D270 Midterm: Chapter 2 Flashcards
CASE: Saudi Arabia’s Dynamic Culture
How has oil changed the economic and cultural landscape of Saudi Arabia?
Growing importance of oil»_space; rapid urbanization»_space; government offers social services (education)»_space; Increased national identity, diminished traditional lifestyle
CASE: Saudi Arabia
How does religion affect business?
- Religion: Islam
- Companies must adapt to religious customs (restrictions on gender interactions, prayer 5 times a day, etc.)
CASE: What 3 factors boost Saudi female workforce participation?
- Increase in inward foreign investment
- More women studying abroad
- Women’s psychological drive to prove themselves
How is diversity an advantage for a company?
Different perspectives
Deeper knowledge of products/ services and how to create and deliver them
What is cultural collision? What causes problems with cultural collision?
When divergent cultures come into contact
- Co. implements practices that are less effective than intended
- Employees encounter difficulty in accepting/adjusting to foreign behaviors
What problem areas might hinder a manager’s cultural awareness?
- Subconscious reactions to circumstances
2. Assumption that all societal subgroups are similar
Why is it useful to use a nation as a point of reference for society?
- Similarity among people is a cause AND effect of national boundaries
- Many laws affecting business are national laws
How might cultural value systems change for an individual?
- Choice or imposition of a different culture
- Contact with other cultures
What is cultural imperialism?
Imposing certain elements from an alien culture that over time become part of the subject culture
Why should a company take religion into consideration when making business decisions?
- Many strong values are result of dominant religion
- Religion has an impact on almost all business functions
What is social stratification and how is it determined?
- Dictates a person’s class, status, and financial rewards in a culture
- Determined by individual’s achievements/qualifications and membership in certain groups
What challenges do family-run business face?
- Difficulty expanding
- Lack of resources/expertise
What is Weber’s concept?
Belief that self-discipline, hard work, honesty, and belief in a just world fosters work motivation»_space; economic growth
What makes people eager to work?
- Rewards for success are high
- Some uncertainty of success
How does the masculinity-femeninity index measure describe what people value?
- Masculinity = admired successful work achievers, little sympathy for unfortunate, preferred to be better than others, “live to work mindset.”
What is power distance?
superior- subordinate interaction preferences
What is a low-context culture?
Only firsthand info directly related to subject is relevant
U.S.
What is a high-context culture?
all (including peripheral) info is included/important (Japan)
What is a monochronic culture?
Work sequentially, not multi-tasking
What is polychromic?
Multi-tasking
What is idealism?
Preference to establish overall principles before resolving small issues
What is pragmatism?
Focus more on details than abstract principles?
What are four issues that affect degrees of successful cultural adjustments?
- Extent to which ea. culture is willing to accept introduction of anything foreign
- Whether key cultural differences are small/great
- Ability of individuals to adjust to foreign cultures
- General management orientation of company involved
How is the degree of cultural differences measured?
Averaging the cultural distance separating 2 countries on each dimension (# of countries apart)
What are the stages of culture shock?
- Tourist (delighted)
- Depressed/confused
- Become more comfortable
What is polycentrism?
The belief that its business units abroad should act like local companies
What is ethnocentrism?
Belief that one’s own culture is superior to other countries
What is geocentrism?
Integrates company and host country practices, as well as entirely new ones
What strategies should be considered when instituting change?
- Value systems
- Cost-benfit analysis of change
- Resistance to too much change
- Participation
- Reward sharing
- Opinion leadership
- Cultural bridges
- Timing
- Learning abroad
