Business & Culture

Question 1

What is culture?

Answer 1

• Set of shared norms and values expressed in the behaviour of group members
• Unwritten rules of social interaction, collective programming

1. Human nature, universal level: like all people
2. Cultural: like some people
3. Personality, personal identity: like no one

Question 2

Iceberg model of culture

Answer 2

Visible culture (traditions customs, behaviours...) only small part
Invisible culture (beliefs, assumptions, values...) bigger part

Question 3

Hall - High/low context, Monochronic vs. polychronic, proxemics

Answer 3

Low context: direct/specific, honest and clear, verbal, what is important –> perceived as arrogant, rude, not taking interest
High context: indirect, harmony and face-saving, read between lines (non-verbal….), how is important –> perceived as vague, not careful, too curious

Monochronic: one thing at a time, time only usable once, program more important, punctuality
Polychronic: several things at a time, time is renewable, relationships important, changes are okay

Proxemics
High contact: standing close is positive (all about relationships)
Low contact: standing close is negative

Question 4

Kluckhohn

Answer 4

Relationship with nature

• Mastery: can and should control nature
• Harmony: should work with nature to maintain balance
• Subjugation: must submit to nature

Nature of Humana activity

• Doing: task oriented, live to work, set goals and take action, satisfied with well done job
• Being: relation oriented, work to live, events flow spontaneously, motivation through positive atmosphere

Relationship with time

• Past: based on tradition
• Present: short term planning, live for moment
• Future: goal oriented, invest for future

Relationships between people

• Individualism: individual independence, equality, defined by personal achievements
• Collectivism: interdependence, belonging and responsibility towards group, defined by membership to group

Question 5

Hofstede

Answer 5

Individualism: individual development important
Collectivism: do what is good for the group

High power distance: boss clear and detailed, micromanaging
Low power distance: give room to improve, personal decisions

Masculinity: performance, assertive, competitive, money and status
Feminine: life-work balance, quality of life, nurturing and caring

Low uncertainty avoidance: change is welcome, innovation, not too much rules
High: strong need for rules and laws

Short term vs. long term orientation

Indulgence: realise impulses and desires, optimism, act as they please, leisure time important
Restraint: pessimism, control gratification of desires, less emphasis on leisure time

Question 6

Trompenaars

Answer 6

Universalists: do the right thing (right and wrong is fixed), rules over relationships
Particularists: relationship over rules, fit actions to particular situation

Communitarianism: group over individual
Individualism: personal freedom and achievement

Neutral: don’t express emotions easily
Emotional: emotions can be shown

Specific: business and private separated
Diffuse: business and private not separated

Achievement: personal achievements count
Ascription: gender, age, position, status … important

Internal orientation: humans control environment
External orientation. environment influences humans

Sequential vs. Synchronic (concept of time)