Transcript Review lecture midterm_2_2010

Review for midterm
1. What is culture?
2. Who is Geert Hofstede?
3. What are the five cultural dimensions?
Name them and explain them.
4. What is a high-context culture?
5. What is a stereotype?
6. What is cross-cultural communication and
why is it important?
Cross-cultural Communication
• Cross-cultural Communication is the process of sending and
receiving messages between people whose cultural
background could lead them to interpret verbal and nonverbal signs differently.
How we see other cultures
Person who is culturally more…
…can perceive behavior of foreigners
from other cultures as…
Collectivists
Insulting, stressed, heartless, rude
Individualist
Dishonest, corrupt
Large Power Distance oriented
Disrespectful, improper, rude
Small Power Distance oriented
Bossy, arrogant (high status person)
Cowardly (low status person)
Feminine
Aggressive, selfish
Masculine
Weak (of men); unfeminine (of
women)
Strong Uncertainty avoiding
Unprincipled, not moral
Weak Uncertainty avoiding
paranoid
Cross-Cultural Communication
Source: kwintessential.com
Individualism vs. Collectivism
• In a country that scores highly on the individualism scale the following
traits are common:
• - A person's identity revolves around the "I"
- Personal goals and achievement are strived for
- It is acceptable to pursue individual goals at the expense of others
- 'Individualism' is encouraged whether it be personality, clothes or music
tastes
- The right of the individual reigns supreme; thus laws to protect choices
and freedom of speech
• In a country that scores low on the individualism scale the following
traits are common:
• - "We" is more important that "I"
- Conformity is expected and perceived positively.
- Individual's desires and aspirations should be curbed if necessary for the
good of the group.
Source: kwintessential.com
Masculinity Index
• So how does this manifest in a culture or country?
• Below are some of the common traits found in countries that score low
on the masculinity scale:
• In life the main priorities are the family, relationships and quality of life
Conflicts should ideally be solved through negotiation
Men and women should share equal positions in society
Professionals "work to live", meaning longer vacations and flexible
working hours
• Below are some of the common traits found in countries that score high
on the masculinity scale:
• Life's priorities are achievement, wealth and expansion
It is acceptable to settle conflicts through aggressive means
Women and men have different roles in society
professionals often "live to work", meaning longer work hours and short
vacations
Source: kwintessential.com
Masculinity Index
• If you are working or doing business in a country with a higher
masculinity score than yourself then:
• - To succeed in this culture you will be expected to make sacrifices in the
form of longer work hours, shorter holidays and possibly more travel.
- Be aware that people will discuss business anytime, even at social
gatherings.
- People are not always interested in developing closer friendships.
- Communication style that is direct, concise and unemotional will be most
effective in this environment.
- People will use professional identity, rather than family or contacts, to
assess others.
- Self-promotion is an acceptable part of the business culture in this
competitive environment.
Source: kwintessential.com
Power Distance
• In a high power distance cultures the following may be observed:
• - Those in authority openly demonstrate their rank.
- Subordinates are not given important work and expect clear guidance
from above.
- Subordinates are expected to take the blame for things going wrong.
- The relationship between boss and subordinate is rarely
close/personal.
- Class divisions within society are accepted.
• In a low power distance culture:
• - Superiors treat subordinates with respect and do not pull rank.
- Subordinates are entrusted with important assignments.
- Blame is either shared or very often accepted by the superior due to
it being their responsibility to manage.
- Managers may often socialize with subordinates.
- Societies lean more towards egalitarianism.
Source: kwintessential.com
Power Distance
• If you are working with or going to a country with a
lower PDI than yours then:
• - don't expect to be treated with the usual respect or
deference you may be used to.
- people will want to get to know you in an informal
manner with little protocol or etiquette.
- be more inclusive in your management or leadership
style as being directive will be poorly interpreted.
- involve others in decision making.
- do not base judgments of people on appearance,
demeanor, privileges or status symbols.
Source: kwintessential.com
Uncertainty Avoidance
• Common traits found in countries that score highly on the
uncertainty avoidance scale:
• - Usually countries/cultures with a long history.
- The population is not multicultural, i.e. homogenous.
- Risks, even calculated, are avoided in business.
- New ideas and concepts are more difficult to introduce.
• Common traits found in countries with uncertainty
avoidance include:
• - Usually a country with a young history, i.e. USA.
- The population is much more diverse due to waves of
immigration.
- Risk is embraced as part of business.
- Innovation and pushing boundaries is encouraged.
Source: kwintessential.com
Long-Term Orientation
Long-Term Orientation (LTO) focuses on the degree the society embraces, or
does not embrace, long-term devotion to traditional, forward thinking
values. High Long-Term Orientation ranking indicates the country
prescribes to the values of long-term commitments and respect for
tradition. This is thought to support a strong work ethic where long-term
rewards are expected as a result of today's hard work. However, business
may take longer to develop in this society, particularly for an "outsider". A
Low Long-Term Orientation ranking indicates the country does not
reinforce the concept of long-term, traditional orientation. In this culture,
change can occur more rapidly as long-term traditions and commitments
do not become impediments to change
High Context and Low Context Cultures
High Context Culture:- Cultures that rely heavily on non-verbal and
subtle situational cues in communication.
Low Context Culture:- Cultures that rely heavily on words to convey
meaning in communication.
Edward
High Context and Low Context Cultures
Factor
Overtness of
messages
Use of nonverbal
communication
Expression of
reaction
Cohesion and
separation of
groups
People bonds
Level of
commitment to
relationships
Flexibility of
time
High-context culture
Low-context culture
Many covert and implicit messages, with use of metaphor Many overt and explicit messages that are simple and
and reading between the lines.
clear.
Much nonverbal communication
More focus on verbal communication than body language
Reserved, inward reactions
Visible, external, outward reaction
Strong distinction between ingroup and outgroup.
Strong sense of family.
Flexible and open grouping patterns, changing as needed
Strong people bonds with affiliation to family and
community
High commitment to long-term relationships.
Relationship more important than task.
Fragile bonds between people with little sense of loyalty.
Time is open and flexible.
Process is more important than product
Time is highly organized.
Product is more important than process
Low commitment to relationship. Task more important
than relationships.
Culture Shock
Culture shock refers to the anxiety and feelings
(of surprise, disorientation, uncertainty,
confusion, etc.) felt when people have to
operate within an entirely different cultural or
social environment, such as a foreign country.
Source: Wikipedia
Criteria for effective Messages
• It’s clear
Meaning is focused and clear –no guessing needed
• It’s complete
All of the readers questions are answered
• It’s correct
Information is accurate. Free from grammar errors
• It saves the reader’s time
Style, organization, visuals help understanding and promote
quick acting
• It builds goodwill
Message presents positive image of writer/organization. It
treats reader respectful and builds positive relationship
Questions for analysis
1. Who is (are) your audience(s)? What characteristics are
relevant to this message? If you are writing to more than one
person, how do the people differ?
2. What are your purposes in writing?
3. What information must your message include?
4. How can you build support for your position? What reasons
or reader benefits will your reader find convincing?
5. What objections can you expect your reader(s) to have?
What negative elements must you de-emphasize or
overcome?
6. What aspects of the total situation may affect readers
response?