Revision

Question 1

What is the metaphor used by Geert Hofstede to represent the layers of culture?

Answer 1

The Cultural Onion.

Question 2

What do symbols represent in Hofstede’s Cultural Onion, and are they fixed or variable?

Answer 2

Symbols represent the outermost layer of culture and are subject to change over time.

Question 3

Who are considered ‘heroes’ in cultural terms according to the Cultural Onion?

Answer 3

Persons, dead or alive, real or fictitious, who possess characteristics highly regarded in a culture and serve as models of behavior.

Question 4

What are ‘rituals’ in the context of cultural practices?

Answer 4

Collective activities considered socially necessary within a culture

Question 5

What is the core of the Cultural Onion, and how is it defined?

Answer 5

Values, defined as feelings with a strong positive or negative orientation, which a child learns early and uses subconsciously.

Question 6

Describe ‘individualism’ according to Hofstede’s cultural dimensions.

Answer 6

Individualism is the extent to which people feel independent, as opposed to being interdependent as members of a group.

Question 7

What is ‘power distance’ in Hofstede’s cultural dimensions?

Answer 7

The extent to which less powerful members of organizations and institutions accept that power is distributed unequally.

Question 8

What does ‘masculinity’ signify in Hofstede’s cultural dimensions?

Answer 8

A societal endorsement of force, where men are expected to be tough and winning is important for both genders.

Question 9

How does Hofstede define ‘uncertainty avoidance’?

Answer 9

A society’s tolerance for uncertainty and ambiguity, dealing with anxiety and distrust in the face of the unknown.

Question 10

What does ‘long-term orientation’ imply in Hofstede’s cultural dimensions?

Answer 10

Cultures with long-term orientation view the world as in flux and emphasize preparing for the future.

Question 11

How do ‘indulgent’ cultures differ from ‘restrained’ cultures in Hofstede’s dimensions?

Answer 11

Indulgent cultures value freedom and gratifying impulses, whereas restrained cultures view life as hard with duty over freedom.

Question 12

n Trompenaars and Hampden’s cultural maps, how is ‘universalism’ contrasted with ‘particularism’?

Answer 12

Universalism emphasizes rules and written agreements for everyone, while particularism values personal relationships and flexibility in agreements.

Question 13

What does the ‘individualism vs. communitarianism’ dimension address?

Answer 13

The emphasis of a society on the individual or the community.

Question 14

Define the ‘specific vs. diffuse’ cultural dimension.

Answer 14

The degree to which people involve others in specific areas of their life.

Question 15

What does the ‘neutral vs. emotional’ dimension refer to?

Answer 15

The amount of emotion that is considered acceptable to display publicly.

Question 16

What is the difference between ‘achievement’ and ‘ascription’ in terms of status gain?

Answer 16

Achievement-based cultures earn status and respect, often through meritocracy, whereas ascription-based cultures grant status and respect based on one’s position, gender, and other factors.

Question 17

What does the ‘sequential time vs. synchronous time’ dimension explore?

Answer 17

How societies view and manage the past, present, and future.

Question 18

What question does the ‘internal direction vs. external direction’ dimension address?

Answer 18

Whether we have the strength and capability to control nature, or if nature controls us.

Question 19

What is ‘CQ Drive’ in the context of Cultural Intelligence (CQ)?

Answer 19

CQ Drive is your level of interest, persistence, and confidence during multicultural interactions.

Question 20

What is ‘CQ Knowledge’ in Cultural Intelligence?

Answer 20

CQ Knowledge refers to your understanding of how cultures are similar and different.

Question 21

How are ‘heroes’ typically portrayed within a culture according to Hofstede’s model?

Answer 21

Heroes are exemplars of cultural values, often embodying ideal behaviors and characteristics that are admired and emulated within the culture.

Question 22

Can you name a cultural ‘ritual’ and its significance?

Answer 22

A cultural ritual could be the French practice of ‘la bise’—greeting with a cheek kiss—which signifies social etiquette and camaraderie in France

Question 23

Why are ‘practices’ difficult for outsiders to fully grasp in a new culture?

Answer 23

Practices can be mimicked, but the underlying meanings, often unspoken and deeply rooted in the culture, are not easily understood by outsiders.

Question 24

In the context of ‘indulgence’ in Hofstede’s model, how do cultures vary in their approach to happiness?

Answer 24

Indulgent cultures may prioritize leisure, freedom, and immediate gratification, while restrained cultures may place greater emphasis on discipline and deferred gratification.

Question 25

What is an example of a ‘low context culture’ and a ‘high context culture’?

Answer 25

A low context culture might be Switzerland, where communication is direct and explicit. A high context culture could be Japan, where communication relies heavily on underlying context, shared experiences, and non-verbal cues.

Question 26

How does ‘CQ Strategy’ enhance intercultural interactions?

Answer 26

CQ Strategy involves planning, awareness, and checking assumptions during multicultural interactions to effectively navigate and adapt to different cultural contexts.

Question 27

What does ‘CQ Action’ entail?

Answer 27

CQ Action refers to the capability to adapt one’s behavior and language in response to different cultural norms and practices.

Question 28

Describe an aspect of ‘communicating’ on Erin Mayer’s Culture Map.

Answer 28

In low context cultures, effective communication is direct and clear, while in high context cultures, communication is nuanced with much left unsaid.

Question 29

How does ‘evaluating’ on Erin Mayer’s Culture Map differ among cultures?

Answer 29

Some cultures prefer frank, direct criticism, while others may use a more diplomatic approach to feedback, aiming to preserve relationships and save face.

Question 30

What are the implications of ‘persuading’ on Erin Mayer’s Culture Map?

Answer 30

Persuasion varies by culture—some rely on principles and facts (specific thought patterns), while others employ holistic arguments that may involve emotional appeal or reference to tradition.

Question 31

What does the ‘leading’ scale in Erin Mayer’s Culture Map measure?

Answer 31

It measures the level of respect and deference shown to authority figures, indicating whether a culture is more egalitarian or hierarchical.

Question 32

How does ‘deciding’ on Erin Mayer’s Culture Map manifest in different cultures?

Answer 32

In some cultures, decisions are made through consensus and group discussion, while in others, decisions are made by individuals or designated leaders.

Question 33

What does the ‘trusting’ scale on Erin Mayer’s Culture Map indicate?

Answer 33

It contrasts cognitive trust (trust built through work and reputation) with affective trust (trust built through emotional closeness and personal relationships).

Question 34

What cultural distinction does the ‘disagreeing’ scale on Erin Mayer’s Culture Map highlight?

Answer 34

It measures a culture’s tolerance for open disagreement, indicating whether disagreement is seen as constructive or detrimental to relationships.

Question 35

How is ‘scheduling’ perceived differently in various cultures according to Erin Mayer?

Answer 35

Some cultures are strict with scheduling (monochronic), focusing on punctuality and deadlines, while others are more flexible and multitask (polychronic).

Question 36

Explain the difference between ‘monochronic’ and ‘polychronic’ cultures.

Answer 36

Monochronic cultures value doing one task at a time and sticking to a schedule, whereas polychronic cultures are comfortable with multiple tasks and a more fluid approach to time.

Question 37

What’s the significance of understanding ‘high context’ and ‘low context’ cultures in international business?

Answer 37

It helps in adjusting communication strategies—direct and explicit in low context cultures, and indirect and nuanced in high context cultures.

Question 38

Why is the concept of ‘CQ - Cultural Intelligence’ crucial in a globalized world?

Answer 38

It equips individuals with the knowledge, strategy, and skills necessary to navigate and engage effectively in diverse cultural settings.

Question 39

How might ‘power distance’ influence workplace dynamics in a given culture?

Answer 39

In cultures with high power distance, hierarchical structures are more pronounced and there is less questioning of authority, whereas in low power distance cultures, there is more egalitarianism and open communication between different levels of an organization.

Question 40

What’s the role of ‘emotional expressiveness’ in cultural interactions and what are its implications?

Answer 40

Emotional expressiveness affects how people from different cultures perceive each other and dictates appropriate behavior in social and professional contexts. It’s important to match or understand the emotional expressiveness of a culture to communicate effectively and build rapport.

Question 41

What is a common criticism of Hofstede’s cultural dimensions model?

Answer 41

It tends to stereotype national cultures and does not account for subcultures or individual variation within a country.

Question 42

How might Hofstede’s model be limited in today’s global environment?

Answer 42

Hofstede’s model is based on research from the 1970s and may not reflect current cultural dynamics, particularly in rapidly changing societies.

Question 43

What is a potential limitation of using Hofstede’s ‘masculinity vs. femininity’ dimension?

Answer 43

This dimension may reinforce gender stereotypes and overlook contemporary views on gender roles and equality.

Question 44

Why might Hofstede’s ‘individualism vs. collectivism’ dimension not be applicable in all contexts?

Answer 44

Globalization and the internet have created more complex social networks that blur the lines between individualist and collectivist cultures.

Question 45

What are the criticisms of Trompenaars and Hampden’s universalism vs. particularism dimension?

Answer 45

Critics argue that it oversimplifies complex ethical dilemmas and the balance between rule-based and relationship-based decision-making.

Question 46

How might Trompenaars and Hampden’s specific vs. diffuse dimension be problematic?

Answer 46

: It may not accurately represent the nuanced ways in which different cultures engage in personal and professional relationships.

Question 47

What are the limitations of Trompenaars and Hampden’s achievement vs. ascription dimension?

Answer 47

It might not reflect modern corporate practices that value a mix of merit and experience or acknowledge the impact of globalization on workplace hierarchies.

Question 48

What challenges arise from the sequential time vs. synchronous time dimension in Trompenaars and Hampden’s model?

Answer 48

This dimension may overlook the fact that individuals and organizations often operate with a combination of both time orientations.

Question 49

Why is the internal direction vs. external direction dimension of Trompenaars and Hampden’s model considered limited?

Answer 49

It can oversimplify complex interactions between human agency and environmental factors in shaping cultural behaviors.

Question 50

What limitation does Erin Mayer’s Culture Map face in mapping cultural differences?

Answer 50

Mayer’s Culture Map may not account for intra-national diversity and the fluidity of cultural identities in a globalized world.