DisclaimerGeneralizations do not apply to everyoneBut we should not be blind to variationsVery real differences exist betweencultures

Culture is…Shared…ValuesBeliefsIdentities InterpretationsGenerations of common experienceresulting in …

Washing Time

Punctuality

Definition of Beauty

Cultural differencesandYOUat

YOU in the Student BodyYOU with professors one-on-oneYOU with group matesYOU with other students one-on-one

" Culture is more often a source of conflict than of synergy. Cultural differences are a nuisance at best and often a disaster." Prof. GeertHofstede, Emeritus Professor, Maastricht University.

Our Student Body

Cultural Factor

Defining Culture Shared motives, values, beliefs, identities, and interpretations or meanings of significant events that result from common experience of members of collectives that are transmitted across generations. (House et al., 2004)

Cultural ResearchGeertHofstedeCulture’s Consequences: Comparing Values, Behaviors, Institutions and Organizations Across Nations(Revised 2005)IBM employees in 40 countriesRobert J. House Culture, Leadership, and Organizations: The GLOBE Study of 62 Societies (2004)

Cultural DimensionsCharacteristics of a culture, including customs and practices, that set it apart from other cultures.

Hofstede’sContinuous Cultural DimensionsPower distanceUncertainty avoidanceIndividualism – collectivismMasculinity – femininityLong vs. short term orientations

GLOBE Cultural DimensionsUncertainty avoidancePower distanceInstitutional collectivismIn-group collectivismGender egalitarianismAssertivenessFuture orientationPerformance orientationHumane orientation

Uncertainty Avoidance (UA)Degree of avoiding ambiguity by relying on established social norms, rituals, and bureaucratic practices. “I do it this way because that’s how it’s always been done.”1

Uncertainty AvoidanceUncertainty is… “tolerated” Informal interactionsInformal normsWeak desire for rules Low ----------------------------------------------------High Bolivia (3.35) Taiwan (4.34) U.S. (4.16) Germany (5.16)Uncertainty is…“a threat”Formal interactionsPolicies & proceduresStrong desire for rules

Bolivia (3.35)

Taiwan (4.34)

U.S. (4.16)

Germany (5.16)

Giving Opinion / Tell the Truth

Power DistanceDegree society expects and agrees that power should be concentrated at high levels“Authority, power differences and status privileges are accepted and endorsed”2

Power DistancePower is… “shared” Information is sharedSeen as corruptionHigh upward social mobility Power is…“concentrated”Info is localizedSeen as providing orderLimited upward social mobilityLow ----------------------------------------------------High Taiwan (5.18) Bolivia (4.15) U.S. (4.88) Thailand (5.63)

Taiwan (5.18)

Bolivia (4.15)

U.S. (4.88)

Thailand (5.63)

Institutional CollectivismDegree to which collective distribution of resources and collective actions are encouraged and rewarded3

In-Group CollectivismDegree to which individuals express pride, loyalty, and cohesivenessin their organizations or families. 4

Individualism vs. CollectivismIndividualism is… “SELF” Independent of groupsIndividual goalsCommunication is indirectCollectivism is…“GROUP”InterdependentGroup goalsCommunication is direct Taiwan (4.59) Germany (3.56) U.S. (4.20) South Korea (5.20)

Taiwan (4.59)

Germany (3.56)

U.S. (4.20)

South Korea (5.20)

Way of LifeIndividualist vs. Collectivist Society

At a Party

Contacts & Contacts

Effective LeadersIndividualistic cultureLeaders are independent, strong willed and forcefulFocused on task accomplishmentEffective leaders are autonomousCollectivist cultureLeaders are interdependent, collaborative and modestFocused on group relationship managementEffective leaders are nurturing

Opinion of Self

Gender EgalitarianismDegree to which a society minimizes gender role differences while promoting gender equality. 5

AssertivenessDegree to which individuals in societies are assertive (self-confident), confrontational, and aggressive in social relationships.6

Handling of Issues

Future OrientationDegree to which individuals in societies engage in future-oriented behaviors such as planning, investing in the future, and delaying individual or collective gratification (pleasure).7

Performance OrientationDegree to which a society encourages and rewards group members for performance improvement and excellence. 8

Humane OrientationDegree to which individuals in societies encourage and reward individuals for being fair, altruistic (unselfish), friendly, generous, caring and kind to others. 9

Grouping the World

GLOBE - Cultural ClustersGLOBE - 10 cultural clustersCoherent and convenient statistical summary of intercultural similarities and dissimilarities House et al. (2004)

AustraliaCanadaEnglandSouth AfricaU.S. PolandRussiaBoliviaEl SalvadorMexicoIndiaIndonesiaMalaysiaPhilippinesThailandSouth KoreaTaiwanVietnam

FINALLY.

Tips to successLinguistic IntelligenceSpatial IntelligenceIntrapersonal IntelligenceInterpersonal Intelligence

1. Linguistic IntelligenceTake an interest in classmates language and cultureLearn key words

2. Spatial IntelligenceUnderstand the proper behavior of others culture Learn, Demonstrate and Adapt

3. Intrapersonal IntelligenceKnow your own unique cultural style

4. Interpersonal IntelligenceInteract with other culturesRecognize the dos and don'ts of culturesAsk questions

Where to find out moreThe Geography of Thought Richard E. Nisbettwww.kwintessential.co.ukCountry profiles

My Final ThoughtsCulture effects theway we think, act and feel

My Final ThoughtsWhat’s obvious to you may be very difficult to othersWhat your upbringing emphasized other’s culture may not emphasizeYour culture may prefers one issue other’sculturepreferotherissues

My Final ThoughtsCultural differences may be misunderstood as lacking intelligence don’t be fooled…be culturally intelligent

CULTURAL DIFFERENCESYang Liuwww.yangliudesign.com

Showing your Emotions

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Chronological Line-upEnglish Alphabetical Order by CountryA to ZWithin Country – Sort by birth dateMonth & DayI from the U.S. My birthday is December 05

Small Group DiscussionsIn your country what is “On time”?In your culture do you live with you family, extended family after school, marriage, etc.?In your culture are there any unique clothing items that you wear? What do they mean?How important is work? Socialization?How close/far is a comfortable distance when talking with someone?