Cultural Environment Flashcards
What is culture according to Bates and Blog (1990)?
A system of shared beliefs, values, customs and behaviours prevalent in society that are transmitted from generation to generation
What does culture include?
- Religion
- Language
- Attitudes to time
- Attitudes to gender
- Non verbal communication
- Food
- Dressing
- Common practices
How is culture not static?
- It is dynamic - changes over time
- It varies from country to country
What is Hofstede’s Culture Typology?
Outlines the dimensions of national culture:
- Acceptance of power inequality
- Avoidance of uncertainty
- Masculinity vs femininity
- Long term vs short term orientation
- Individualism vs collectivism
How do low and high context cultures vary in terms of relationships?
Low context cultures see them as less important whereas high context cultures find them important
How do low context and high context cultures vary in terms of decision making?
Low context cultures make decisions based on facts whereas high context cultures make decisions based on emotions and the situation rather than on facts
To what extent is there social cohesion in low and high context cultures?
Low context cultures are highly individualistic whereas high context cultures are highly collectivist
How does communication differ between low and high context cultures?
Low context cultures focus on words, indirect channels and can be direct/blunt whereas high context cultures use verbal and non verbal communication, it is often face to face and can be vague
How do low and high context cultures approach rules?
Low context cultures adopt universalism - respecting all of humankind, high context cultures protect themselves with particularism
How does leadership differ between low and high context cultures?
Low context cultures prefer qualifications and expertise in leaders whereas high context cultures value age and expertise
How does time orientation vary between low context and high context cultures?
Time is monochronic in low context - being expected to be on time whereas it is polychronic in high context cultures - punctuality isn’t important
What did Davis and Ruhe, (2003) state about corruption?
That it is pervasive in high power distance and high context cultures. It is the norm to give bribes in some cultures. e.g Goodyear bribed government officials in Kenya and Angola for supply contracts ($3.2 million)
Which countries have a higher prevalence of corruption?
- Middle East and North Asia
- East Asia and Pacific
- Sub saharan Africa
What are the relevant components of culture for business?
- Religion
- Language
- Aesthetics/Arts
- Attitude to time
How does religion affect business?
- So many religions to consider
- Strong influence on human behaviour
- Influences food and clothing particularly - McDonalds in India doesn’t sell beef
- Workplace dresscode
- Work hours in Pakistan include prayer time