In Norway even large organizations are considered flat, non-hierarchical and equal.
This type of flat work environment allows for open and transparent sharing of information so everyone is included.
Due to this flat structure it is not recommend to try a “top-down” approach to doing business with Norwegian companies.
Norwegian companies have bosses like anywhere else.
However, their role is often much different than in other business cultures.
They lead by coaching and maintaining an inclusive team environment.
They don’t often “crack the whip,” as we like to say in America. Instead, they work together as equal to their colleagues.
Along with this equality you’ll find the need for lots of consensus.
This means that almost all company decisions will additional take time.
This can be frustrating to a foreigners used to faster decision making and iteration cycles.