Chapter 2

Question 1

What was the major theory of Kluckhorn and Strodtbeck (1961)?

Answer 1

Members of a group exhibit “orientations” towards the world.

1. What is the nature of people? (Good/evil/mix)
2. What is the person’s relationship to nature? (Dominant/In harmony/Subjugation)
3. What is the person’s relationship to other people? (Lineal/Collateral/individualist)
4. What is the modality of human activity? (Doing/being/containing)
5. What is the temporal focus of human activity? (Future/present/past)
6. What is the conception of space? (Private/public/mixed)

Question 2

What was the major theory of Hall (1976)?

Answer 2

There’s a difference between high context and low context cultures.

Question 3

Is this a high-context or low context culture: Relationships are LONG LASTING

Answer 3

High-context culture

Question 4

Is this a high-context or low context culture: People in authority are PERSONALLY RESPONSIBLE for the actions of subordinates

Answer 4

High-context culture

Question 5

Is this a high-context or low context culture: Agreements are written rather than spoken

Answer 5

Low-context culture

Question 6

Is this a high-context or low context culture: Insiders and outsiders are closely distinguished. Foreigners are outsiders

Answer 6

High-context culture

Question 7

What are examples of a high-context culture?

Answer 7

Japan, China, Korea…

Question 8

What are examples of a low-context culture?

Answer 8

USA, Germany, England…

Question 9

A multinational American company moves into Spain. Which values are likely to persist?

Answer 9

Spanish values. Local values typically persist.

Question 10

What are the five dimensions culture is composed of?

Answer 10

Power Distance
Uncertainty Avoidance
Individualism/Collectivism
Masculinity/Femininity
Confucian Dynamism

Question 11

What are some strengths of Hofstede’s five dimensions analysis (2001)?

Answer 11

Informant population is relatively controlled (IBM employees).
Connotations of each dimension are relevant to managers.
Most in-depth cultural comparison available.

Question 12

What are some weaknesses of Hofstede’s five dimensions analysis (2001)?

Answer 12

Assumes culture is ubiquitous within a nation.
Informants drawn from one company.
Interpretations of the dimensions.

Question 13

Power distance

Answer 13

The extent to which less powerful people in an organization are willing to accept that power distribution is unequal. Think salary range, hierarchy, etc…

Question 14

Individualism/collectivism

Answer 14

Individual societies: Individuals look after themselves and their direct family only.
Collectivist societies: People are loyal to their “group” or community.
Think employee-employer relationship, hiring and promotion decisions, etc…

Question 15

Masculinity/femininity

Answer 15

Higher masculinity means society will be driven by competition, achievement, and success. Want to BE THE BEST.
Higher femininity means society will be driven by caring for others and quality for life. Want to LIKE WHAT YOU DO.

Question 16

Uncertainty avoidance

Answer 16

The extent to which cultures want to avoid uncertainty (in work, in life)

Question 17

Confucian Dynamism

Answer 17

Short term vs long term goals.