1. Handelsbanken is known for its culture being different from that of its competitors. Characterize Handelsbanken’s culture and discuss how the culture is spread and kept alive in the bank.

2. What entry modes into foreign markets has Handelsbanken applied throughout its history?
Discuss what impact Handelsbanken’s culture has had on the choice of entry modes
into different foreign markets. Would there have been different options if the bank
had had a different culture?

3. Like all internationalised organisations, Handelsbanken is facing the global-local dilemma.
Discuss how this dilemma is handled in practice. What is done globally and what is done
locally?

4. How is Handelsbanken making sure that its culture is kept alive in an expanding
organisation and how can this culture be kept alive during further expansion?

5. Your recommendation to the CEO or 2018 and beyond.
• In your recommendation consider that the bank’s culture had a major impact on how internationalization was undertaken. Is a strategy that involves being radically different a wise choice. How different can a strategy be? For how long? Which advantages and risks are associated with radical difference.