What are the implications for international business of differences in the dominant religion or ethical system of a country?

Differences in the dominant religion of a country affect relationships, attitudes toward business, and overall economic development. Religious beliefs can significantly affect a country's attitude toward business, work, and entrepreneurship. Hard work may be either rewarded positively or viewed as something of secondary importance to spiritual peace and harmony. Different dominant religions may affect the overall competitiveness and potential for economic growth of a nation, and hence attractiveness of a country for international business.

Religion plays a basic, influential role in our most fundamental values and the norms that arise from them. So if an international business venture faces a different dominant religion in its foreign market, managers there will have to make special efforts to understand what really underlying practice differences are.