow one of two leadership styles: there are "those who focus on preserving honor by becoming hierarchal, using heavy hand or controlling methods" and those who "choose to increase honor by empowering employees" (Moore & Hanson 2016). In other words, a leader is either focused on honor raising or honor preservation. Leaders who focus on preserving honor generally possess an autocratic leadership style and are found in charge of companies with a hierarchal system. There are clear distinctions between roles and a separation between employees and superiors. With this system, leaders usually adopt a one-way communication style. According to Moore (2016), this leadership style is based on control and "top down pressure where there is no employee initiative." However, while the honor of the company and the employees might be preserved, there are no opportunities to raise their honor. Leaders opting for a more democratic style in Morocco, however, often have more success. Those who choose to increase honor by creating relationships with employees and investing time to develop employees through written company rules, codes of conduct, and employee orientation leave their employees feeling empowered, more satisfied in their work life, productive, and loyal to the company. This leader often uses a coaching style which is a "combination of technical competence attribute with the desire to help and care for other employees (Moore 2016). In which case, the leader employs a two-way communication style in order to empower the employee and reflect a genuine partnership. In this case, "the fundamental prerequisite for raising honor [is] the display of perceived ethical and honorable behavior of good character, care for others, and technical competence" (Moore 2016). With these three things, you have the makings of a good, successful Moroccan leader.
Relationships and Communication
In Morocco, relationships are of the utmost importance. Leaders are meant to inspire, coach, develop and problem solve. With those abilities, success to the company is sure to occur "in the sense that [they] serve and assist others in achieving both individual and mutual actualization" (Moore & Hanson, 2016). In other words, a company's success is dependent on the individual and mutual relationships that form and make the employees and supervisors want to be productive.
Moroccans prefer to do business with those they know and respect. Therefore, you should expect to spend time cultivating personal relationship within the organization and before any business is conducted with outside Moroccan businesses. Fostering these relationships created through networking allows you to establish your identity within the community, start building trust with other organizations and people within your organization, etc. And because relationships are so important within this culture, remember that any business relationships you form are almost certain to be long-term and not short-term. In addition, remember to be hospitable in all of your interactions -- this is after all, the Moroccan way. According to Ali & Wahabi (1995), Moroccan business practices are influenced by French culture and emphasize courtesy, hospitality, and a certain "degree of formality." Open communication is preferred, especially since the majority of leaders are democratic and value relationships. Therefore, if you have a problem at work or simply need to talk, you can always go to your leader. Just be sure that you keep the conversation professional and respectful.
Decision Making
Although companies in Morocco value relationships, many of them still have a hierarchical setup -- meaning that everyone has a distinct role. While in other countries where this would mean that only the supervisors and highest ranking leaders would make all decisions, in Morocco, leaders still offer discussions to be held about important decisions in order to make the employees feel involved in decision making as well. After a group deliberation has taken place and hearing from everyone who has an opinion to offer, the leader will then make a final decision based on group consensus. Decisions are made slowly and precisely. And it is important that you don't try to rush a decision because "it would be interpreted as an insult" (Moore & Hanson 2016).
"A job is about a lot more than a paycheck. It’s about your dignity. It’s about respect. It’s about your place in your community."
VP Joe Biden at 2014 Global Entrepreneurship Summit in Morocco
