1. Culture in the Workplace
WELCOME
Culture in the Workplace
* * *
Iran vs. United States

2. Culture in the Workplace
Group Members:
Ashley Neff
Joanne DeMarco
Ginny Leggio
* * *
Theory and Practice
Pace University
Fall 2011

3. Iran on the Map

4. Iranian Religion
91% of Iranians follow
Islam Religion
Pray 5x per day

5. Government: Islamic Republic
Iranian Culture
Religion: Islamic
Language: Persian
Government: Islamic Republic

6. Iranian President Mahmond Ahmadinejad

7. Iran vs. United States Culture in the Workplace
Iranian Flag
United States Flag

8. Culture in the Workplace
Definition:
First defined by
Edgar Schein in 1992
Corporate culture is philosophy focused on
organizational strategy
workforce behavior &
management attitudes

9. Iran vs. United States
Iran is a (hot) high-context versus U.S. which is a (cold)
low-context culture

10. Iran United States High-Context Low-Context (Hot Culture)
Relationship-based
Goal is to promote a ‘feel-good’ & ‘friendly’ atmosphere
United States
Low-Context
(Cold Culture)
Task-Oriented Society
We value capitalism, business and power

11. Family is most important to Iranians
Iranian Culture
Family is most important to Iranians

12. Culture in the Workplace
An example of Cross Cultural Communication:

13. Indirect Communication
Iran
Indirect Communication
Hidden meanings
Respect
Business card shown in two languages
United States
Direct
Communication
Value is on accuracy
Business card are printed in English - ONLY

14. Iran United States Collectivist Individualism
Identity is group & family
Behavior reflects group
United States
Individualism
Individual decisions
Can speak outside the group, family or community

15. Iranians live in multi-generational families (extended families)
IRAN CULTURE
Iranians live in multi-generational families (extended families)

16. Inclusive Communication Private Communication
Iran
Inclusive Communication
Include everybody
No private conversations
United States
Private Communication
Private conversations acceptable
Private time and space acceptable

17. Iranian Men
Men’s Roles

18. Iran United States Men Men Educated separately from women Educated
Men work in public sphere
United States
Men
Educated
Career minded
Appropriate to be with women other than their wives

19. Iran United States Workplace Workplace Trust and respect highly valued
Cultivating relationships
United States
Workplace
Conduct business with strangers
Not necessary to form lasting relationships in order to conduct business

20. Iran United States Polychronic Monochronic Flexible time and schedules
Integrating task-oriented activities w/ socio-emotional ones
View time in holistic manner
United States
Monochronic
Complete tasks one at a time
Work and Play important
Value punctuality
Value schedules
View time in linear manner

21. Iran United States In Public In Public
Kissing each other in lieu of shaking hands
Non-verbal communication important
United States
In Public
Shaking hands
Verbal rather than non-verbal communication important

22. Iranian Women
Women’s Roles

23. Iran United States Women Women
Require men’s permission to work outside home
Under-employed
Conservative Dress
Cover hair and neck with scarf
Legs covered
United States
Women
Educated
Career minded
Earn less than men
Socialize with men in workplace
Dress less conservative

24. Culture & Etiquette in Iran
Wait to be seated
Dress conservatively
Show respect
Bring gifts (business)
Time is less rigid
Hugging & Kissing acceptable
greeting

25. Culture & Etiquette in U.S.
Value Time, Money & Punctuality
Education is Important
Hierarchy in Business is valued
Respect Individualism
Separate Business and Religion
Shakes hands upon meeting (men and women)
Value Personal Space
Gift giving is discouraged

26. Iran Culture

27. Sources: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXCvAX5Wl8w