Determinants of Culture

Question 1

WHAT IS A SOCIETY?

Answer 1

A group of people who share a common culture.

Question 2

WHAT IS CULTURE?

Answer 2

• The knowledge, experience, beliefs, values, attitudes, religion, symbols and possessions acquired by a group of people who have lived in the same region or country for years.
• It is transmitted from one generation to the next through education and example

Question 3

New people (immigrants) entering a region can either:

Answer 3

a) Assimilate into the existing culture quite easily as their language, values habits and attitudes are similar to the people who are already there
b) Form their own subculture if their culture is quite different from the existing one

Question 4

SUBCULTURE

Answer 4

• A cultural group within a larger or predominant culture, distinguished from it by factors such as class, ethnic background, and religion, and unified by shared beliefs and interests.
• Many immigrant communities exist as subcultures in Canada.

Question 5

The Determinants of Culture

Answer 5

• Religion
• History
• Topography/geography
• Political philosophy
• Economic philosophy
• Education
• Language
• Social structure

Question 6

What are the top main spoken languages in Canada?

Answer 6

• English
• French
• Mandarin
• Cantonese
• Punjabi

Question 7

WHAT IS COUNTERCULTURE?

Answer 7

A culture that has values or lifestyles that are in opposition to those of the current accepted culture

Question 8

What are the implications for international business?

Answer 8

1. Individuals and firms must develop cross-cultural literacy.
2. Must be aware of ethnocentric behaviour.
3. Cultural values can influence the costs of doing business in different countries.