Chapter 2 Summary Flashcards
Explain culture and the need for cultural knowledge
Culture is a set of values, beliefs, rules, and institutions held by a specific group of people. Work habits and product preferences can be influenced by the physical environment.
We tend to equate a nation-state and it’s people with single culture. But most nations are home to numerous subcultures - groups who share a unique way of life within the dominant culture.
Managers try to avoid ethnocentricity (tendency to view one’s own culture as superior) and to develop cultural literacy.
Summarize the cultural importance of values and behavior
Cultures values and attitudes are important because they affect work ethic and material desires.
Manners are appropriate behaviors, speech, and dress in a culture, whereas customs are appropriate behaviors in specific circumstances.
Describe the roles of social structure and education in culture
Social structure embodies a culture’s fundamental organization. It affects the cost of doing business and business decisions such as site selection and which advertising methods to use.
Social status and mobility in a culture guide people’s desire for material things and their emphasis on work. Firms also consider the influence of family and gender on people’s purchase and work decisions.
Education level affects the quality of the workforce and people’s standard of living. Wages in a society are determined to a large extent by education.
Outline how the major world religions can influence business
Different religions view work, savings, and material goods differently.
Protestants - hard work glorifies god
Hindus - non materialistic, believe in a caste system. Often vegetarian
Islamic - ban alcohol
Judaism - religious holidays are crucial, food must be kosher.
Explain the importance of personal communication to international business
Personal communication conveys thoughts, feelings, knowledge, info through speech, writing, and actions. Understanding the culture’s system of communication provides insight into their values and behavior.
Language proficiency can help avoid misunderstandings
Describe how firms and culture interact in the global workspace.
Cultures’ perception of time, view of work, and material culture affect many aspects of business, including management styles, scheduling, and reward systems.
Cultural change occurs when people integrate the gestures, material objects, traditions, or concepts of another culture through cultural diffusion. Companies might change culture when they import new products, policies, and practices into a country.
