Nestle, a Swiss-based company, has manufacturing, packaging and distribution plants in Brazil. http://www.drinks-business-review.com/article_news.asp?guid=7DEC39B8-2B89-44F2-A80A-8A8ED22CBBA7

Shell in Brazil

Brazil is the leading ethanol producing country and Shell is very much a leading petroleum company in terms of ethanol.

MNC's in Brazil

Ambev is the one of the largest beverage companies and is the biggest brewery in South America. They produce many beverage products in Central and South America such as Pepsi products, Lipton teas, Gatorade, and numerous cervejas (beers). http://www.ambev.com.br/index.php

Power Distance

Brazil has a Power Distance of about 70 and the US has a Power Distance of about 40. In Brazil we can expect that stricter obediance is found across all levels of society. The accept that power is distributed somewhat unequally. Here in the U.S. there is much less power distance, so lower level emplyees tend to follow orders as a matter of procedure.

Masculinity

Brazil's Masculinity: 49

United States' Masculinity: 62

Masculine traits include assertiveness, materialism/material success, self-centeredness, power, strength and individual achievements. According to number Hofstede's scale of Masculinity, these two cultures share very different values. 

Long-Term Orientation

On the other hand, Brazil has a much higher long-term orientation than the U.S. Brazil scores a 65 in LTO, while the U.S. scores a 29. For the United States this means that we are distinctively below the world LTO average of 45. This probably indicates that our society tends to focus on short-term goals and our obligation to meet objectives. Typically, short-term orientation aligns with a respect for tradition and fulfilling social obligations (such as voting). Brazil's score of 65 indicates that Brazil stresses perseverence.

Individualism according to Hofstede

The United States has a much higher sense of Individualism than Brazil. Brazil only scores a 38 on individualism while the U.S. scores a 91. This is the largest difference gap between the U.S. and Brazil. This is due to the Latin tendency to be a more Collectivist society. Brazilians have a long-term commitment to their family groups (extended family and relationships). Most Brazilians live at home with their parents until marriage, then even once married tend to stay within the same neighborhood to remain close to the family. The United States on the other hand has rather loose bonds with others and maintains a higher individualistic attitude. I believe there is more of a fight for power within the U.S. that creates a sense of "every man for himself". Typically, U.S. citizens tend to look out for themselves and only close relatives. We are a much more self-reliant culture than Latino countries.