Behavior in Organizations Intercultural Communications Exercise Response Paper – Week 5 The most overt cultural differences, such as greeting rituals and name format, can be overcome most easily. The underlying, intangible differences are very difficult to overcome. In this case, the underlying cultural differences are · Assumptions about the purpose of the event (is the party strictly for fun and for relationship building, or are their business matters to take care of?). · Assumptions about the purpose and the nature of business relationship. · Assumptions about power and leadership relationships (who makes the decisions and how?). · Response styles (verbal and nonverbal signals of agreement, disagreement, politeness, etc.). Many (though not all) cultural differences can be overcome if you carefully observe other people, think creatively, remain flexible, and remember that your own culture is not inherently superior to others. The Scenario Three corporations are planning a joint venture to sponsor an international concert tour. The corporations are Decibel, an agency representing the musicians (from the US, Britain, and Japan); Images, a marketing firm which will handle sales of tickets, snacks and beverages, clothing, and CDs; and Event, a special events company which will hire the ushers, concessionaires, and security officers; print the programs; and clean up the arenas after the shows. The companies come from three different cultures: Blue, Green, and Red. Each has specific cultural traits, customs, and practices. You are a manager in one of these companies. You will attend the opening cocktail party in Perth, Australia the evening before a 3-day meeting during which the three companies will negotiate the details of the partnership. Your management team includes a Vice President and a number of other managers. During the 3-day meeting, the companies have the following goals: Decibel · As high a royalty rate as possible on sales of T-shirts, videos, and CDs · Aggressive marketing and advertising to increase attendance and sales · Good security, both before and during the show Image Image · Well known bands that will be easy to market · As much income as possible from the concerts · Smoothly functioning event so that publicity from early concerts is positive Event · Bands that are not likely to provoke stampedes, riots, or other antisocial behavior · Bands that are reliable and will show up on time, ready to play · As much income as possible from the concerts The cultures that are assigned to the various companies are: BLUE CULTURE Image (Marketing Company) Beliefs, Values, and Attitudes that Underlie This Culture’s Communication Believe that fate and luck control most things. Believe in feelings more than reasoning. An authoritarian leader makes the ultimate decisions. Nonverbal Traits of This Culture Treat time as something that is unimportant. It is not a commodity that can be lost. Conversation distance is close (about 15 inches, face-.

1. Behavior in Organizations
Intercultural Communications Exercise Response Paper –
Week 5
The most overt cultural differences, such as greeting rituals and
name format, can be overcome most easily. The underlying,
intangible differences are very difficult to overcome. In this
case, the underlying cultural differences are
· Assumptions about the purpose of the event (is the party
strictly for fun and for relationship building, or are their
business matters to take care of?).
· Assumptions about the purpose and the nature of business
relationship.
· Assumptions about power and leadership relationships (who
makes the decisions and how?).
· Response styles (verbal and nonverbal signals of agreement,
disagreement, politeness, etc.).
Many (though not all) cultural differences can be overcome if
you carefully observe other people, think creatively, remain
flexible, and remember that your own culture is not inherently
superior to others.
The Scenario
Three corporations are planning a joint venture to sponsor an
international concert tour. The corporations are Decibel, an
agency representing the musicians (from the US, Britain, and
Japan); Images, a marketing firm which will handle sales of
tickets, snacks and beverages, clothing, and CDs; and Event, a
special events company which will hire the ushers,
concessionaires, and security officers; print the programs; and
clean up the arenas after the shows. The companies come from
three different cultures: Blue, Green, and Red. Each has specific
cultural traits, customs, and practices.
You are a manager in one of these companies. You will attend
the opening cocktail party in Perth, Australia the evening before
a 3-day meeting during which the three companies will

2. negotiate the details of the partnership. Your management team
includes a Vice President and a number of other managers.
During the 3-day meeting, the companies have the following
goals:
Decibel
· As high a royalty rate as possible on sales of T-shirts, videos,
and CDs
· Aggressive marketing and advertising to increase attendance
and sales
· Good security, both before and during the show Image
Image
· Well known bands that will be easy to market
· As much income as possible from the concerts
· Smoothly functioning event so that publicity from early
concerts is positive
Event
· Bands that are not likely to provoke stampedes, riots, or other
antisocial behavior
· Bands that are reliable and will show up on time, ready to play
· As much income as possible from the concerts
The cultures that are assigned to the various companies are:
BLUE CULTURE
Image (Marketing Company)
Beliefs, Values, and Attitudes that Underlie This Culture’s
Communication
Believe that fate and luck control most things.
Believe in feelings more than reasoning.
An authoritarian leader makes the ultimate decisions.
Nonverbal Traits of This Culture
Treat time as something that is unimportant. It is not a
commodity that can be lost.
Conversation distance is close (about 15 inches, face-to-face),
and touch others on the arm occasionally When in conversation.
Verbal Traits of This Culture
Frequently express gratitude and other emotions to others.
Interrupt others who are speaking and are not offended if they

3. interrupt you.
Business Customs in Your Culture
Treat women as superior to men.
Avoid conflict.
Greetings and Courtesies
When meeting or leaving someone, hug warmly but gently.
Most common phrase is “Howdy, pal!”
You call everyone by their first names, and you refer directly to
people by name frequently in conversation (e.g., “As I was
telling you, George, we want to start this project because…”).
Food
Eat and drink with gusto. In this culture, eating and drinking are
considered some of the greatest pleasures in life.
RED CULTURE
Event (Special Events Company)
Beliefs, Values, and Attitudes that Underlie This Culture’s
Communication
Believe that people determine their own destinies.
Prefer to make decisions in a democratic manner.
Believe in reason over feelings.
Nonverbal Traits of This Culture
Conversational distance is far (about 35 inches, face-to-face).
Believe that time is a valuable commodity, and don’t want to
waste any.
Openly express emotions (e.g., anger, dissatisfaction,
happiness).
Verbal Traits of This Culture
Are direct in expressing ideas and opinions.
Ask a lot of questions.
Don’t express thanks to others because in their view, people
choose their actions to create their own destinies; in other
words, if someone does something for you, he/she is also doing
it for himself/herself.
Business Customs in This Culture
Welcome conflict as a way of reaching better decisions.

4. Treat women and men as equals.
Greetings and Courtesies
When meeting someone or leaving them, shake hands firmly.
Most common expression is “Good afternoon.”
Call people, except for children, by their title (Mr., Ms.) plus
their family names.
Food
Don’t eat any raw vegetable, fruit, or grains. In this culture, it
is considered uncivilized and uncouth to do so. Raw food is
taboo.
GREEN CULTURE
Decibel (Musicians’ Agents)
Beliefs, Values, and Attitudes that Underlie This Culture’s
Communication
Members of this culture are strongly religious and believe that a
higher power directly and frequently intervenes in human
affairs.
Culture makes decisions by consensus of the group and only
after thorough discussion.
Nonverbal Traits of this Culture
Avoid eye contact with strangers.
Conversational distance is medium (about 25 inches, face-to-
face).
Verbal Traits of This Culture
Never contradict others directly in conversation.
Silence is considered a positive and affirmative signal.
Business Customs inThis Culture
Treat men superior to women.
In business settings, men and women often segregate
themselves.
Greetings and Courtesies
Call people by the courtesy title “Brother” or “Sister,” followed
by their first names.
Most common greeting phrase is “Peace.”
Bow slightly when greeting someone.

5. Food
In this culture, people are very conscious of cleanliness, so they
always tuck a napkin in thier collar before eating or drinking
anything.
Prefer food prepared according to the norms of their religion. In
settings where they cannot control food preparation, they ask
questions about the cleanliness of the food--unless it is
individually wrapped.
Your Assignment
Your paper should address the following questions:
- Which culture would you find most difficult to be a member
of? What strategies might you use to overcome this challenge?
- Which culture would you find most difficult to work with to
achieve the goals of your organization? What strategies might
you use to overcome this challenge?
- How might you prepare an employee to adjust to these cultural
differences? This is particularly true of gender differences.
Your paper should be 2-3 pages long and include a cover page
as well as 3-4 references (you may use your text as one of the
references.) I will be looking for critical analysis in your
discussions.