Theories and concepts Flashcards
What is the goal of Cross Cultural Management?
Going from being unaware of culture to being aware of cultural differences when doing business around the world
What is ‘culture’?
A set of beliefs, values and norms embedded in a human group that provides the
group with a common identity and makes sense for the behaviour of its members
Define ‘values’ and ‘norms’
Values are abstract ideas about what a group believes to be good, right and desirable; shared assumptions about how things ought to be.
Norms are social rules and guidelines that prescribe appropriate behaviour in particular situations.
Define the layers of culture (‘the cultural onion’)
- Global culture (top)
- National culture
- Organizational culture
- Group culture
- Individual culture - behaviour, values, assumptions (bottom)
What is ‘ethnocentrism’?
Ethnocentrism consists of analysing any problem or situation through the lens of one’s own culture without bearing in mind that our decisions, actions and behaviour may have a very different impact on other people than they would have in our own culture
Name Hofstede’s basic dimensions of culture (both the original 4 and the 2 latest)
Power distance (low/high) Uncertainty avoidance (low/high Individualism versus Collectivism Masculinity versus femininity Long-term orientation versus Short-term orientation Indulgence versus Restraint
Explain ‘Power Distance’, both high and low
The extent to which less powerful members of a society accept an unequal
distribution of power.
In a society with high Power Distance, people accept a hierarchical order in which everybody has a place and which needs no further justification.
In a society with low Power Distance, people strive to equalise the distribution of power and demand justification for inequalities of power
Explain ‘Uncertainty Avoidance’, both high and low
The Uncertainty Avoidance dimension expresses the degree to which the members of a society feel uncomfortable with uncertainty and ambiguity. The fundamental issue here is how a society deals with the fact that the future can never be known: should we try to control the future or just let it happen?
In societies with high Uncertainty Avoidance, loyalty to the employer is strong, and the average duration of employment is long. The conception of management is highly formalized, and there is an appeal for hierarchical control role.
Innovations are resisted. However, if they are accepted, they are applied consistently.
In societies with low Uncertainty avoidance, people maintain a more relaxed attitude in which practice counts more than principles
Explain ‘Individualism versus collectivism’
In societies with high Individualism (individualist societies), there is a preference for a loosely-knit social framework in which individuals are expected to take care of only themselves and their immediate families. People’s self-image is defined as “I”
In societies with low Individualism (collectivist societies), there is a preference for a tightly-knit framework in society in which individuals can expect their relatives or members of a particular ingroup to look after them in exchange for unquestioning loyalty. People’s self-image is defined as “we”
Explain ‘Masculinity versus Femininity’
The extent to which dominant values in a society are “achievement, assertiveness, and material rewards for succes”. Thes values are prominent in masculine societies. These societies are more competitive
In contrast, values in a feminist society are: “cooperation, taking care of others, relationships, and quality of life”. These societies are more consensus-based
Explain ‘Long-term versus Short-term orientation’
Every society has to maintain some links with its own past while dealing with the challenges of the present and the future. Societies prioritize these two existential goals differently.
Societies who score low on this dimension (short-term oriented), for example, are focused on the present or past and consider them more important than the future. The way of thinking is “I would rather have it now than later”
Those with a culture which scores high (long-term oriented), on the other hand, are focused on the future. Persistence, perseverance, savning, and being able to adapt are valued. The way of thinking is “I can wait to have it later instead of now”.
Explain ‘Indulgence versus Restraint’
Indulgence stands for a society that allows relatively free gratification of basic and natural human drives related to enjoying life and having fun. Restraint stands for a society that suppresses gratification of needs and regulates it by means of strict social norms
Name the 9 cultural dimensions of the GLOBE model
Power Distance Uncertainty avoidance Gender egalitarianism (equality) Assertiveness Institutional collectivism Group collectivism Future orientation Performance orientation Human orientation
Explain ‘Performance orientation’
This reflects the extent to which a community encourages and rewards innovation, high standards, and performance improvement.
In societies with high Performance orientation, training and development are valued, and results are emphasized more than people. View feedback as necessary for improvement. Believe that schooling and education are critical for success
In societies with low Performance orientation, societal - and family relationships are valued, and the emphasis is on loyalty and belonging. There is a high respect for quality of life. View feedback and appraisal as judgmental and disconforming. Associate competition with defeat and punishment.
Explain ‘Future orientation’
This represents the degree to which a collective encourages and rewards future-oriented behaviours such as planning and delaying gratification.
In societies with high Future orientation, economic succes is achieved, and organizations and managers are flexible and adaptive
In socities with low Future orientation, lower levels of economic succes are achieved, and organizations and managers are inflexible and
maladaptive
Explain ‘Gender egalitarianism’
The societies that are gender egalitarian seek to minimize gender role differences (create gender equality).
In societies with high Gender egalitarianism, more women are employed in positions of authority, and women are accorded a higher status in society. Similar levels of education between men and women
In societies with low Gender egalitarianism, less women are employed in positions of authority, and women are accorded a lower status in society. There are lower levels of education of females relative to males
Explain ‘Assertiveness’
Assertiveness reflects the degree to which a collective encourages being assertive, aggressive or tough in social relationships.
In societies with high Assertiveness, assertive, dominant, and tough
behaviour for everyone in society is valued. Believe that someone can succeed if he or she tries hard enough. Value expressiveness and revealing thoughts and feelings.
In societies with low Assertiveness, assertiveness is seen as socially unacceptable
and value modesty and tenderness.
Explain ‘Institutional - and Organizational collectivism’
It is basically Individualism versus Collectivism, just at both an institutional - and organizational level
