Deck 2: Organizational Diversity

Question 1

Cross-Cultural Analysis and Action. Ask a colleague to describe a cross-cultural situation in which he or she is currently involved. Analyze it from a cross-cultural perspective using any relevant dimension discussed in Chapters 1 and 2. Based on your cross-cultural analysis, what would you recommend your colleague do? What would you recommend your colleague avoid doing?

Answer 1

The cross culture situation in which Mr. X is involved in his job as marketing representative in another Country A. Country A which has individualistic cultural dimension different from X's own country cultural dimension which is collectivism. Mr. X is coming from a collectivism cultural dimension background. In this regard, in order to represent his product in country A the cross- culture perspective in individualistic cultural dimension is to be studied.
Based on the cross culture analysis, X should research and study the individualistic cultural dimension thoroughly to make people understand. In order to gain in business X must know that people are more concerned about themselves and their immediate family requirements. Hence, marketing representatives must focus on explaining how the product he is marketing will benefit individuals and family members. He should know the individual thinking, attitudes, values and behavior of people and try to market his product accordingly.
Marketing representative must not go for group voting or grouping evaluation for surveying the need and the requirements of his product from people. Person X should not market his product as per the whole group need. Mr. X must avoid thinking in the collectivism approach of people's culture in country A where he is marketing his product.

Question 2

Cultural Self-Awareness. Where is your culture located on Hofstede's original four dimensions and on universalism/particularism? How does your organizational culture differ from your national culture on each dimension?

Answer 2

Hofstede's original four dimensions in relation to the behavior and the attitude of the managers and employees showed significant differences. These differences arise from each of the country the managers and the employees belong to even though they are from the same multinational corporation. The differences did not even change over the period and time.
Hofstede's four dimensions of differences are:
1. Individualism/ collectivism
2. Power distances
3. Uncertainty avoidance
4. Career success/ quality of life
The culture of Country A is located on the uncertainty avoidance dimension of differences. Here in this kind of differences the extent to which the people in a society are threatened by the ambiguity. Thus they try to avoid any uncertainty by providing more predictability and certainty in their working methods.
The culture of Country A is based on more of the universalism rather than particularism. This means that the laws are same for everyone and its must be followed. The universal principle of what is legal is precedence over the specific or particular details.
Organizational culture of Country A differs from the national culture in many ways. Organizational culture strictly prohibits the influence of national culture in the organization of Country A. Employees and managers should behave and work as according to the need of the organization and as per the culture of the organization. National culture takes into consideration the differences in behavior, attitude, thinking and role playing into account.

Question 3

Cross-Cultural Awareness. Select a culture with which you have had contact. How does it differ from your own culture on Hofstede's original four dimensions and on universalism/particularism? How might these differences show up in negotiations or ongoing business relationships?

Answer 3

The culture of Country B differs from the culture of Country A. Based on the Hofstede's original four dimensions of the differences between the culture of the two countries Country A and Country B can be detailed below:
• Individualism and Collectivism : Country A has individualism culture where people behave as separate individual and aims in committing to themselves. Country B has collectivism culture where the people are bonded by social network. There is strong distinguishing between same groups or different groups in Country B.
• Power distance: Country A has less number of powerful members of the organizations who accept unequal power distribution. The employees accept the power of their bosses and they are dedicated to work accordingly. Country B has employees who are not ruled and dictated by the bosses, instead the employees' voices and participations are given importance.
• Uncertainty avoidance: Country A takes all measures and steps before hand to avoid any kind of uncertainty or risks. Country B takes the uncertainties as challenges and works out as required to avoid loss.
• Career success and quality of life: Country A gives more emphasis on money acquisition through career success. Country B emphasis on the concern for its people through improving quality of life and welfare practices.
Country A has universalism culture where the legal rules and laws must be abided by all. Country B is based on the particularism where the particular groups sayings and believing matters.
The difference in between the culture of Country A and Country B shows up positive influence and negotiations from ongoing business through trade and marketing. People from different culture can understand and be knowledgeable about the requirements and the work processes of different culture.

Question 4

Cultural Self-Identity. In which ways are you a product of the culture in which you grew up? How does your personal cultural background affect your values, attitudes, thinking, and behavior? How does your cultural background make it easier for you to work internationally? How does your cultural background hinder your effectiveness in working internationally?

Question 5

Cross-Cultural Interpretation. Select a situation described in the international press involving two or more cultures. Analyze the situation using Hofstede's original four dimensions, plus the universalism/particularism and task/relationship dimensions. How does your cultural analysis help to explain the situation? Given your understanding of the cultural similarities and differences, what would you recommend each side do (or avoid doing) to resolve the situation?