Culture

Question 1

What is culture?

Answer 1

• System of living with different values
• the definition of values can vary for different cultures
• sometimes some values of the culture become law

Question 2

Where do the values of culture come from?

Answer 2

• History
• Geography
• Social institutions
• technical and political economy

Question 3

Different Components of culture

Answer 3

Implicit: 
- not exchangable 
- hard to decode
- beliefs
- opinions
Explicit:
- observable
- exchangable

Question 4

Progression in cultural competence

Answer 4

• Better understanding of yourself or nation
• avoiding misunderstandings
• richer, more meaningingful relationships

Question 5

Hofstede Individualism/Collectivism

Answer 5

Degree to which people prefer place primary emphasis of themselves as individuals or a group

Question 6

Hofstede Normative - Pragmatic

Answer 6

Normative (short term):
- absolute truth
- great respect for tradition
- quick results
Pragmativ (long term):
- Truth depends on context, situation and time
- ability to adapt traditions to changed conditions
-strong propensity to save and invest
- perserverance

Question 7

Context of communication

Answer 7

low context:
-direct, to the point, literal
high context:
- have to read between the lines, messages are implied (not directly communicated)

Question 8

Context of time

Answer 8

Linear Time:
- one thing at a time, strict planning with scheduling and deadlines; no interruptions; good organization over flexibility
Flexible Time:
- interuptions allowed, many things at one time, flexibility over organization

Question 9

Strategies for intercultural communications

Answer 9

• involves a greater investment of time
• keeping non verbal and context in mind
• avoid yes and no questions
• overcommunicate –> say things more often in different ways