The Swedish Vs Asian management styles

This local Swedish article describes how the Swedes manage and lead in their organizations. As mentioned in the article, the Swedish management style is characterized by easy communication, low internal competition and anti-hierarchical organization structures.

Having been spending the last couple of months providing consulting work in a Swedish financial institution, the article pretty much sums up my experiences here. I am not exactly sure if I find their management style appealing. Having spend the earlier part of my life in Singapore, the experience here with the Swedes has been a totally new learning experience.
For one, decisions take ages to be made up, as it is management by consensus, not by pragmatism.
A decision which usually takes the Asian/Singaporean management a week to make would typically take two months for the Swedish management to do the same. In a Swedish organization, all related parties are consulted and if there are disagreements, decisions are postponed to a later date so that both parties can revert with even more information to justify their cases. There is no "ultimate" decision-maker who will preside over the issue, everyone involved is entitled to his/her views and unless everyone is satisfied, the issue will remain unresolved.
The article is also accurate in pointing out that the Swedes usually do plan ahead and try to anticipate all possible scenarios. But then again, there is only so much one can plan, there are some unknown unknowns which will only be made known when as the plan is being implemented.
Low internal competition also meant that there is little incentive for anyone to do better or aim higher than their peers, though on the brighter side, there is less politicking in the office. Personally, I think that part of the reason why internal competition is low is due to the fact that there is little monetary incentive to perform better than your peers.
Compensation in the front offices in financial institutions are typically calculated based upon profit numbers and very heavily performance calibrated. However, for this financial institution, compensation is primarily calibrated on hierarchy or seniority, little incentive for good performance.
I guess this management style is a exemplification of the Swedish society as a whole which places heavy emphasis on social equity.