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1. Culture
1.1. Definition of culture
Culture can be defined as all the behaviours, ways of life, arts, beliefs ans institutions of a
population that are passed down from generation to generation. Culture has been called: the way
of life for entire society
Culture is a system of values and norms that are shared among a group of people and that
when taken together constitute a design for living.
Norms: the social rules and guidelines that prescribe appropriate behavior in particular
situations and govern the actions of people toward one another
Values: abstract ideas about what a group believes to be good, right, and desirable
1.2. Determinants of culture
Religion Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism
and A system of shared beliefs and rituals that are concerned with the realm of
ethical the sacred
system Refer to a set of moral principles, or values, that are used to guide and shape
behavior
Most of the world’s ethical systems are the product of religions
Language A system of communication used by a particular community or nation
Is one of the defining characteristics of a culture
Spoken: people can communicate with each other, the nature of a language
structures the way we perceive the world.
Unspoken: it is used in nonverbal communication by a host of nonverbal
cues.
Education Plays a key role in a society
Is the medium through which is individuals learn many of the language,
conceptual, and mathematical skills that are indispensable in a modern
society.
Political Is the fundamental questions about the state, government, politics, liberty,
philosophy justice and the enforcement of a legal code by authority
Example: Democracy, with its emphasis on individual rights, representative
government, and free elections, has shaped the political and social landscape
of many countries around the world, influencing aspects like law, civil
liberties, and citizen participation.
Social Refers to its basic social organization
structure The first is the degree to which the basic unit of social organization is the
individual
The second is degree to which society is sfratified into classes or castes
Economic Concerns itself with conceptual, methodological, and ethical issues that arise
philosophy within the scientific
discipline
of
economics
2. Culture shock
Culture shock refers to the impact of moving from a familiar culture to one that is
unfamiliar
Culture shock is a term used to describe the anxiety and feelings (of surprise,
disorientation, confusion,…) felt when people have to operate within an entirely different
cultural or social environment, such as a foreign country. It grows out of the difficulties in
assimilating the new culture, causing difficulty in knowing what is appropriate and what is not.
It might include the shock of a new environment, meeting new people, eating new food,
or adapting to a foreign language, as well as the shock of being separated from the important
people in your life: such as family, friends, colleagues, and teachers.
Example:
Difficulty with communicating
Struggling to eat the food in a new country: indian’s food
Chapter 3
1. Hofstede's 6 dimensions:
Dimensions Scale anchors
Power distance: beliefs about Low power distance: belief High power distance:
the appropriate distribution of that effective leaders do not belief that people in
power in society need to have substantial positions of authority
amounts of power compared should have considerable
to their subordinates power compared to their
subordinates
Uncertainty avoidance: Extent Low uncertainty avoidance: High uncertainty
to which people feel threatened tolerance of ambiguity; little avoidance: intolerance of
by uncertain or unknown need for rules to constrain ambiguity; need for many
situations. uncertainty rules to constrain
uncertainty
Individualism/collectivism: Collectivism: group interests Individualism: individual
Relative importance of generally take precedence interests generally take
individual vs. group interests in over individual interests precedence over group
society. interests
Masculinity/femininity: Masculinity: values material Femininity: values strong
assertiveness versus passivity; possessions, money, and the social relevance, quality of
material possessions versus pursuit of personal goals life, and the welfare of
quality of life others
Time orientation: Long-term Short-term orientation: past Long-term orientation:
vs. short- term outlook on work, and present orientation; future orientation; values
life, and relationships. values traditions and social dedication, hard work, and
obligations thrift
Indulgence versus restraint: Indulgence: Societal Restraint: Strict societal
Societal emphasis on enjoyment emphasis on enjoyment and control to suppress or
and need gratification vs. strict need gratification regulate gratification
social control to suppress or
regulate gratification.
1.1 Choose one dimension that you understand best to analyze and explain.
Masculinity in this aspect is expressed as a society where the values promoted are often
achievement, heroism, determination and material rewards for success. In general, these societies
This society is more competitive. On the contrary, femininity, represents a society that tends to
favor cooperation, promotes humility, cares for the poor and cares for quality. quality of life,
such societies tend to favor consensus."
This cultural dimension represents the degree to which society accepts or does not accept
the traditional authority of men in society.
A high Masculinity score indicates a country that is sexist. In such societies, men tend to
dominate much of the family and social power structure. Conversely, a low masculinity score
indicates a society that accepts equality between men and women. In such a society, women are
treated equally with men in all aspects.
Cultural masculinity is defined by Hofstede as a condition in which the dominant values
in society are success, wealth and material things. Hostede classifies this aspect using a scale
ranging from masculine to feminine. Unlike the original meaning of “femininity” related to
gender as often mentioned, Hofstede explains the term as a condition in which the dominant
values of society are concern for people and quality of life.
Culturally masculine countries like Japan, a country that places great importance on
money making, recognition of achievements, advancement, status in society, and willingness to
accept challenges. People are encouraged to be independent, and that achievement is measured
by wealth, social status, and recognition. The characteristic of the office is public pressure work
and many managers think that their employees don't like to work and have to control them to a
certain extent
1.2. Give examples of 2 countries (what are the indexes of those 2 countries in terms of that
aspect Interpret according to understanding)
the UK scores low for power-distance That has implications across many tiers in society,
but in the workplace it usually translates into flat team structures where hierarchy is generally for
convenience only. People will be on first name terms with managers, expect easy access to them,
and People will be on first name terms with managers, expect easy access to them, and to be
consulted..
The power distance level in Saudi Arabia is one of the highest in the world, being ranked at 80.
There are many different reasons for this power distance, the main one being religion. Saudi
Arabia is a monarchy. If you are not Muslim, you are not allowed to enter Saudi Arabia without
an invitation. You also may not leave Saudi without an exit permit. Those who visit Saudi Arabia
are expected to follow the same thorough Islamic laws as Saudis.Besides the religious influence,
some sociological and psychological reasons also promote the higher power distance. For
example, Saudi Arabians believe that obeying your superiors and supporting your government is
of the upmost
importance. Saudi Arabians accept this high power distance as part of their cultural heritage.
1.3. Give your reasons for choosing that dimension among Hofstede's 6 dimensions to present
I chose the Masculinity and Femininity dimension among Hofstede's six cultural
dimensions for presentation because of its profound impact on societal values and behaviors.
Having previously delved into this dimension in detail during a presentation, I developed
a deep understanding and appreciation for its nuanced insights into cultural dynamics. The
contrast between masculine and feminine societies provides a comprehensive framework to
explore diverse aspects such as work culture, decision-making processes, and gender roles.
I am particularly impressed by how this dimension illuminates the differences in societal
expectations, influencing everything from management styles to individual aspirations. The
Masculinity and Femininity dimension serves as a rich foundation for discussions on gender
equality, work-life balance, and cultural norms, making it a compelling choice. That reason why
I choose this dimension to present.
2. GLOBE project
GLOBE is a long-term programme divided into four phases, designed to conceptualise,
operationalise, test and validate a cross-level integrated theory of the relationship between
culture and societal, organisational and leadership effectiveness.
Aspects
Power distance Degree to which people expect power to be distributed equally.
Uncertainty avoidance Extent to which people rely on norms, rules, and procedures to
reduce the unpredictability of future events
Humane orientation Extent to which people reward fairness, altruism, and generosity.
Institutional Extent to which society encourages collective distribution of
collectivism resources and collective action.
In-group collectivism Extent to which individuals express pride, loyalty, and cohesiveness
in their organizations and families.
Assertiveness Degree to which people are assertive, confrontational, and
aggressive in relationships with others.
Gender egalitarianism Degree to which gender differences are minimized.
Future orientation Extent to which people engage in future-oriented behaviors such as
planning, investing, and delayed gratification.
Performance orientation Degree to which high performance is encouraged and rewarded.
7. When conflicts between cross-cultural management occur, how are they handled?
When cross-cultural management conflicts do occur, they can be handled by "addressing
the problem head-on" through open communication with team members and addressing cultural
differences. can affect communication and decision-making processes. This can be achieved by
promoting synergy and encouraging team members to share their views and ideas. That way,
organizations can overcome communication barriers, build stronger relationships, and achieve
greater success in the global marketplace.
Chapter 4
1. Choose 1-2 countries to illustrate (European, Western, Asian, African, Indian,
Australian, New Zealand,... Culture)
India is a "multicultural" country, where people from different regions, religions, and
ethnicities coexist. India's culture is rich and diverse, with a long history of art, music, dance, and
literature. The country is known for its hospitality, warmth, and respect for elders. Family values
are highly regarded in Indian culture, and it is common for extended families to live together.
Japan is a "monocultural" country, where the majority of the population shares a common
language, religion, and ethnicity. Japan's culture is known for its emphasis on harmony, respect,
and discipline. The country has a rich history of art, architecture, and literature. Japanese people
value punctuality, politeness, and cleanliness. They also have a strong work ethic and are known
for their dedication to their jobs.
In terms of time orientation, India is a "polychronic" culture, where people tend to do
multiple tasks simultaneously and prioritize relationships over time. In contrast, Japan is a
"monochronic" culture, where people prefer to focus on one task at a time and value punctuality
and efficiency.
Chapter 5:
1. Distinguishing between Inductive and Deductive thinking
Inductive and deductive thinking are two fundamental ways of reasoning that involve
concluding information.
Deductive thinking: defined as a process of drawing logical consequences from premises.
In this way, consequences or outcomes are derived from what is assumed.
Inductive thinking: is a process of seeking new knowledge which starts with a
generalization and concludes with a particular.
2. Choose 1 culture to analyze and explain: Japanese, Chinese, South Korea, South Korea,
Vietnamese, Philippine, Timor Leste,... culture
India is a "multicultural" country where people from different regions, religions and
ethnicities coexist. Indian culture is rich and diverse with a long history of art, music, dance and
literature. The country is famous for its hospitality, warmth and respect for its elders. Family
values are highly valued in Indian culture and it is normal for extended families to live together.
In terms of time orientation, India is a “polychronic” culture where people tend to multitask and
prioritize relationships over time.
Indian cultural values include: Family orientation, Honor for the whole family and group,
Judging success by material things, Arranged marriage, Understanding of business operations,
Encourage physical activity, Believe in fatalism,...
Indians accept a society divided into religious hierarchies with obligations and rights for
each person. Business owners/managers must be humane and know how to provide support to
help their employees advance. For family businesses, the trader from birth is given the
opportunity to have his father take over the business. Therefore, from an early age, they had to
study hard and be trained to be capable of running a business in the future. Ethical work can be
clearly identified in the business practices of Indians, especially those working for their family
companies; However, Indians are not people who devote all their time to work. Indians are
willing/comfortable in doing business with foreigners. However, to some extent they have some
doubts about the safety of the benefits that foreigners bring in transactions. Family values
structure is quite common in Indian corporate business. Family members are people who hold
important positions and are often associated with each other in the process of running the
business. The main lists are given by trade associations, groups of associations, for example, fruit
traders or jewelry traders etc. This group of associations usually operates on the basis of ensuring
benefits for all. At the same time, we are ready to support each other in difficult times.
India is a densely populated country, so people are used to living and working together.
The bus system is relatively congested and slow. Indians tend to be relatively comfortable in
using accessible language in their next communication, however they have the most restrained
attitude in public places. Indian women are often restored to men. Depending on the levels of
society, people's attitudes change with different time precision/rigor. In addition, the concept of
reincarnation also influenced the Indian view of time. structured, it is not necessary to seize
opportunities at all costs because time is a cyclical flow, and those opportunities can return in the
future (also in the next life!)
3. What influence do people of different religions have on international business? For
example.
Religion can have a significant impact on international business. Different religious
views around the world can translate into competitive business advantages. For example, the
Protestant work ethic was an important factor in the birth of capitalism in Northern Europe. In
particular, the Calvinist branch of Protestantism believes that individual economic success on
Earth is blessed by God. Work is like prayer, investing is like worship – and that's the way of
thinking that started capitalism. Industrious Protestants were the first successful capitalists.
However, correlation does not necessarily mean causation.
In global business, religion is a key factor in how global teams work together, schedule
meetings, and more. Employees want religious beliefs and practices to be regulated, including
time during the workday for rituals and time off work for rituals.
Religious beliefs can affect trade in two ways. First, shared religious beliefs can enhance
trust and thus reduce transaction costs between trading partners. This effect is especially
important for goods that are sensitive to beliefs. Second, religious differences can create trade
barriers. For example, some Muslim countries may not allow the import of products containing
pork or alcohol.
In summary, religion can have both positive and negative effects on international
business. It is important for businesses to be aware of the religious beliefs and practices of their
employees and trading partners and to take them into account when making decisions.
Chapter 6:
1. Motivation and Value, Teamwork, Work to live – Live to work
1.1. Motivation
Motivation is one of the forces that lead to performance
Motivation is defined as the desire to achieve a goal or a certain performance level,
leading to goal-directed behaviour.
Motivation is the reason or reasons why a person behaves or acts in a certain way.
Generally, a person's desire to do something is fueled by their motivation. This is a
crucial element in attaining goals in one's life. These goals can be personal, competitive,
and based on society. A lack of motivation can lead to depression and other mental
illnesses.
Ex: A student studying for an exam because they want to avoid a bad grade is driven by extrinsic
motivation.
1.2. Value
Values are a culture’s standard for discerning what is good and just in society. Values are
deeply embedded and critical for transmitting and teaching a culture’s beliefs.
Cultural values are the shared principles and ideals that guide a community's way of life.
They serve as the foundation for what people deem good, bad, right, wrong, important,
and desirable.
Values help shape a society by suggesting what is good and bad, beautiful and ugly, to be
sought or avoided.
1.3. Teamwork
Teamwork is the collaborative effort of a group to achieve a common goal or to complete
a task in an effective and efficient way. Teamwork is seen within the framework of a
team, which is a group of interdependent individuals who work together towards a
common goal.
1.4. Work to live – live to work
Work to live Live to work (workaholics)
Work to live is a scenario where the People who live to work wish to achieve
person has no attachment to their job. success in their careers and make a
Their major motivation for working is livelihood by doing the work they love
getting enough money to sustain and enjoy. They are disciplined and
themselves and their families—even if it dedicated to their jobs and take
means working in a profession they satisfaction in their accomplishments.
despise! Unlike those working to live, this kind of
With such people, the only way to live people does not take the salary seriously
this life is to work and work harder to as they are working to contribute to
pay their bills by themselves. This society and community.
somehow can lead to unproductivity, Individuals who love their work believe
poor quality work, extended working in appreciating and finding some
hours, and more, resulting in an meaning from it. While they are doing
unhealthy working style if they are what they love, these people frequently
working like a robot prioritize their work above their personal
lives.
2. Culture dilemmas
Universalism– A high-performing manager In practice, dilemmas are typically
particularism recognises, respects and between:
reconciles allegiance to ● legal contracts and loose
rule-bound activity or interpretations;
unique circumstances. ● emphasis on globalism or localism;
● human rights or special relationships;
● low-cost strategies or premium
strategy; and
● extending rules or discovering
exceptions.
Individualism– A high-performing manager In practice, dilemmas are typically
communitarianis recognises, respects and between:
m (collectivism) reconciles the individual ● profit or market share strategy;
employee’s development, ● rights or duties;
enrichment and fulfilment ● egoism or altruism;
or the extent to which the ● responsibility for self or others; and
corporation and customers ● originating ideas or refining useful
should be the beneficiaries products
of personal efforts.
Neutral or A high-performing manager Dilemmas can arise from:
affectivity recognises, respects and ● being detached or enthusiastic;
reconciles the legitimacy of ● long pauses or frequent interruptions;
showing or controlling and
emotions. ● being professional or engaged.
Specific diffuse A high-performing manager Dilemmas can arise from:
recognises, respects and ● the bottom line or general good will;
reconciles the tendency to ● data and codification or concepts and
analyse and break down the models;
field of experience or to ● being results-oriented or process-
synthesise, augment and oriented; and
construct the experience. ● facts or relationships.
Achieved or A high-performing manager Dilemmas can arise from:
ascribed status recognises, respects and ● pay for performance or vindication for
reconciles why status is worth;
conferred on people. ● status following success or status
preceding success;
● head-hunting or developing in-house;
and
● learning at school or learning through
life
Chapter 7:
1. Cultural Style of Management (A nalyze and answer questions related to monochronic –
polychronic)
Time focus (monochronic and polychronic). Monochronic and polychronic are two terms
used to describe different cultural approaches to time.
Time is related to the rhythm of nature. Different cultures have different perceptions of
time according to their environment, history, traditions and general practices. Time, therefore, is
one of the fundamentals on which all cultures rest and around which all activities revolve.
In cultures where a monochronic perception of time prevails, time is experienced and
used in a linear way. People tend to do one activity at a time and dislike having to move away
from a schedule. They are more focused on information than people, and their relations with
others may suff er because they do not fit into the schedule of things to be done.
Ex: United States, Germany, Switzerland, Japan, Scandinavia
In cultures where polychronic time is preferred, people tend to focus on several tasks and
are less dependent on detailed information when performing these tasks. Schedules, if kept, are
much more approximate and may be changed at any time.
Ex: Latin America, Mediterranean countries, Africa, the Middle East, South Asia
That explains why polychronic cultures may well have problems respecting timings within the
international working environment.
2. Model of culture
2.1. Power (hierarchy and equality) Quyền lực (thứ bậc và bình đẳng)
The power value orientation has to do with the extent to which the less powerful
members of a society expect and accept that power is distributed unequally.
In some cultures, inequality is a given and no attempt is made to make any
compensations on a socio-economic level for intellectual or physical inequalities.
In other cultures, inequality is regarded as undesirable, necessitating some form of
correction through legal, political and economic means.
3.2. Competition ( competitive and co-operative)
Management may well encourage competition in an organisation, particularly where the
environment is that of a ‘free market’.
It encourages employees to take responsibility for the organisation’s survival and can be
crucial in stimulating innovation and developing markets.
When competitiveness is valued, the culture is focused on acquiring wealth, performing well
and achieving ambitions.
3.3. Action ( activity; doing and being)
If the orientation is towards being, then this is a spontaneous expression of what is
conceived to be “given” in the human personality.
The ‘doing’ orientation, on the other hand, prefers a kind of activity which results in
accomplishments that are measurable by standards conceived to be external to the acting
individual.
The stress in ‘doing’ cultures is placed on challenging and achieving personal goals.
Prime motivators are recognition of achievement and promotion.
In ‘being’ cultures, the stress is placed on working for the moment and living the
experience rather than achievement itself. The prime motivator is the promise of future
rewards while maintaining social harmony.
5. Choose two countries with different cultures, analyze how they lead and what are the
differences between the leadership styles of those two countries?
Leadership is ability to influence a group toward the achievement of goals
The leadership style in the United States is marked by a strong emphasis on task-oriented
approaches and individual achievements. American leaders prioritize personal success, valuing
autonomy and individual effort. Corporate management in the U.S. revolves around evaluating
employees based on individual job performance, encouraging innovation, and swiftly rewarding
high-performing individuals. The culture emphasizes short-term benefits, and managers play a
supportive role by offering guidance and promptly recognizing success. American leaders are
known for their decisiveness, dynamism, and optimism, valuing both individual contributions
and the freedom of their team members.
In Japan, leadership takes on a distinctly people-centric approach. Japanese leaders focus
on creating a harmonious work environment and often use cultural standards to guide their
management strategies. Leaders in Japan play a protective role, caring for both the material and
emotional well-being of employees, fostering a strong sense of loyalty. Job security is highly
valued, and even during challenging times, leaders prioritize salary cuts for themselves rather
than layoffs for employees. Japanese management encourages ideas from all levels, but these
must undergo a systematic approval process, reflecting a collective decision-making approach
that values consensus and group harmony.