Article about the culture of the Netherlands, which is defined by
consensus, directness and egalitarianism – along with a long-running battle against water.
Examples of this are the numerous big brands in the Netherlands. “There is a trend among younger people towards entrepreneurial careers,” says Shemla, who teaches at the RSM, CEMS programme – a master’s course that aims to develop international managers. “So, we are teaching them about how to start and manage companies, and how to deal with issues relating to growth, resilience and uncertainty.”
Next to this, the Netherlands stands out for its extraordinary productivity. “They work from nine till five but they work really hard when they’re there,” explains Dr Meir Shemla, an Israeli-born associate professor of organisational behaviour at the RSM.