New found knowledge enables this case to be analyzed using cultural, sociocultural, psychocultural and environmental influences. Cultural influences clearly pit Tom's individualistic culture against his Latin American clients collectivistic culture. Tom is interested in effective use of time while his clients are more relaxed and flexible where time is concerned.
Sociocultural influences point out differing role expectations.
Tom sees his role as getting down to business and only business. His clients combine the role of businessmen with friend. Psychocultural influences account for the differeing behavioral expectations each party had for the other. Finally, environment could have played a major factor is how things turned out. Had the setting been in Tom's country, his clients may have familiarized themselves with what was the norm here.