International and Cross- Cultural Organizational Behavior

Hofstede’s Dimensions of Culture u Power Distance u Uncertainty Avoidance u Individualism/Collectivism u Masculinity/Femininity u (Time Orientation - Short vs. Long)

HOFSTEDE’S CULTURAL DIMENSIONS Power Distance Uncertainty Avoidance lowhigh lowhigh Easy interaction of people from different backgrounds Limited interaction between low-status and high-status individuals Greater ease in unstructured, unpredictable situations Avoidance of unstructured, unpredictable situations IndividualismCollectivism Primary concern for self and family primary concern for interests of the larger group emphasis on assertiveness, competitiveness, material success Emphasis on good working conditions, security, feelings, intuition MasculinityFemininity

Time Orientation u Short-Term Orientation means that people expect fairly rapid feedback from decisions, expect quick profits, frequent job evaluations and promotions, etc.

Hofstede’s Dimensions of Culture USJapFraChilTaiWAfr Mex Ger USJapFraChilTaiWAfr Mex Ger PD UA I/C M/F TO (118)* *(China)

Other Cultural Characteristics u Language u Religion u Space (Personal) u Time Orientation (monochronic vs. polychronic)

Communication Context Communication may be used primarily to exchange information (low-context) or primarily to build social relationships (high-context) Some other cultures pay more attention to the social context of communication than does U.S. culture ( e.g., Asian and Arab countries)

Selection and Preparation of Managers for Jobs in Other Countries Selection and Preparation of Managers for Jobs in Other Countries u Expatriates = Employees who live and work in another country u Must be culturally flexible and easily adapt to new situations and ways of doing things ways of doing things –Personality –Training

Cross Cultural Training Techniques u Direct Instruction about the country u Language Instruction u Case Analyses u Sensitivity Training u Field Experience with U.S. subcultures