Learning Objectives 2-1 Explain why culture, especially national culture, is important in IB, but tricky to assess 2-2 Grasp the major causes of national cultural formation and change 2-3 Discuss major behavioral factors influencing countries’ business practices 2-4 Recognize the complexities of cross-cultural communications 2-5 Analyze guidelines for cultural adjustment
Using Cultural Reference Points Objective 2-1 • Cultural reference points – Culture can be useful reference point – However, culture reference points may not always be accurate
Cultural Awareness Research Objective 2-1 • Shortcomings in cultural research • Dangers in cultural awareness research – Comparing countries by what people say – Variations within countries – Outdated research
Behavioral Practices Affecting Business: Work Motivation Objective 2-3 • Work motivation – Levels of materialism – Trade off between productivity and leisure time – Success and reward – Masculinity-femininity index
Behavioral Practices Affecting Business Objective 2-3 • Information and Task processing – Perception of cues – Low and high context cultures – Monochromic and polychromic – Whole vs. the Parts – Idealism vs. Pragmatic
Challenges Communicating Across Cultures Objective 2-4 • Translation of written and spoken language • Silent language – Colors – Distance – Time – Body language – Prestige
Guidelines for Cultural Adjustment Objective 2-5 • Degrees of adjustment – Host society acceptance – Degree of cultural differences – Ability to adjust – Company and Management orientations