Download 1. Cultural attitudes 1a Group work

Unit 5
Management and Culture
Diversity
Unit content
1. Cultural attitudes
2. Managing multinationals
3. You and your culture
Aim of teaching
This unit aims to help students get a general
understanding of different business cultures in
different parts of the world, learn to describe the
different cultural characteristics, be aware of the
implication of cultural diversities on management.
Credit hours:
This unit is to be finished in 6 hours.
The project to be accomplished
Group work:
1. Interview more than three HR people to get their opinions
about the different work attitudes of people from different
parts of China (or from different parts of the world ,if
possible). Sum up their opinions and present your research
findings in the class at the end of this unit.
2. Browse on the internet or go to the library to find
information about the different business cultures in
different countries. Share your findings with your fellow
classmates.
1. Cultural attitudes
1a Group work--Discussion
l Do you think the culture of your country is similar enough
to those of neighboring countries to have the same
management techniques?
l Are there countries nearby where people have very
different attitudes to work, hierarchy, organization, and
so on?
l Multinational companies can either attempt to use similar
management methods in all their subsidiaries, or adapt
their methods to the local culture in each country or
continent. Which procedure do you think is the most
efficient?
1b. Discussion
A Dutch researcher, Fons Trompenaars, and his
associates, have asked nearly 15,000 business people
in over 50 countries a number of questions which
reveal differing cultural beliefs and attitudes to work.
The following are five of them adapted from Riding
the Waves of Culture:Understanding Culture Diversity
in Business. They concern ways of working, individuals
and groups, rules, and personal friendships, and so on.
What are your answers to the question?
1. If you had to choose, would you say that a company is a
system designed to perform functions and tasks in an
efficient way, using machines and people, or a group of
people whose functioning depends on social relations and
the way people work together?
2. What is the main reason for having an organizational
structure in a company? So that everyone knows who has
authority over whom, or so that everyone knows how
functions are allocated and coordinated?
3. Will the quality of an individual’s life improve if he or she
has as much freedom as possible and the maximum
opportunity to develop personally, or the quality of life for
everyone improve if individuals are continuously taking care of
their following human beings, even if this limits individual
freedom and development?
4. A defect is discovered in a production facility. It was caused
by Negligence by one of the members of a team. Would you
say that the person causing the defect by negligence is the
one responsible, or because he or she is working in a team
the responsibility should be carried by the whole group?
5. Imagine that you are a passenger in a car driven by a close
friend who hits and quite seriously injures a pedestrian while
driving at least 25 kilometers an hour too fast in town. There
are no other witnesses. Your friend’s lawyer says that it will
help him a lot if you testify that he was driving within the
speed limit. Should your friend expect you to do this?
2. Managing
multinationals
2a Discussion
What nationalities could the managers below
typically be?
a) I want to get this contract signed fast and get the plane home!
American
b) If I go on selling like this, I’ll earn more than the boss! I can’t
let that happen.
Italian
c) What an awful idea- reporting to two different bosses!
Latin or specifically French.
d) He looks much too young to be doing a major deal
like this!
Asian or Southern European or Latin America.
e) There’s no hurry! Tonight, you can come and eat at my
house, and tomorrow we’ll play golf!
Asian or Southern European or Latin America.
2b Reading
Vocabulary:
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cross cultural 跨文化
globalization 全球化
localization 本土化
rationality 理性
protestant culture 清教徒文化
individualist 个人主义者
aggressive 有进取心的
dynamic 充满活力
MBA 工商管理硕士
be accorded to---be the same as; agree with 保持一致
seniority---the state of being older or higher 资历年功
pay for performance 按绩效决定报酬
collectivist 集体主义者；
bonus--- an additional payment beyond usual 奖金
inadequate--- the state of being unqualified 不称职
humiliation--- cause to feel ashamed 使蒙羞
collectivist and individualist
Cultures are typically divided into two categories: collectivist
and individualist. Individualist cultures, such as those of the
United States, emphasize personal achievement. Collectivist
cultures, such as those of China, Korea, and Guam（关岛）,
emphasize family and work group goals. Western Europe
has a high regard for competitiveness, but group goals are
very popular as well. Most Western Europeans believe that
only the state can guarantee good treatment of disabled and
old people and ensure equal chances for all youth to make a
career. Certain developing countries like India also believe in
the same principle.
Personality Types
• The stereotype of a 'good person' in
collectivist cultures is trustworthy, honest,
generous, and sensitive, all characteristics
that are helpful to people working in groups.
In contrast, a 'good person' in individualist
cultures is more assertive and strong,
characteristics helpful for competing.
Traits of Individualism
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"I" identity.
Promotes individual goals, initiative and achievement.
Achievement of personal goals
Each person is encouraged to stand out, be unique and
express themselves.
• Individual rights seen as most important. Rules attempt to
impede(阻碍) independence, choices and freedom of speech.
• Fitting in and conforming to group norms is unnecessary or
even discouraged.
• Relying or being dependent on others is seen as shameful.
People are encouraged to do things on their own, to rely on
themselves.
Examples of Countries with Generally Individualistic
Cultures
Australia Canada France Ireland Italy
New Zealand
United Kingdom United States
Traits of Collectivism
• "We" not "me" orientation.
• Each person is encouraged to conform to society, to do
what is best for the group and to not openly express
opinions or beliefs that go against it.
• Group, family or rights for the common good are seen as
more important than the rights of individuals.
• Rules promote stability, order, obedience.
• Strong family values
• Fitting in or conforming to group or society is required.
Examples of Countries with Generally
Collectivistic Cultures
l India
China
Vietnam
Indonesia
Korea
Saudi Arabia
Taiwan
• Argentina
Brazil
Puerto Rico
• Egypt
Greece
Mexico
Philippines
2c. Comprehension
1. How would you explain the concept of
globalization?
2. Why might a 50-year-old Japanese manager be
offended if he had to negotiate with or report to
a well-educated but inexperienced 30-year-old
American?
3. Why was the American concept of pay-forperformance unpopular in Italy, and in Asia, in
Trompenaar’s example?
4. Why do universalists disapprove of particularists,
and vice versa?
2d. Vocabulary
Find words in the text which means the following
→Keys
1. rationality
2. intuition
3. status
4. seniority
5. offended
6. rewards
7. bonus
8. humiliation
9. to resign
10. ethically
3. You and culture
3a. Discussion: you and your
influences
1. Which of the following do you think have
been the most important influences on you?
Do you think the same is true of most
people?
2. Do you believe that it is possible to sum up
national characteristics in a few words?
3b. Discussion
• Which type of organization do you like to
work for? Give reasons.
3d. Discussion: corporate culture
3e. Discussion: body language
3f. Discussion: going abroad
3g. Writing: write a memo to a foreigner who
is going to work in your country on a
project lasting for several weeks.