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Chapter 2: The Culture Challenge in International Business - Coggle…
Chapter 2: The Culture Challenge in
International Business
What Is Culture?
Culture refers to the fine arts, literature, and philosophy
doesn't really have one definition
varies definitions
Can be composed from material objects ideas, values, and attitudes; and normative or expected patterns of behavior
Usually they are describe for differences instead of similarities
Over 160 definitions of culture
explicit and implicit, rational, irrational, and non-rational, which exist at any given time as potential guides for the behavior of men
Economic Systems
The economic system exists so that society
meets the basic physiological requirements of its people
all humans need a certain minimal caloric intake;
potable water; and to varying degrees, protection
from the elements in terms of clothing and shelter
This is done since every society has a finite
amount of resources
Societies act different due to their resource capabilities
Societies also distributed resources diferently
Capitalism
Communism
Kinship
Barter
Marriage and Family Systems
For a socierty it is imperative that it develop systematic
procedures for mating, childbearing, and education
Educational Institutions
Knowledge needs to be passed down to avoid unneeded rediscovering
Cultural heritage is passed down from one generation
to another
Social Control Systems
If societies are to survive, they must establish some ways of preserving social order
All societies must develop mechanisms that ensure
that most of its people obey
Supernatural Belief Systems
All societies have a certain degree of control over their social and physical environments
There are a number of things that all people in a society can
understand and predict
Despite vast knowledge all societies have some supernatural beliefs
Huntington states that the new world will not experience conflicts that will be attributed to ideologies or economics, but to culture, which will be the dominating source of conflict
Culture and its Elements
Dress and Appearance
Outward garments and adornments, or lack thereof
Communication and Language
Verbal and nonverbal, distinguishes one group from another
Sense of Self and Space
Self-identity and appreciation can be manifested by humble bearing in one place and macho behavior in another, Independence and creativity are countered in other cultures by group cooperation and conformity
Food and Feeding Habits
How food is selected, prepared,
presented, and eaten often differs by culture
Time and Time Consciousness
Relationships
Gender
Beliefs and Attitudes
People in all cultures seem to have a concern for the supernatural that is evident in their different religions and religious practices
The Study of Cultural Differences
Do people believe that their environment controls them, that they control the environment, or that they are part of nature?
Do people focus on past events, on the present, or on the future?
Are people easily controlled and not to be trusted, or can they be trusted to act freely and responsibly?
Do people desire accomplishments in life, carefree lives, or spiritual lives?
Do people believe that individuals or groups are responsible for each person’s welfare?
Do people prefer to conduct most activities in private or in public?
Culture in the Workplace
Culture on specific management functions are particularly noticeable when we attempt to impose our own values and beliefs on those from another society
Cross-cultural Management and Training
International managers play a powerful role in determining the relative competitiveness of various countries in the global arena
The goal of this training is to ease the adjustment to the
new environment by reducing culture shock