Culture and management in Australia : "G'day mate"

Australia is the world’s sixth-largest nation, with a stable, democratic society, a strong economy and an informal, friendly culture. In the last few years, this country has become a popular destination for business, which creates the need for greater awareness and understanding of Australian culture and values – in particular, how these values influence and shape management practices and organizational dynamics. This chapter explores these themes, providing knowledge that will enhance the reader’s ability to act and interact effectively within the Australian context. In doing so, it highlights the complexity of Australian culture, produced by various colonial and post-colonial events, myths and processes. The approach I have used for this work draws on an interdisciplinary examination of social history, economics, anthropology, sociology and cultural studies, and also on my own experience and observations as a “diasporic Brazilian” who has lived and worked in Australia since 1974