01 Cross-Cultural

Question 1

How can we understand cultures?

Answer 1

Visible - external and conscious beliefs and behaviours

Invisible - internal, unconscious Beliefs Values and Thoughts

Question 2

Examples for Visible Beliefs

Answer 2

obervable behaviour, communication, work organization, data, facts

Question 3

Examples for Invisible Beliefs

Answer 3

Emotions, relationships, values, attitudes, needs, wishes, expectations

Question 4

4 Intercultural Barriers

Answer 4

1. High Level of stress / verbal communication (language)
2. evaluation as good or bad
3. nonverbal communiction
4. stereotypes

Question 5

Barries High Stress and Communication - Solution

Answer 5

accept ambiguity, forgive others and yourself, learn the language or hire an interpreter

Question 6

Barriers Evaluation as good or bad - Solution

Answer 6

maintaining distance, dont judge by own values, you cannot change this culture!

Question 7

Barriers Nonverbal Communication - Solution

Answer 7

dont assume you understanf, dont take anything personally, be aware of your own nonverbal language

Question 8

Barriers Stereotypes - Solutions

Answer 8

be aware of own cliches, learn about other culture, reinterpret from other cultures perspective

Question 9

Five Stages of intercultural development

Answer 9

Honeymoon - excitement like a tourist

Disorientation - everything familiar is lost, overwhelmed by new requirements

Irritability / Hostility - possible anger /resentment

Adjustment /Integration - developing ability to function in new culture, able to see good as well as bad

Bi-Culturality - being fluently comfortable in both cultures

Question 9

Five Stages of intercultural development

Answer 9

Honeymoon - excitement like a tourist

Disorientation - everything familiar is lost, overwhelmed by new requirements

Irritability / Hostility - possible anger /resentment

Adjustment /Integration - developing ability to function in new culture, able to see good as well as bad

Bi-Culturality - being fluently comfortable in both cultures

Question 10

Culture Map - 8

Answer 10

by Meyer

1. Communication - low context to high context
2. Evaluating - direct or indirect negative feedback
3. Persuading - principles first or application first
4. Leading - Egalitarian or hierarchical
5. Deciding - consensual or top-down
6. Trusting - task-based or relationship based
7. Disagreeing - confrontional or avoiding confrontation
8. Scheduling - linear time or flexible time

C E P L D T D S
com, muss eval und gedrängt werden damit der anführer entscheiden kann wem er traut und mit wem er nicht überinstimmt

Question 11

Low-context vs high-context

Answer 11

Low - communication precise and clear

High- good communication is sophisticated, nuanced and layered, one must read between lines, messages not plainly expressed but implied

Question 12

Direct negative feedback vs. Indirect negative feedback

Answer 12

Direct - feedback bluntly, honestly, not softened by positive messages
Absolute descriptors are used (totally, absolutely) and even in front of a group

Indirect - softly, sobtly, diplomatically, often positive messages to wrap negative ones
only in private
qualifying descpritors - slightly, sort of

Question 13

Principles first or applications first

Answer 13

Principles - individuals trained to first develop theory or complex concept before stting opinion
always conceptual principles

Applications - individuals trained tonfirst be with a fact, opinion and later add on concepts to back up
reports preffered with summary or bullet points
rather no theoretical or philisophical discussions
discussions practical

Question 14

Egalitarian or Hierarchical

Answer 14

Egalitarian - distance between boss and subordinate low, boss equal, not always need to get boss´approval

Hierarchical - best boss= strong director who leads from front, organizational structures fixed

Question 15

Consensus or Top-Down

Answer 15

Consensus - decisions made in groups through unianimous agreement, possibly revisiting decision

Top-Down - decisions made by usually the boss, no discussion

Question 16

Task-based vs Relationship based

Answer 16

Task - trust build through business related activities, you do good work , you are reliable, i trust you, very practical
can be dropped easily

Relationship - trust built with outside work activities, build slowly over long term

Question 17

Confrontational vs Avoids Confrontation

Answer 17

Confrontational - open confrontation is appropriate and will not negatively impact relationship

Avoiding - will break group harmony, debate negative for team

Question 18

Linear or flexible

Answer 18

Linear - one task before another, no interruptions, focus on promptness

Flexible-Time - changing tasks as opportunities arise, focus on adaptabilitxy and flexibility