1. World Cultures

2. Dimensions of Culture Hofstede et al. Compares national cultures Ways of understanding, not labels Overlap and Correlation

3. Individualist vs Collectivist -Putting the individual first -Common in the U.S. -Subcultures can differ, Both can coexist -Group decision making is by consensus -More personality/opinion in individualist -More loyalty in collectivist societies -Individualism is more diverse population -Indiv=capitalist Collec=social

4. Low vs High Power Distance The degree to which members of society are comfortable with inequality in power, influences, and wealth -India is high power distance -Ability to accept lot in life -Do not challenge authority -Dictates communication channels -low=indiv high=collec -low=empowered to change -Affects performance appraisal methods -Questioning processes, Quality issues -

5. Low vs High Uncertainty Avoidance The degree to which people tolerate risk and feel threatened by uncertain or ambiguous circumstances. -Risk vs reward -Affects how people invest -High avoidance yields fewer options -Rolling with the punches

6. Cooperative vs Competitive -U.S. is strongly competitive -Affects reward/compensation structures -Affects contractual relationships -Influences social norms -Probably goes with risk level -Team issues (function differently)

7. Punctuality vs Relationships -Collectivism -clock time vs event time -Competitiveness -Locus of control

8. Direct vs Indirect Communication -High context vcs low context -High context presumes understanding of unwritten

9. Particularist vs Universalist Text

10. Neutral vs. Affective Text

11. Tight vs Loose Text

12. Conclusion How can you improve your cultural awareness?