Title: Problematic Cultural Differences in the Corporate World
1Problematic Cultural Differences in the Corporate
World
2Introduction
- Every individual and nation has a set of
distinctive values - Individuals and nations have certain expectations
regarding the way people think, behave, and
believe
3Limited Common Problems
- Common problems in the workplace which people
want to solve are limited - Different emphasis on which problems matter
depending on the culture - Kluckhohn Strodtbeck
4U.S. Culture (Anglo-American)
- Stress is on practical considerations
- Self-interests important
- Universalism
- Priority of individual interests
- Analytical, inductive thinking
- U.S. versus
- France, Germany, Japan, Singapore
5Value Clusters
- There is a large variation of value clusters
between cultures - Brake, Walker, Walker
6Different Ways of Thinking
- Inductive based on case studies and methodology
- Deductive reasoning based on prevailing
philosophies - Linear chunking down problems
- Systematic focus on big picture and
inter-relating parts (Hofstede)
7Inductive Thinking (US)
- Influenced by the present
- Focus on data analysis
- Focus on individual tasks
- Focus on the how, the what
8Linear Thinking (US)
- One step at a time
- Peter Senge says complex tasks and subjects
become more manageable when they are broken into
smaller parts - Disadvantage we can no longer see the big
picture.
9Deductive Thinking(European and Latin American)
- Focus on concepts and the influences of the past
which will have an effect on the future - Contextual Thinking
- Focus on the why, then on the how
10Systemic Thinking(Europe,Japan, China, Latin
America)
- Individual parts are analyzed to reveal their
connections - The whole counts, not the parts seen separately
- Spider web of connections
11Communication Preferences Low Context/US
Various European Countries
- Little interpersonal communication needed for
business transactions - Communication is (very) direct
- Importance attached to what is said, not
necessarily to how it is said - This approach can cause problems
- Typical phrases lets get to the point,
whats the bottom line?
12Communication Preferences High Context/Latin
America, Asia, Saudi Arabia
- Heavy emphasis on relationships
- Business is built on personal bonds
- Trust is essential
- Conflict and negative aspects of business are
handled indirectly - Saving face is important
13Informal Communications
- Change is good
- First name basis
- On to the new, out with the old
- Outcome over tradition
- US and Australia
14Formal Communications
- Social customs and business protocols are
observed - Rules/traditions count
- Hierarchical organizations
- Titles, last names, and formal speech
- European, Asian, Latin American, and Arab
countries
15Private Space
- Office location indication of status
- Individual offices
- Cubicles
- Independent work
- US
16Public Space
- Employees sit in one large, open office
- Group communication
- More supervision
- Group work encouraged
- Less isolation
- Asia, Latin America, France
17Time Single Focus
- One thing at a time (linear)
- Deadlines, schedules important
- Things begin on time
- High time consciousness
- US, German, Swiss cultures
- Industrialized Asian cultures
18Time Multi-Focus
- Multi, simultaneous tasking
- Emphasis on process and group work rather than
focusing on work to meet the deadline - Punctuality not an issue
- Time is organic
- Southern European, Latin American, and Middle
Eastern cultures
19Equal Access to Power
- Managing by Moses doesnt work anymore
- Employee buy-in a must
- Work is delegated
- Group discussions encouraged and important -
however, outcome is based on individuals
achievements
20Power Structure Hierarchical Organizations
- Traditional hierarchical structures still in
place - Emphasis on titles and position within the
company - People know their place
- Decision - making occurs at higher level
21Hierarchical Organizations
- Managers make decisions
- Employees expect to be lead
- Unwritten rules known and acknowledged
- Conflict avoidance prevalent
- Latin American, Arab, Asian cultures as well as
French, Belgian, Spanish and Portuguese cultures
tolerate/ support hierarchical approaches
22Pulling it all together
- It is essential to differentiate between all
aspects of culture - Understand whats important before meeting with
new cultures - Respecting different ideas and approaches