Week 10 (Managing Cross Culturally)

Question 1

What is culture:

Answer 1

values, assumptions, norms, and
patterns of thought,
► shared by all or most members of a
social group,
► passed on to new members of the
group,
► shapes group members’ behaviours and
perceptions of the world.
► intangible, pervasive, and difficult for
outsiders to learn.

Question 2

How cultures differ in terms of values:

Answer 2

Individualism vs collectivism
Power distance high vs low
Uncertainty avoidance high vs low
Assertiveness high vs low
Doing(Work as much as you can) vs being (Work life balance)
Performance orientation high vs low

Time Orientation: Past (Europe)
► Ideas, plans, and goals should be evaluated in terms
of how they fit with society’s customs and
traditions.
► Preserving history and honoring traditions

► Time Orientation: Present(US)
► Quick gratification; do not like to follow stick
schedules
► Do not depend on tradition to dictate behaviors

► Time Orientation: Future (Japan)
► Encourage and reward planning for the long-term
over quick gratification and short-term results

Question 3

Ethnocentrism vs ethnorelativism:

Answer 3

-a natural tendency
among people to regard their own
culture as inherently superior and to
downgrade or dismiss other cultural
values.

• is the attitude that
  cultures and subcultures are inherently
  equal

Question 4

Cultural intelligence:

And its components:

Answer 4

a person’s ability to use reasoning and observation skills to interpret unfamiliar gestures and situations
and devise appropriate behavioral responses.

-Cognitive
-Emotional
-Physical

Question 5

4 ways Cultural Differences Influence
Effective Management

Answer 5

-Communication (High vs low social context)
-Decisions Making
-Motivation
-Negotation

Question 6

Ways women lead:

Answer 6

► Good Communication Skills
► Highly Collaborative
► Relationship-oriented
Approach
► Motivational and
Goal-Oriented
—-

Is Management Style Gender
Driven?
Men
► Competitive
► Individualistic
► Prefer Vertical
Hierarchies
► Formal Authority and
position in their dealings
with subordinates
Women
► Less competitive
► More collaborative &
strive to enhance
other’s feelings of self
worth
► Relationship building &
Caring
► Inclusiveness and
Participation
► More willing to share
power and information
► Encourage employee

Question 7

Things Managers should do to manage cross-culturally effectively

Answer 7

Your Challenge As A Manager
1. Develop a personal, long-range vision
that supports diversity
2. Commit to cross-cultural
understanding and gain a general
knowledge of the dimensions of
diversity.
3. Be open to changing yourself.
4. Make a serious effort to mentor
diverse employees.