The Icelandic and Romanian Profile. Different Patterns in a Converging World

• Author: Ionel Sergiu Pirju
• Pages: 389-398

International Relations in the Contemporary World. Geopolitics and Diplomacy

389

The Icelandic and Romanian Profile.

Different Patterns in a Converging World

Ionel Sergiu Pirju1

Abstract. The majority of intercultural studies are preferring a sample with two cultures, even such a study

can’t provide a complex understanding about the importance of culture in the international context. The most

complex Cross Cultural studies (Schwartz, GLOBE, Hofstede, and Trompenaars) include a large number of

cultures, but time and costs remain major obstacles for an exhaustive analyses. The aim of this article is to

present relevant intercultural values th at characterize Iceland and Romania: history, language, power distance

and conflict management. This study it is a synchronic one because in its content will be analyzed the

contemporary situations in the two countries. The analysis is exploratory and it will be used the Locke`s

consensual inductive system which involves mostl y the collections of scholars` opinions but with personal

reflections.

Keywords: Iceland; Romania; cultural values; performance; power distance

1. Introduction

Along the history, the cross cultural adaptation offers solutions for individuals to become skilled by

identifying critical situation in order to avoid severe consequences for their particular situations. Based

on former scholar experience, the assumption of this research is that in the international field, if cross-

cultural knowledge is mastered, there is an additional opportunity to develop and maintain an excellent

relationship with international partners. At the same time, according to the principle of concordance, in

case of identifying common values between two countries, it seems natural that there should be a greater

intensity of common projects, compared to that achieved with other regions.

This article will try to present first the main strategy of Icelandic and Romanian policy regarding the

European integration. Also, by comparing the cultural values betweent the two countries, the study will

emphasize how much the Romanian society will try to increase the level of stability and establish

credibility on the international arena. To integrate the article into the extention demanded by the cross

cultural methodology, it will be also analized the differeces between Power distance and Performance

orientation. Both values are presenting the perefect benchmarking model for practical implications in

order to benefit the societal culture from the two countries. The approach I propose tries to capture the

influence of these two cultural dimensions on the international performance of a state by comparing the

values and norms between the two countries. It aims at emphasizing the importance of multiculturalism

(Bercovitch & Foulkes, 2012) and is focused on the importance of cultural synergy in interstate relations.

1 Senior Lecturer, PhD, Danubius University of Galati, Faculty of Communications and International Relations, Romania,

Address: 3 Galati Blvd., Galati 800654, Romania, Tel.: +40372361102, Corresponding author: pirjusergiu@univ-danubius.ro.