Module 3 - Sociocultural Forces

Determinants of a Culture

aesthetics - color of mourning, music and folklore material culture - classical theater, cooking language and communication - facial expressions, gestures societal organizations - family, Facebook

A culture's aesthetics refers to the sense of moral behavior taught to the young.

False

Anthropologist E. T. Hall suggests that the best way to learn about another culture is to read about it.

False

Cultural attitudes toward change do not affect the acceptance of new production methods.

False

Desired leadership traits are consistent among cultures.

False

History shows that businesses make few costly mistakes when making product introductions into foreign markets.

False

Hofstede's individualism-collectivism dimension measures the degree to which economic activity is socialist (communal) or capitalist (independent).

False

In low-context cultures, people tend to form long-lasting relationships that endure over time.

False

We are each born with a knowledge of our culture.

False

When we use cultural frameworks to build our understanding of another culture, we enter a values-free zone.

False

High and Low Context

HC - face-to-face relationships are important, long-term relationships, less written and formal communication, multiple ties and networks, knowledge is situational/relational, strong insider/outsider boundaries LC - verbally explicit information, people play by external rules, knowledge is codified and accessible, task-centered, sequencing of activities, interpersonal connections of shorter duration, lots of written information

The masculinity side of Hofstede's dimension represents a preference in society for achievement, assertiveness, and material rewards for success. Its opposite, femininity, stands for a preference for cooperation, modesty, caring, and quality of life. Manolis is recruiting for a new assistant who is balanced in the masculinity and femininity characteristics. Who should he hire?

Hurshey enjoys engaging his coworkers in various team-building activities and is seeking greater responsibility and salary.

In many cultures, individualism and collectivism have a significant impact on employees in the workplace. According to Hofstede's Big Idea, individualism is focused on each individual acting on his or her own and making their own choices, whereas collectivism views the group as the primary entity, with the individuals lost along the way. From the following, select the statement that best describes individualism.

Mark was recently hired at WiTalk and plans to stay with the company for 5 years to gain experience that will enable him to get better job with more pay.

According to Geert Hofstede's Big Idea, power distance is one of the cultural dimensions within a workplace, which indicates the strength of societal social hierarchy—the extent to which the lower ranking individuals of a society accept and expect that power is distributed unequally. Who best represents this characteristic?

Ming

As you review Hall's high and low context framework, which statement is accurate of the culture in the new assignment?

More explicit verbal communications will be important.

What does Trompenaars' dimension of individualism vs. communitarianism suggest to the Chinese manager?

Motivation activities in the new culture should be focused on the individual.

Although some business areas, such as accounting and finance, are quantitative, they are at the same time affected by culture.

True

Feminine cultures in Hofstede's dimensions care about relationships and are also focused on business success. For them, it is quality of life, both work and private, that matters.

True

In Hall's use, context is relevant in a communication act.

True

Trompenaars's dimension of individualism versus communitarianism and Hofstede's individualism-collectivism dimension are similar.

True

Trompenaars's dimension of universalism versus particularism measures whether universal rules or relationships regulate behaviors.

True

Which of Hofstede's dimensions reflect the idea that in the United States it is more common to seek personal gratification?

indulgence vs. restraint

Michelle is concerned with personal stability. He has a high degree of respect for tradition and will go to great lengths to protect his reputation. Which of Geert Hofstede's society social culture characteristics does Michelle best represent?

pragmatism/normative behavior