How prevalent is the impact of the Mormon religion in the Utah business environment?

Question

Also, irrespective of the business impact, does anybody know what percentage of the Utah population actually considers themselves Mormon? I have heard people from other parts of the country who have traveled there on business say its just a really different place culturally.

(NOTE: I am not passing judgment here in any way. I am just genuinely interested in any perceptions any of you may have.)

Answer 1

Mormon population is around 62% based on church statistics. http://www.sltrib.com/ci_2886596 It used to be more like 70%, but the non-Mormon move-in rate is high enough to result in a gradual decline.

Some of the 62% have not gone to church in years, so, the actual church going rate is probably no more than 50%. However, that is still quite high as a cultural effect.

Also, in Salt Lake, the non-Mormon move-in and percentage is higher. In rural areas, the Mormon percentage is higher.

The cultural impact is noticable, in the sense that prevailing attitudes about alcohol, tobaco and sex will be different than you might find in California or Texas.

In many ways, the impact on business is not significant. Just like anyone else, Mormon's look for business that offer the goods or services they want at good prices and with good quality.

On the other hand, there is the tendency to "do business with who you know". If two businesses offer similar goods, services, quality and prices, then the Mormon owned business would have something of an edge, just due to the social networking.

Answer 2

This depends on the business and people. Every person is impacted by their religion or lack of it. Bottom line the business people in Utah are business people. Some will let their religion impact thier possible profits, some will not. Culturally the religion does influence the region, but this is much more obvious in the smaller towns than in the larger cities . The larger cities are just as cosmopolitan and have the same urban problems other places do.

Answer 3

Interesting question. I liveed in Salt Lake City for 2 1/2 years. My firm was a large New York based global firm and opened a small (200+) office in SLC. The major reasons for opening the office were economical, but it turned out that employment wise, we were able to hire, extremely dedicated, talented, college graduates from the area universites. While we could still mold these new employees into a New York company mindset, they still had their core beliefs, which turned out to be exactly what most businesses have a foundation around. Most businesses what loyal employees. Employees who will not lie. Employees who will not cheat or push people to get ahead (unless warrented of course). Work-life balance is big in Utah, partially due to the religion, but also due to the landscape of Utah (in summer, people want to go explore the mountains, in the winter people want to ski)! While statistics may show 75% of the State are mormon, this is more like 90% outside of areas like Salt Lake City and Park City.

The biggest cultural difference most people discuss is the drinking laws of the state, which do differ drastically from other parts of the country. You can drink in the state - and no one frowns against that - regardless of what people say.

From my personal perspective, the company I worked for has a solid grounding now in Utah, where a good 50% of individuals have moved from other areas of the country (mostly Boston/New York) to add to the diversity. I don't think without the Mormon impact, it would be as successful as it is to be honest. Non-Mormons who have families, have quite enjoyed being able to work in a town, and also have a short commute and large home.

Answer 4

Business is as business does. The religion does not impact most interstate/international businesses (unless they are religious based or focused). In my department, Mormons are actually the minority, which is unusual, but religion isn't a big thing. People are very respectful of each other and aren't bothered by diverse views, especially if you're in a professional industry.

Culturally, as long as you're in Salt Lake it isn't too different than any other mid-sized city. There are some silly liquor laws, but they don't inhibit or hinder your lifestyle if you are a drinker, you just have to figure it out. The town is pretty clean and for the small size that it is you can find all sorts of food and things to do.

Answer 5

According to the 2006 Church Almanac, 72% of the population of Utah belongs to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In Salt Lake City, I understand the LDS population is only about 50%, and many of those might be considered "social Mormons", or those who are part of the heritage, but not active members. Still, the cultural influence of the church is substantial.

I have lived in Wyoming for many years. While living there, I frequently did business in Utah, mainly among professional people. In similar fashion, I have lived and done business in Los Angeles and San Francisco. To me, the difference is that business professionals seem more courteous and honest than those in California. Utah people are frankly very trusting. They expect business people to treat them honestly and fairly. If you do business with them, and engage in sharp practices, you will have few returning customers. The written warranty means less in some situations than an expectation that the businessman will treat the customer fairly.

The dark underside of this means that unscrupulous crooks sometimes cruise through Utah, and take unfair advantage of Utah’s relatively trusting population. The pickings can be good! However, if they get caught, Utah jurors can be quite harsh on those who violate the law. They are not usually swayed by “it’s just business” or “everyone’s doing it” – because in Utah, everyone ISN’T doing it.

Answer 6

I agree with the first answer to a degree. Utah is really about 75 percent LDS. It is quite different. There are many businesses that cater to the LDS community such as modest clothing shops and you can't buy hard liquor at your neighborhood grocery store. Some stores choose not to even carry alcohol at all. It is all dependant on the owner. It is different in many ways, but it is also so much the same. It's just Utah.

Answer 7

The majority of people who are in Utah are Mormon. You ask about how that unfolds in business life? A Baptist man I know worked for a Mormon company. He was called away from work early after he started a new job was and fired because he wasn't Mormon. The work he did wasn't in the temple etc. so this was religious discrimination in the USA where it is not supposed to take place!

Answer 8

The Mormon religion has a very large impact on Utah business, and they make-up about 90% of the pop.