Chapter 4

Culture in the U.S.:

-Sitting in the back -relaxed -hand shakes -eye contact -drive vs public transportation -family types -eating habits -buying habits

What is culture?

A system of values and norms that are shared among a group of people and that when taken together constitute a design for living

class consciousness

A tendency for individuals to perceive themselves in terms of their class background.

The chapter made the following points: 6

All societies are stratified into different classes. Class-conscious societies are characterized by low social mobility and a high degree of stratification. Less class-conscious societies are characterized by high social mobility and a low degree of stratification.

Japan:

Always wait to be directed to your seat for a meeting, always wear formal attire, Always give a small gift to your host, never open gifts in public

group

An association of two or more individuals who have a shared sense of identity and who interact with each other in structured ways on the basis of a common set of expectations about each other's behavior.

ethnocentrism

Behavior that is based on the belief in the superiority of one's own ethnic group or culture; often shows disregard or contempt for the culture of other countries.

The chapter made the following points: 1

Culture is a complex whole that includes knowledge, beliefs, art, morals, law, customs, and other capabilities acquired by people as members of society.

Demonstrate an appreciation for the economic and business implications of cultural change.

Culture is not a constant; it evolves over time. Changes in value systems can be slow and painful for for a society.

The chapter made the following points: 11

Culture is not a constant; it evolves. Economic process and globalization seem to be two important engines of cultural change.

Spain:

Early meetings are focused on building a relationship, so it may take a few meetings for the actual business deal to happen, Punctuality is not as important in the Spanish culture

uncertainty avoidance

Extent to which cultures socialize members to accept ambiguous situations and to tolerate uncertainty

Hinduism

Hinduism has approximately 1.10 billion adherents, most of them on the Indian subcontinent. It began in the Indus Valley in India more than 4,000 years ago, making it the worlds oldest major religion. Hindus believe that a moral force in society requires the acceptance of certain responsibilities, called dharma. Hindus believe in reincarnation, or rebirth into a different body, after death. They believe in karma, the spiritual progression of each person's soul and is affected by the way he or she lives. Hindus believe that an individual can eventually achieve nirvana, a state of complete spiritual perfection that renders reincarnation no longer necessary.

Culture in South Africa:

If you board a nearly empty bus or enter a nearly empty movie theater, it is regarded as polite to sit next to the only person there

The chapter made the following points: 5

In some societies, the individual is the basic building block of social organization. These societies emphasize individual achievements above all else. In other societies, the group is the basic building block of social organization. These societies emphasize group members and group achievements above all else.

Time:

Italy: laid back, relaxed, and slow passed Germany: to the second, on top of things, very scheduled

The chapter made the following points: 8

Language is one defining characteristic of a culture. It has both spoken and unspoken dimensions. In countries with more than one spoken language, we tend to find more than one culture.

Recognize how differences in social culture influence values in business.

Of considerable importance for an international business with operations in different countries is how a society's culture affects the values found in the workplace. Management process and practices may need to vary according o culturally determined work-related values. If cultures result in different work-related values, an international business with operations in both countries should vary its management process and practices to account for these differences.

The chapter made the following points: 12

One danger confronting a company that goes abroad for the first time is being ill-informed. To develop cross-culture literacy, international businesses need to employ host-country nationals, build a cadre of cosmopolitan executives, and guard against the dangers of ethnocentric behavior.

The chapter made the following points: 7

Religion may be defined as a system of shared beliefs and rituals that is concerned with the realm of the sacred. Ethical systems refer to a set of moral principles, or values, that are used to guide and shape behavior. The world's major religions are Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism. Although not a religion, Confucianism has an impact on behavior that is as profound as that of many religions. The value system of different religious and ethical systems have different implications for business practice.

The Determinants of Culture

Social Structure Language Education Economic Philosophy Political Philosophy Religion The values and norms of a culture evolve based on: -prevailing political and economic philosophies -a society's social structure -the dominant religion, language, and education

The chapter made the following points: 13

The value systems and norms of a country can affect the cost of doing business in that country.

Individualism versus collectivism

Theory focusing on the relationship between the individual and his or her fellows. In individualistic societies, the ties between individuals are loose and individual achievement is highly valued. In societies where collectivism is emphasized, ties between individuals are tight, people are born into collectives, such as extended families, and everyone is supposed to look after the interests of his or her collective.

power distance

Theory of how a society deals with the fact that people are unequal in physical and intellectual capabilities. High power distance cultures are found in countries that let inequalities grow over time into inequalities of power and wealth. Low power distance cultures are found in societies that try to play down such inequalities as much as possible.

Summary:

This chapter looked at the nature of social cultural and studied some implications for business practice.

class system

a system of social stratification in which social status is determined by the family into which a person is born and by subsequent socioeconomic achievements; mobility between classes is possible

England:

no small talk - very formal, punctual, business cards exchanged at only at the end of meeting

mores

norms seen as central to the functioning of a society and to its social life

social mobility

the extent to which individuals can move out of the social strata into which they are born.

Norms:

unwritten rules that are acceptable in a society EX: Chewing with you mouth closed, the way you dress, elevator etiquette

folkways

routine conventions of everyday life

norms

social rules and guidelines that prescribe appropriate behavior in particular situations

social structure

the basic social organization of a society

cross-cultural literacy

understanding how the culture of a country affects the way business is practiced

Identify the forces that lead to differences in social culture.

Social Structure: the basic social organization in a society. -prevailing political and economic philosophies. -the social structure of a society -the dominant religion -language: both spoken and unspoken

Christianity

The most widely practiced religion in the world The vast majority of Christians live in Europe and the Americas Grew out of Judaism A monotheistic religion- belief in one God

The chapter made the following points: 4

The social structure of a society refers to its basic social organization. Two main dimensions along which social structures differ are the individual-group dimension and the stratification dimension.

long-term versus short term orientation

The theory of the extent to which a culture programs its citizens to accept delayed gratification of their material, social, and emotional needs. It captures attitudes toward time, persistence, ordering by status, protection of face, respect for tradition, and reciprocation of gifts and favors.

The chapter made the following points: 3

Values and norms are influenced by political and economic philosophy, social structure, religion, language, and education.

The chapter made the following points: 2

Values and norms are the central components of a culture. values are abstract ideals about what a society believes to be good, right, and desirable. Norms are social rules and guidelines that prescribe appropriate behavior in particular situations.

social strata

hierarchical social categories often based on family background, occupation, and income

Culture in China:

it is acceptable to stare at others in public it is acceptable to stand very close to others in public spaces

society

a group of people who share a common set of values and norms

ethical system

a set of moral principles, or values, that are used to guide and shape behavior

religion

a system of shared beliefs and rituals that are concerned with the realm of the sacred

caste systems

a system of social stratification in which social position is determined by the family into which a person is born, and change in that position is usually not possible during an individual's lifetime.

culture

a system of values and norms that are shared among a group of people and that when taken together constitute a design for living.

Values:

abstract ideas about what a society believes to be good, right and desirable EX: individual freedom, democracy, role of women, marriage

values

abstract ideas about what a society believes to be good, right, and desirable

The chapter made the following points: 9

Formal education is the medium through which individuals learn skills and are socialized into the values and norms of a society. Education plays an important role in the determination of national competitive advantage.

Confusianism

Found it in the fifth century B.C. by K'ung-Fu-tzu, more generally known as Confucius. For more than 2,000 years until the 1949 communist revolution, Confucianism was the official ethical system of China. Many people still follow the teachings of Confucius principal in China, Korea, and Japan. Confucianism is not a religion, but an ideology.

The chapter made the following points: 10

Geert Hofstede studied how culture relates to values in the workplace. He isolated five dimensions that he claimed summarized different cultures: power distance, uncertainty avoidance, individualism versus collectivism, masculinity versus femininity, and long-term versus short-term orientation.

Society

Group of people who share a common set of values and norms

Social Structure

he basic social organization of society

Islam

Second largest of the world's major religions Dates to A.D. 610 although the Muslim calendar begins in A.D. 622 Adherents of Islam are referred to as Muslims. Muslims constitute a majority in more than 40 countries. Islam views Jesus Christ as one of God's prophets. The central principle is that there is but one true omnipotent God (Allah). Objective of life is to fulfill the dictates of His will in the hope of admission to paradise. Other major principles of Islam include: (1) honoring and respecting parents (2) respecting the rights of others (3) being generous but not a squandeer (4) avoiding killing except for justifiable causes (5) not committing adultery (6) dealing justly and equitably with others (7) being of pure heart and mind (8) safeguarding the possessions of orphans, and (9) being humble and unpretentious Orthodox Muslims ritual: -requires prayer 5 times a day, -demands that women should be dressed in a certain manner, and -forbids the consumption of pork and alcohol Business meetings may be put on hold while the Muslim participants engage in their prayer ritual.

masculinity versus feminity

Theory of the relationship between gender and work roles. In masculine cultures, sex roles are sharply differentiated and traditional "masculine values" such as achievement and the effective exercise of power determine cultural ideals; in feminine cultures, sex roles are less sharply distinguished, and little differentiation is made between men and women in the same job.

Explain what is meant by the culture of a society.

Viewing culture as a system of values and norms that are shared among a group of people and that when taken together constitute a design for living. By values, we mean abstract ideas about what a group believes to be good, right, and desirable. By norms, we mean the social rules and guidelines that prescribe appropriate behavior in particular situations. Society refers to a group of people sharing a common set of values and norms. Folksway are the routine conventions of everyday life. Mores refers to norms that are more widely observed, have greater moral significance than other norms, and are central to the functioning of a society and to its social life.

Buddhism

With some 535 million adherents, Buddhism was founded in the sixth century B.C. By Siddhartha Gautama in what is now Nepal. Siddhartha renounced his wealth to pursue in ascetic lifestyle and spiritual perfection. His adherents claimed he achieved nirvana but decided to remain on earth to teach his followers how they, too, could achieve this state of spiritual enlightenment. Siddhartha became known as the Buddha (which means "the awkward one "). Today, most Buddhists are found in Central and Southeast Asia, China, Korea, and Japan. According to Buddhism, suffering originates in peoples desires for pleasureCessation of suffering can be achieved by following a path for transformation.