IF YOU COMPARE TWO completely different countries like Sweden and Tunisia, it is obvious that traffic behaviour is considerably different. I am contemplating whether it is possible to draw parallels between traffic and business behaviour. My intention is to try to analyse Tunisia’s traffic to find out whether there is something that could be applied in a professional business situation. The first step is to investigate whether the financial development is reflected in traffic circulation.
IN GENERAL, INFRASTRUCTURE in Tunisia is well developed. In areas where it is still deficient, major investments are being done right now to build it up. There is a construction boom all over the country. Construction technology and architecture is well developed. The number of donkeys and horses on the roads is decreasing each year and get replaced by cars, particularly in urban areas. There is an enormous amount of cars in all price ranges. The middle class is growing and according to statistics the average income group represents 60 percent of the population contributing to strong purchasing power.
AT LEAST 50 PERCENT of car drivers are working women driving their own cars. Tunisian women have great advantages and live a modern life compared to women in other Arab countries. Women’s liberation is a carefully prepared policy that is proudly demonstrated and in constant progress.
COMPARING DRIVER BEHAVIOUR to business behaviour is quite risky and absolutely not based on a relevant study. However, studies on driver behaviour have been done and I have reviewed the study “Traffic behaviour – Driver behaviour”, by Annika Hultgren and Leif Persson (Högskolan Dalarna, 2001/02). This study categorises traffic behaviour directly related to four different driver behaviours. One is the risk taker who often breaks rules, who likes speed and excitement. This driver attitude corresponds well with the Tunisian one. I would also like to add the egotistical traffic behaviour.
ANOTHER CONCEPT, deriving from the American culture is “road rage”. This is characterised by individuals behaving rationally and sensibly outside of traffic, but in stressful traffic situations become tremendously aggressive. In similar situations the individual sees only the car not the individual behind the wheel. The driver is depersonalised and the reaction is based on personality and situation in life. I believe that this unconsidered and straight behaviour could be analysed, ratiocinated and put in relation to the general business culture.
BELOW, I WILL highlight some specific traffic behaviour in relation to business behaviour to find out any similarities:
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Driver behaviour: A few examples of risk taking and egoism in traffic: You are in an extreme hurry and it is important to be first in line. You overtake without hesitation on either sides or stay “glued” behind the car ahead in high speed. Changing lanes without signalling is common behaviour. Rather than making a normal left turn, you drive on the left side for a couple of hundred meters before making the turn. In spite of an obvious Stop sign two meters ahead, you overtake. Some cross the red light but in general the colour is observed. There is an enormous amount of traffic police along the roads that can be bribed for SEK 50. Even in obvious cases, people never admit being wrong but argue convincingly about their innocence. Cursing and ugly gestures are a rule rather than an exception. They hate letting other cars pass, which probably is due to all the “extra lanes” people find to get by long lines. In Tunisia, people live under considerable stress. When taking the car to circulate in heavy traffic on small roads, there is an immediate risk for bad behaviour and language. This is true among men and women. When talking to people, everybody agrees that the traffic situation is extremely exhausting.
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Business behaviour: Most business relations are just like the driver behaviour – quite vague with the intention of a quick deal. Egotistical risk taking in traffic demonstrating nonchalance and lack of respect could also be applied in a business situation. It is common to not show up on time and to talk on the phone during a meeting. However, this behaviour does rarely apply to professional business leaders or top executives.
POOR JUDGEMENT AND long term planning like pointless overtaking result in mediocre production planning and organisational structure. Short term leadership with no vision is common but is mostly a result of delegation fear. Not following traffic rules is reflected in employee’s habit of helping themselves on other people’s expense, lying to management and colleagues for their own benefit. Corruption occurs on all levels.
A COMMON BEHAVIOUR in business situations (and in all relations) is difficulties in admitting ones mistakes. Most people find it hard to discuss problems and would rather demonstrate pride and infallibility leading to ruptures in a relation.
I MUST STRESS THAT I have to some extent amused myself with above comparisons. At the same time I have based my analysis on the aggressive traffic behaviour much too common today and that is wearing most people down. However, in a business situation there are many nuances. Since I moved here 20 years ago, traffic behaviour has worsened dramatically (probably because of an increased number of cars among the middle class, which is positive in itself). On the contrary, business behaviour has developed in a very positive direction. In spite of an ironic undertone, I consider it possible to a certain extent to compare traffic and business behaviour in a country. Some unmasked traffic behaviour could be masked in a business situation and should be interpreted and analysed.