1. Management and Culture Diversity
Unit 5
Management and Culture Diversity

2. Unit content 1. Cultural attitudes 2. Managing multinationals
3. You and your culture

3. Aim of teaching Credit hours: This unit is to be finished in 6 hours.
This 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.

4. The 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.

5. 1. Cultural attitudes

6. 1a Group work--Discussion
l  Do you think the culture of your country is similar enough to those of neighboring countries to have the same management techniques?
l  Are there countries nearby where people have very different attitudes to work, hierarchy, organization, and so on?
l  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?

7. 1b. 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?

8. 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 and
the 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?

9. 4. A defect is discovered in a production facility
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?

10. 2. Managing multinationals

11. 2a 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’t
let that happen.
Italian
c) What an awful idea- reporting to two different bosses!
Latin or specifically French.

12. 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.

13. 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

14. 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.

15. 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.

16. Traits 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.

17. Examples of Countries with Generally Individualistic
Cultures
Australia Canada France Ireland Italy
New Zealand United Kingdom United States

18. Traits 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.

19. Examples of Countries with Generally
Collectivistic Cultures
India China Vietnam Indonesia
Korea Saudi Arabia Taiwan
Argentina Brazil Puerto Rico
Egypt Greece Mexico Philippines

20. 2c. Comprehension How would you explain the concept of globalization?
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?
Why was the American concept of pay-for-performance unpopular in Italy, and in Asia, in Trompenaar’s example?
Why do universalists disapprove of particularists, and vice versa?

21. 2d. Vocabulary Find words in the text which means the following →Keys
rationality
intuition
status
seniority
offended
rewards
bonus
humiliation
to resign
ethically

22. 3. You and culture

23. 3a. Discussion: you and your influences
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?

24. 3b. Discussion
Which type of organization do you like to work for? Give reasons.

25. 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.