Unit 5 Unit 5

Management and Management and Culture DiversityCulture Diversity

Unit content Unit content 1. Cultural attitudes

2. Managing multinationals

3. You and your culture

Aim of teachingThis 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 accomplishedThe 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. 1. Cultural attitudes Cultural attitudes

11a Group work--Discussiona Group work--Discussion

  Do you think the culture of your country is similar enough to those of neighboring countries to have the same management techniques?

  Are there countries nearby where people have very different attitudes to work, hierarchy, organization, and so on?

  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. Discussion1b. 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 andthe 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

22a Discussion a 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’tlet 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 2b Reading Vocabulary:

• 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 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 IndividualismTraits of Individualism

• "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 CollectivismTraits 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 India China Vietnam Indonesia Korea Saudi Arabia Taiwan• Argentina Brazil Puerto Rico • Egypt Greece Mexico Philippines

2c. Comprehension2c. 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-for-performance unpopular in Italy, and in Asia, in Trompenaar’s example?

4. Why do universalists disapprove of particularists, and vice versa?

2d. Vocabulary 2d. Vocabulary

Find words in the text which means the following

→Keys1. rationality2. intuition3. status4. seniority5. offended6. rewards7. bonus8. humiliation9. to resign10.ethically

3. You and culture3. You and culture

3a. Discussion: you and your 3a. Discussion: you and your influencesinfluences

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. Discussion3b. 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.