GLOBAL CULTURE Lecture 7 ALFRED NORTH WHITEHEAD

GLOBAL CULTURE Lecture 7

ALFRED NORTH WHITEHEAD n THE MAJOR ADVANCES IN CIVILIZATION ARE PROCESSES THAT ALL BUT WRECK THE SOCIETIES IN WHICH THEY OCCUR.

CULTURE DEFINED n n n The learned, shared, interrelated set of symbols and patterns of basic assumptions That are invented, discovered, or developed by a given group (nation, affiliative group, business or other organization) To help the group cope with problems it faces n external adaptation n internal integration

MASLOW’S HIERARCHY OF NEEDS n n People face needs in their lives According to Maslow, lower level needs generally must be satisfied before higher ones Self- actualization Esteem Social Safety Physical

HOW DOES CULTURE EMERGE? n People have common needs and face similar challenges, and form societies to address these challenges organizing as families and extended families then as communities and extended communities then as rural and urban groups national societies or nation-states global society?

NATIONAL CULTURE ANSWERS IINTERNAL CHALLENGES n n n Division of labor Social controls Motivate group members Legitimize and distribute power Create sense of belonging Us Them

NATIONAL CULTURE ANSWERS INTERNAL CHALLENGES n n Protect the group from outsiders and natural forces Protect resources Present an image to others Attract (or repel) new members Us Them

NATIONAL CULTURE n Forms a boundary to define the group n n Makes “us” different from everyone else n n all other people; all other nations Defines “us” as different from “them” n n geographic and psychological “they” tend to be those least like us Survival value (for the nation and person)

When describing national culture, most people are talking about dominant culture n But bear in mind: n n there will be variations there are subcultures within every nation almost everyone knows the norms of the dominant culture typically only members of subcultures know the norms of their own group

THE NINE NATIONS OF NORTH AMERICA n n Ecotopia—Northwest Corridor Mex. America, Texas, Southern Calif. , Arizona Dixie—southern states The Islands, S. Florida and the Caribbean

NATIONS TRADITIONALLY SHAPE ORGANIZATIONS

BUT INFLUENCES COME FROM MULTIPLE SOURCES n n Professional training/groups Family Subgroups, e. g. , R&D or accounting Individuals

INCREASINGLY WE ALSO SEE n Business influences come not from domestic influences alone but also from international and global business activities, e. g. , n n subsidiaries joint ventures and other strategic alliances

OFTEN CREATING CULTURE CLASH n n n between parent and subsidiary among managers in practices considered “unnatural” to the subsidiary

CULTURAL QUESTIONS YOU MIGHT CONSIDER ANSWERING 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. What cultural norms do you see in yourself? In the people who surround you on a daily basis? Give an example of when you have experienced a different culture. What was it like? What is it that other cultures have to offer to the global environment? What is the public opinion about foreign cultures and international business operations? How might these opinions be skewed? Is it possible to see different cultures close to home (i. e. in the same city, state, country)? What are the benefits and/or consequences of integrating/not integrating global cultures?

HOW IS CULTUE EMBEDDED IN PEOPLE AND ORGANIZATIONS? THINK OF CULTURE AS AN ICEBERG: you see it, but perhaps not the important parts Symbols; language Behaviors Practices Customs beliefs, traditions, priorities, assumptions, values Norms

CULTURE n Values n n n Deep seated, lasting, don’t change much Stable over time Norms n n n Social rules and guidelines Mores—things central to the smooth operation of society Folkways—routine patterns

NATIONAL CULTURE SHAPES VALUES n Cultural contrasts: n n n Tradition versus change Past versus future Purpose of life n n n Nurture the human spirit versus create wealth Modesty versus boasting Doing versus being

NATIONAL CULTURE HAS DIMENSIONS n Hofstede’s view of national culture reflected in organizations n n n POWER DISTANCE—extent to which society accepts that power is distributed unequally in institutions and organizations UNCERTAINTY AVOIDANCE—likes formal rules; absolute truths MASCULINITY/FEMININITY—masculine is assertive, acquisitive, values money and things and not caring for others, quality of life or people; whereas, femininity is nurturing and valuing quality of life INDIVIDUALISM/COLLECTIVISM—individual takes care of self and family and is low on organizational loyalty; collectivism is in-group or clan responsibility loyalty is “owed” to the group LONG TERM vs SHORT TERM ORIENTATION

FONS TROMPENAARS (1994) n n n Universalism—belief that ideas and concepts can be applied anywhere versus particularism —belief that circumstances dictate rules and relationships Individualism (self) or collectivism (group) Achievement (made) or ascription (born) Neutral—mask feelings or affective—feelings are a normal part of communication Sequential approach to time or synchronous

AND NATIONAL CULTURE SHAPES BEHAVIORS n n n how people look how people act how people speak the symbols that surround them how people interact

CULTURE CREATES EXPECTATIONS n What happens when people do not behave as you expect?

BUT HOW PEOPLE ACT DOESN’T EXPLAIN WHY n n Because specific actions, behaviors, symbols, and meanings are intended to resolve problems for a specific society And societies n n face different challenges respond to the same challenges with different solutions

THIS EXERCISE DEMONSTRATES HOW n Each person in the group should describe their views on attitudes listed on the left hand side according to their own country/culture. How are those attitudes reflected in behaviors at work? For example, in the U. S. , how is an emphasis on wealth/materialism reflected in work rewards? You are encouraged to distinguish between what we have called the “dominant” culture and any subcultures in which you live so that people in your group develop a better understanding of the wide range of culture found within nations as well as between nations.

NATIONAL CULTURE SHAPES VALUES n n n n ROLE OF WEALTH IN LIFE IMPORTANCE OF PHYSICAL SPACE ATTITUDE TOWARD TIME ROLE OF FAMILY ROLE OF WORK ROLE OF FRIENDS IN LIFE WHAT ARE LIFE’S PRIORITIES?

NATIONAL CULTURES COMPARED n n n Describe what you learned about another culture that you did not know before talking with others What can we learn from the exercise? What are things you value and find important in terms of work?

10 TEN FIRST LANGUAGES n 1 in 6 people speak Mandarin (1 billion) n n n n n English: 380 million Spanish: 266 million Bengali: 189 million Hindi: 182 million Portuguese: 170 Russian: 170 Japanese: 125 German 98 Chinese (Wu): 77