Intercultural management

Question 1

objectives

Answer 1

Develop intellectual understanding and behavioral skills depending on people from different cultures in work settings:
Develop awareness of the pervasive and hidden influence of culture on work behavior in particular, but also organizational design and organizational change.
Help you effectively deal with the types of situations and issues one often is confronted with when working internationally.
To define communication
To make a difference between the verbal and non verbal communication
To know the different styles of communication
To understand the verbal communication and non verbal communication across different cultures

Question 2

definitions of culture

Answer 2

set of distinctive spiritual, material, intellectual, and emotional features of society or a social group, and that it encompasses, in addition to art and literature, lifestyles, ways of living together, value systems, traditions and beliefs.

Question 3

Culture for Durkheim

Answer 3

‘’Culture has many relationships to society which include:

  - Logical: Power over individuals belongs to certain cultural categories, and beliefs such as in God.
 - Functional :Certain rites and myths create and build up social order by having more people create strong beliefs. The greater the number of people who believe strongly in these myths more will the social order be strengthened.
 - Historical :Culture had its origins in society, and from those experiences came evolution into things such as classification systems. ‘’  - David Émile Durkheim

Question 4

Moroccan culture

Answer 4

Morocco has been called “home” by many different people throughout the centuries. In addition to the indigenous Amazigh (Berbers), the country has hosted a variety of cultures coming from the East (Phoenicians and Arabs), the South (Sub-Saharan Africans), and the North (Romans and Spanish Andalusians – both Muslim and Jewish) throughout history.
As a conservative and religious country, clothing is something you have to be mindful of when visiting Morocco. Especially in rural areas, you should always attempt to cover body parts considered “private”. For women, this can mean covering the arms (or at least the shoulders) and the knees up. For men, it requires covering up the shoulders and above the knee.
In cosmopolitan cities, such asMarrakech, Rabat and Casablanca, the dress code is more relaxed and common to see women wear short-sleeve tops and knee-length skirts and men often wearsleeveless t-shirts.
Moroccans are a very welcoming and tolerant people towards different cultures, ideas and ways of life.

Question 5

Models of culture

Answer 5

Onion Model
Iceberg Model
Barrel Model

Question 6

Onion Model

Answer 6

The core stands for the values of a certain culture, which is not moving a lot. It mostly remains the same. Even if something seems to be outdated, it still can subconsciously play a role in the present. That includes individuals as well as groups.

The first layer is rituals. Those rituals are changing slowly. (ex: marriage, religion..)

The second layer are the heroes. Which means all people who play a role-model in that society. Heroes can be real or fictives. They tend to represent many of the culture’s values and beliefs.

The outer layers represent cultural artefacts or symbols such as flags, architecture or traditional clothing.

All three layers can be trained and learned through practices except for the core: the inner cultural values.

Question 7

Onion Model: Ex of rituals

Answer 7

Wedding rituals
Couscous on fridays
Mint tea for guests
Special meals during Ramadan

Question 8

Onion Model: Ex of heros

Answer 8

• King Hassan II
• Gad Elmaleh (Comedian/Actor)
• Fatema Mernissi (Feminist writer and sociologist)
• Tariq ibn Ziyad (commander who led the Muslim conquest ofVisigothicHispania)

Question 9

Onion Model: Ex of symbols

Answer 9

Flag : The red background on the Moroccan flag represents hardiness, bravery, strength and valour, while the green represents love, joy, wisdom, peace and hope. It also represents thecolor of Islamand the pentagram the seal of Solomon. The 5 branches also represents the pillars of Islam.
Zelig : It is a mosaic tilework. This form ofIslamic art is one of the main characteristics ofMoroccan architecture.
Fatma’s khamsa : Believed to provide defense against theevil eye.
Moroccan tea : One of the most popular symbols of Morocco around the world.

Question 10

Onion Model: Ex of values

Answer 10

Moroccan values are:
Importance of family
Religion
Hospitality
The hshouma concept..

Question 11

Iceberg approach

Answer 11

The Iceberg Model is a metaphor of an actual iceberg : we can only observe 10% of the actual iceberg, and the rest is hidden beneath the surface of the water.
These characteristics can be divided into three levels, the first being Surface, which includes all the easily observable characteristics of a culture like Behaviors.

The second level in the Iceberg Model is hidden underneath these surface characteristics. Interpretations take more time for an outsider to understand.

Deep below the “water line” are a culture’s Core values. These are primarily learned ideas. In many cases, different cultural groups share similar core values (such as “honesty”, or “respect”, or “family”), but these are often interpreted differently in different situations and incorporated in unique ways into our daily lives.

Question 12

Examples of Behaviours

Answer 12

What is observable in Morocco like : 
Architecture
Food
Music
Clothes

Question 13

Examples of Interpretations

Answer 13

Beliefs : Moroccans have a lot of beliefs such as the ‘’ein’’, the ‘hschuma’’ ect..
Family : Family is the most important thing for the majority of moroccans.
Gender role : Nowadays, women speak up for their rights, but the society is still ‘’masculine’’.
Core values : Hospitality, respect of the elder..

Question 14

Barrell approach

Answer 14

This model explains how and why people see culture the way they do. It also explains why culture changes. For example, the economic base changes because of war, peace. The superstructure changes because of new technologies etc..)
It subdiveses to 3 levels : Infrastructure (the economic base), Social structure (social organisation) and superstructure (the ideology.)

Question 15

Infrastucture in Morocco

Answer 15

The economy of Moroccois considered a relativelyliberal economy governed by thelaw of supply and demand. Since 1993,Moroccohas followed a policy ofprivatizationof certain economic sectors which used to be in the hands of thegovernment.Morocco has become a major player inAfricaneconomic affairs,and is the5th largest African economyby GDP (PPP). The World Economic Forum placed Morocco as the 1st most competitive economy in North Africa, in its African Competitiveness Report 2014-2015.

Theservices sectoraccounts for just over half ofGDP; industry — made up of mining, construction and manufacturing — is an additional quarter. The sectors that recorded the highest growth are thetourism, telecoms, and textile sectors. Morocco, however, still depends to an inordinate degree on agriculture.

Question 16

Social structure in Morocco

Answer 16

There is still a gap between the rich and the poor.

We can also observe gender inequalities in Morocco.

Question 17

superstructure

Answer 17

The hshouma concept is still a big deal in Morocco.

The hospitality of moroccans is known worldwide.

There is still a notion of respect between people, especially with elders.

Question 18

Levels of culture

Answer 18

International Culture
National Culture
Subculture

Question 19

International Culture

Answer 19

International culture is culture that extends beyond national borders. It’s not confined to a country, a people group, or even a continent! With this definition in mind, it’s not surprising to know that international culture is sometimes also referred to as universal.

Marriage is an excellent example of international culture because it’s practiced by people groups all over the world. Whether they say ‘I do’ in English, French, or Swahili, people all over the globe enter into the union of marriage. Yes, the outfit the bride wears may differ depending on her country, and the ceremony may look very different depending on the couple’s religion, but the basic premise remains the same.

Question 20

National Culture

Answer 20

National culture represents the beliefs and practices shared by the citizens of the same nation. It’s what makes an American an American and an Italian an Italian.

Question 21

Subculture

Answer 21

Subculture is often defined as the beliefs and attitudes that separate groups within the same broad culture. As a layer of culture, subculture is often made up of differences in religion, socioeconomic status, and even race. As Americans, we are very familiar with subcultures. One needs to only spend a day in New York City to experience the subcultures of places like Little Italy, Greenwich Village, and Chinatown. Yes, many of the people you see there will share the national culture.

Question 22

Cultural diversity

Answer 22

• high culture
• popular culture
• sub culture
• counter culture

Question 23

High culture

Answer 23

Sociologists use the termhigh cultureto describe the pattern of cultural experiences and attitudes that exist in the highest class segments of a society. People often associate high culture with intellectualism, political power, and prestige. In America, high culture also tends to be associated with wealth. Events considered high culture can be expensive and formal—attending a ballet, seeing a play, or listening to a live symphony performance.

Question 24

Popular culture

Answer 24

The termpopular culturerefers to the pattern of cultural experiences and attitudes that exist in mainstream society. Popular culture events might include a parade, a baseball game, or the season finale of a television show. Rock and pop music—“pop” is short for “popular”—are part of popular culture. Popular culture is often expressed and spread via commercial media such as radio, television, movies, the music industry, publishers, and corporate-run websites. Unlike high culture, popular culture is known and accessible to most people.

Question 25

subculture

Answer 25

A subculture is just what it sounds like—a smaller cultural group within a larger culture; people of a subculture are part of the larger culture but also share a specific identity within a smaller group. Each subculture has distinct norms and customs that aren't a part of the broader culture in which it is enveloped. Think of the Amish, or bikers, or hippies

Question 26

counterculture

Answer 26

Sociologists distinguish subcultures from countercultures, which are a type of subculture that rejects some of the larger culture’s norms and values. In contrast to subcultures, which operate relatively smoothly within the larger society, countercultures might actively defy larger society by developing their own set of rules and norms to live by, sometimes even creating communities that operate outside of greater society.

Question 27

Culture ETIC VS Culture EmIC

Answer 27

- An etic view of a culture is the perspective of an outsider looking in. - An emic view of culture is a perspective focus on the intrinsic cultural distinctions that are meaningful to the members of a given society, often considered to be an ‘insider’s’ perspective.

Question 28

ETIC

Answer 28

``` Universal behaviors Outside perspective Similarities between cultures Global vision Objective ```

Question 29

EMIC

Answer 29

``` Culturally specific behavior Inside perspective Uniqueness of cultures Local vision Subjective ```

Question 30

Aspects of culture

Answer 30

``` xenocentric ethnocentric polycentric sociocentric egocentric ```

Question 31

Xenocentric culture

Answer 31

The term xenocentrism refers to the desire to engage in the elements of another's culture rather than one's own. Styles, ideas and products can all be items of preference by someone with xenocentrist viewpoints. Some Examples of Xenocentrism Americans' belief that European's produce superior automotive vehicles European Renaissance artists desire to emulate ancient Greek artwork Americans belief that French or Spanish wine is superior to what is produced by American vineyards The belief that the way of dress by another culture is significantly superior and that those within one's native country should adopt that same dress The concept that a quality product can't be purchased in one's native country

Question 32

ethnocentric culture

Answer 32

Ethnocentrism is judging another culture based upon the values and standards set in one's own culture. Ethnocentrism involves a belief or attitude that one’s own culture is better than all others. Almost everyone is a little bit ethnocentric. For example, Americans tend to say that people from England drive on the “wrong” side of the road, rather than on the “other” side.

Question 33

Polycentric culture

Answer 33

The polycentric orientation operates under the premise that countries around the world have so many differences in cultural and economic mores that striving to translate practices from one country to another may be fruitless. Therefore, when a company assumes a polycentric orientation, it adapts its products, marketing and support functions for each country it operates in. 

Question 34

egocentric culture

Answer 34

In the EGOcentric society a person's identity is INDEPENDENT from a group. (Self centered).

Question 35

sociocentric culture

Answer 35

In the SOCIOcentric society a person gets their identity from the group. The person acts differently around different groups of people.

Question 36

CULTURE ELEMENTS

Answer 36

Religion Forms of Government Economic Systems Social Organization Customs and Traditions Language

Question 37

Religion in morocco

Answer 37

With 93% of its population being considered religious, Islam is the majority and constitutionally established state religion in Morocco. The vast majority of Muslims in Morocco are Sunni belonging to Maliki school of jurisprudence. The King of Morocco claims his legitimacy as a descendant of the Islamic prophet Muhammad. The second-largest religion in the country is Christianity, but most Christians in Morocco are foreigners. Only a fraction of the former number of Jews has remained in the country, many having moved to Israel. The Moroccan constitution grants the freedom to worship and congregation, while recognizing Islam as the state religion. But the Moroccan penal code contains many laws that contradict the constitution, including the 220, 222 articles of the penal code of the country, which are usually used against non-Muslim Moroccans.

Question 38

Forms of Government

Answer 38

The Kingdom of Morocco developed a constitutional monarchy based on Islamic law and French and Spanish civil law systems soon after receiving independence. The three branches of the government are : The executive branch : Includes the king, the prime minister, and a council of ministers who are appointed by the king. The legislative branch : Bicameral parliament with a Chamber of Counselors and a Chamber of Representatives. The judicial branch : A Supreme Court of Judges presided over by the monarch.

Question 39

Economic Systems

Answer 39

The economy of Morocco is considered a relatively liberal economy governed by the law of supply and demand. Since 1993, Morocco has followed a policy of privatization of certain economic sectors which used to be in the hands of the government. Morocco has become a major player in African economic affairs, and is the 5th largest African economy by GDP (PPP). The World Economic Forum placed Morocco as the 1st most competitive economy in North Africa, in its African Competitiveness Report 2014-2015. The services sector accounts for just over half of GDP; industry — made up of mining, construction and manufacturing — is an additional quarter. The sectors that recorded the highest growth are the tourism, telecoms, and textile sectors. Morocco, however, still depends to an inordinate degree on agriculture.

Question 40

Social Organization

Answer 40

The family is the center of every Moroccan's life. Children live with their families until they get married or go away to school. It is common for Moroccan women to live with their husband's family. Women are expected to take care of the home. The elderly are highly respected and are cared for by their families. Both men and women play a strong role in decision-making. Women have more freedom in the cities. More restrictions are placed on rural women. Every Moroccan is expected to marry. For many women, marriage and childbearing are the ultimate goals in life. Most women want to get married before their mid-twenties, and most men before their thirties. Not all marriages are arranged by the parents, but parents have a say in the choices made by their children. Moroccans shake hands during greetings and farewells. Close friends of the same sex commonly hug and exchange kisses on the cheeks. People of the opposite sex just shake hands. The most common greeting among Moroccans is the phrase Al-salamu alaykum, which means "May peace be upon you." The response is Wa alaykum al-salam, or "May peace be upon you also."

Question 41

Customs and Traditions

Answer 41

Traditional Moroccan Clothing : The traditional Moroccan dress for both men and women is the djellaba which is a long, loose, hooded cloth with full sleeves. The hood has a qob which protects the wearer from the sun or cold depending on the weather. During special occasions, men wear bernouse or a red cap, commonly referred to as fez while the women wear kaftans.  The largest traditional event in Morocco is considered to be the great Islamic holiday, the Holy month of Ramadan.  Mint tea Eating couscous on fridays

Question 42

Language

Answer 42

The majority of the people living in Morocco are Berbers and Arabs. The official languages are Berber and Arabic. French is also widely spoken except in the northern region where Spanish is predominant. English is mainly spoken in major tourist towns like Marrakech and other towns in the north.

Question 43

Arts & Literature

Answer 43

Moroccan art has been influenced by other cultures and nations. However, the Berbers and the Arabs are credited for building an incredible art scene in the country. Their architecture includes the famous red Kasbahs castle which was inhabited by the ruling class. The crafts feature carved doors with unique patterns and colorful carpets. The modern Moroccan art has also been inspired by the traditional Berber art and Islamic influence. One of the intriguing Islamic tile mosaics is the Zellij which begun flourishing in the 14th century. Most of the houses were decorated with Zellij as a statement of affluence and class. Over the years, Moroccan literature has grown and evolved tremendously. Books and poetry that form part of literature in Morocco have amazed, shocked and fulfilled the citizens. They have also shed light on the talents that had not yet been discovered or explored. Some of the literature in Morocco is written in Arabic, French, Berber and even in English. The diversity of Moroccan literature is truly amazing, as are the writers who pen these literary masterpieces.

Question 44

Culture characteristics

Answer 44

``` Learned Shared Takes time to develop Transmitted across generations Subject to change Cannot be isolated Essential for life ```

Question 45

Culture is learned

Answer 45

It is not biologically passed from older generations to the newer ones. It is learned through experience.

Question 46

Culture is shared

Answer 46

Every culture is shared by a group of people, usually inhabiting the same part of the world.

Question 47

Culture takes time to develop

Answer 47

It is not a set of rules made by one or more people and followed by generations. With passing time, a culture develops and even changes in the process.

Question 48

Culture is transmitted across generations

Answer 48

Cultural values are transferred across generations in the form of symbols and stories that make them easier to understand.

Question 49

Culture is subject to change

Answer 49

With passing time, some beliefs change, certain traditions or rituals are eliminated, language and mannerisms of people change, and thus their culture. Migration and globalization lead to a mixing of cultures.

Question 50

Culture is essential for life

Answer 50

Every culture is mostly influenced by cultures of the surrounding regions. 

Question 51

Values :

Answer 51

Important and lasting beliefs or ideals shared by the members of a culture about what is good or bad and desirable or undesirable. Values have major influence on a person's behavior and attitude and serve as broad guidelines in all situations. Some common business values are fairness, innovation and community involvement.

Question 52

Values, Customs, and Culture

Answer 52

While the terms 'culture,' 'values,' and 'customs' are often used interchangeably, each is actually a distinct piece of the bigger picture. A custom is a ritual or other tradition that is an outward sign of the group's cultural values. The group's values aren't always obvious right away - they run deep! Cultural values can be pieced together by observing the various customs that the people have passed down for generations.  Culture is defined as all of a group's guiding values and outward signs and symbols taken together as one big whole.

Question 53

Types of values

Answer 53

Instrumental values | Terminal values

Question 54

Terminal values

Answer 54

These are values that we think are most important or most desirable. These refer to desirable end-states of existence, the goals a person would like to achieve during his or her lifetime. They include happiness, self-respect, recognition, inner harmony, leading a prosperous life, and professional excellence.

Question 55

Instrumental values

Answer 55

Instrumental values deal with views on acceptable modes of conductor means of achieving the terminal values. These include being honest, sincere, ethical, and being ambitious. These values are more focused on personality traits and character.

Question 56

Examples of values

Answer 56

USA : Independence, Privacy, Directness, Equality, Informality, Competition, Time and efficiency, Consumerism, Work ethic. India : Family, Diversity, Pride, Innovativeness, Adaptability, Harmony, Modesty, Light-heartedness. South Korea : Harmony Tenacity, Determination, Toughness, Filial piety (Respect of the elder) Adaptability, Nationalism, Education

Question 57

IMPORTANCE OF VALUES IN AN ORGANIZATION

Answer 57

Contribute to the shared meaning in the organization. Binds people together as a community. Provides people with a common language. Tell people how to behave to achieve the organization’s vision. Contribute to organization’s vitality and performance.

Question 58

THE BENEFITS OF VALUES IN MANAGEMENT

Answer 58

Provides good basis to management for better business decisions. Improves provided services to partners/customers real needs. Facilitate innovation to support organization competitiveness . Strong awareness of value culture, with good understanding of businesss goal. Enhance communication and the efficiency of teamwork. Commitment from partners/customers and stakeholders.