1. Review for midterm

2. What are the five cultural dimensions? What is a high-context culture?
What is culture?
Who is Geert Hofstede?
What are the five cultural dimensions?
Name them and explain them.
What is a high-context culture?
What is a stereotype?
What is cross-cultural communication and why is it important?

3. Cross-cultural Communication
Cross-cultural Communication is the process of sending and receiving messages between people whose cultural background could lead them to interpret verbal and non-verbal signs differently.

4. How we see other cultures
Person who is culturally more…
…can perceive behavior of foreigners from other cultures as…
Collectivists
Insulting, stressed, heartless, rude
Individualist
Dishonest, corrupt
Large Power Distance oriented
Disrespectful, improper, rude
Small Power Distance oriented
Bossy, arrogant (high status person)
Cowardly (low status person)
Feminine
Aggressive, selfish
Masculine
Weak (of men); unfeminine (of women)
Strong Uncertainty avoiding
Unprincipled, not moral
Weak Uncertainty avoiding
paranoid

5. Cross-Cultural Communication
Source: kwintessential.com

6. Individualism vs. Collectivism
In a country that scores highly on the individualism scale the following traits are common:
- A person's identity revolves around the "I" - Personal goals and achievement are strived for - It is acceptable to pursue individual goals at the expense of others - 'Individualism' is encouraged whether it be personality, clothes or music tastes - The right of the individual reigns supreme; thus laws to protect choices and freedom of speech
In a country that scores low on the individualism scale the following traits are common:
- "We" is more important that "I" - Conformity is expected and perceived positively. - Individual's desires and aspirations should be curbed if necessary for the good of the group.
Source: kwintessential.com

7. Masculinity Index So how does this manifest in a culture or country?
Below are some of the common traits found in countries that score low on the masculinity scale:
In life the main priorities are the family, relationships and quality of life Conflicts should ideally be solved through negotiation Men and women should share equal positions in society Professionals "work to live", meaning longer vacations and flexible working hours
Below are some of the common traits found in countries that score high on the masculinity scale:
Life's priorities are achievement, wealth and expansion It is acceptable to settle conflicts through aggressive means Women and men have different roles in society professionals often "live to work", meaning longer work hours and short vacations
Source: kwintessential.com

8. Masculinity Index
If you are working or doing business in a country with a higher masculinity score than yourself then:
- To succeed in this culture you will be expected to make sacrifices in the form of longer work hours, shorter holidays and possibly more travel. - Be aware that people will discuss business anytime, even at social gatherings. - People are not always interested in developing closer friendships. - Communication style that is direct, concise and unemotional will be most effective in this environment.
- People will use professional identity, rather than family or contacts, to assess others.
- Self-promotion is an acceptable part of the business culture in this competitive environment.
Source: kwintessential.com

9. Power Distance
In a high power distance cultures the following may be observed:
- Those in authority openly demonstrate their rank. - Subordinates are not given important work and expect clear guidance from above. - Subordinates are expected to take the blame for things going wrong. - The relationship between boss and subordinate is rarely close/personal. - Class divisions within society are accepted.
In a low power distance culture:
- Superiors treat subordinates with respect and do not pull rank. - Subordinates are entrusted with important assignments. - Blame is either shared or very often accepted by the superior due to it being their responsibility to manage. - Managers may often socialize with subordinates. - Societies lean more towards egalitarianism.
Source: kwintessential.com

10. Power Distance
If you are working with or going to a country with a lower PDI than yours then:
- don't expect to be treated with the usual respect or deference you may be used to. - people will want to get to know you in an informal manner with little protocol or etiquette. - be more inclusive in your management or leadership style as being directive will be poorly interpreted. - involve others in decision making. - do not base judgments of people on appearance, demeanor, privileges or status symbols.
Source: kwintessential.com

11. Uncertainty Avoidance
Common traits found in countries that score highly on the uncertainty avoidance scale:
- Usually countries/cultures with a long history. - The population is not multicultural, i.e. homogenous. - Risks, even calculated, are avoided in business. - New ideas and concepts are more difficult to introduce.
Common traits found in countries with uncertainty avoidance include:
- Usually a country with a young history, i.e. USA. - The population is much more diverse due to waves of immigration. - Risk is embraced as part of business. - Innovation and pushing boundaries is encouraged.
Source: kwintessential.com

12. Long-Term Orientation
Long-Term Orientation (LTO) focuses on the degree the society embraces, or does not embrace, long-term devotion to traditional, forward thinking values. High Long-Term Orientation ranking indicates the country prescribes to the values of long-term commitments and respect for tradition. This is thought to support a strong work ethic where long-term rewards are expected as a result of today's hard work. However, business may take longer to develop in this society, particularly for an "outsider". A Low Long-Term Orientation ranking indicates the country does not reinforce the concept of long-term, traditional orientation. In this culture, change can occur more rapidly as long-term traditions and commitments do not become impediments to change

13. High Context and Low Context Cultures
High Context Culture:- Cultures that rely heavily on non-verbal and subtle situational cues in communication.
Low Context Culture:- Cultures that rely heavily on words to convey meaning in communication.
Edward Hall

14. High Context and Low Context Cultures
 Factor
 High-context culture  
 Low-context culture  
Overtness of messages
Many covert and implicit messages, with use of metaphor and reading between the lines.
Many overt and explicit messages that are simple and clear.  
 Use of non-verbal communication
 Much nonverbal communication
More focus on verbal communication than body language
Expression of reaction
Reserved, inward reactions
Visible, external, outward reaction
Cohesion and separation of groups
Strong distinction  between ingroup and outgroup. Strong  sense of family.
Flexible and open grouping patterns, changing as needed
 People bonds
Strong people bonds with affiliation to family and community
Fragile bonds between people with little sense of loyalty.
Level of commitment to relationships
 High commitment to long-term relationships. Relationship more important than task.
 Low commitment to relationship. Task more important than relationships.
Flexibility of time  
Time is open and flexible. Process is more important than product
Time is highly organized. Product is more important than process

15. Culture Shock
Culture shock refers to the anxiety and feelings (of surprise, disorientation, uncertainty, confusion, etc.) felt when people have to operate within an entirely different cultural or social environment, such as a foreign country.
Source: Wikipedia

16. Criteria for effective Messages
It’s clear
Meaning is focused and clear –no guessing needed
It’s complete
All of the readers questions are answered
It’s correct
Information is accurate. Free from grammar errors
It saves the reader’s time
Style, organization, visuals help understanding and promote quick acting
It builds goodwill
Message presents positive image of writer/organization. It treats reader respectful and builds positive relationship

17. Questions for analysis
Who is (are) your audience(s)? What characteristics are relevant to this message? If you are writing to more than one person, how do the people differ?
What are your purposes in writing?
What information must your message include?
How can you build support for your position? What reasons or reader benefits will your reader find convincing?
What objections can you expect your reader(s) to have? What negative elements must you de-emphasize or overcome?
What aspects of the total situation may affect readers response?