Global Business Today 12e Assignment - Chapter 4: Differences in Culture

Which Religion? Economic Implication: Suffering originates in a person's desire for pleasure.

Buddhism

Which Religion? Key Aspect: A path for transformation

Buddhism

Which Religion? Economic Implication: A monotheistic religion—the belief in one God.

Christianity

Which Religion? Key Aspect: "Son of God"

Christianity

Which dimension of Hofstede's Cultural Values is represented? Ben Ben has very loose ties with his family and enjoys wearing provocative a sense of freedom and uniqueness. He shows no interest in joining the family business.

Dimension of Hofstede's Cultural Values: Individualism/Collectivism

Which dimension of Hofstede's Cultural Values is represented? Jiro Jiro is extremely driven and assertive. His goal is to become the most powerful man in the company.

Dimension of Hofstede's Cultural Values: Masculinity/Femininity

Values, Folkways, or Mores? Japanese business etiquette The importance of ritualistic and symbolic behavior of bowing when meeting Japanese business executives.

Folkways

Values, Folkways, or Mores? Time orientation How time is viewed when conducting business meetings in Western countries as opposed to Latin American and Middle Eastern countries.

Folkways

Which Religion? Economic Implication: A moral force requires the acceptance of certain responsibilities.

Hinduism

Which Religion? Key Aspect: Dharma

Hinduism

Which Religion? Economic Implication: In order to escape growing opposition, the prophet Muhammad left Mecca.

Islam

Which Religion? Key Aspect: Pilgrimage to Mecca

Islam

Values, Folkways, or Mores? Freedom Freedom to have democratically free market capitalism.

Values

Values, Folkways, or Mores? Role of women The way a society views the role of women.

Values

Chapter Opening Case: Russian Culture You are about to read a short case exploring Russian culture. Understanding Russia's rich culture can be difficult for some Westerners. You will be asked to answer questions linking your knowledge from the chapter to the situation detailed in the case. This activity is important because as a manager in international business, you must be able to understand and appreciate cultural differences and how those differences affect the way business is practiced. Today's managers are expected to know and understand the basic social rules of a country and the values and norms that govern behavior. The goal is to demonstrate your understanding of differences in culture and the implications of cultural change for business. Read the case and answer the questions that follow. The great British statesman, Winston Churchill, once famously described Russia as a "riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma." Churchill's statement reflects the difficulty that Westerners often have in understanding Russian culture, which is different in important ways from the Anglo-Saxon traditions that underpin Western culture as found in countries such as Britain and the United States. Russia has a rich culture that reflects a long and unique history dating back to the founding in 882 of the proto Russian state, Kievan Rus, by Viking invaders of territory long occupied by Slavic tribes. Over time, the minority Viking military aristocracy merged with local Slavic population. Kievan Rus was particularly important for its introduction of Eastern Orthodox religion, creating close ties between the state and the church, a relationship that was to color much of the next 1,000 years of Russian history. Crucially, Kievan princes kept the church dependent upon them, even for revenues, turning the church into an instrument of the ruling class, something that seems to be reemerging today despite the fact that the country was governed by the officially atheist Communist Party for much of the twentieth century. The modern Russian state dates back to the establishment of the Grand Dutchy of Moscow in 1283. Over its history, Russia has very limited experience with democracy, having been ruled by autocratic tsars for hundreds of years and then, between 1917 and 1991, by a centralized and repressive communist regime. Although Russia experimented with democracy between 1991 and 2000, it has shifted back toward a centralized authoritarian state under the rule of Vladimir Putin, a development that a significant segment of the Russian population seems to accept with characteristic Russian stoicism. Academic research has suggested that the values held by the typical Russian differ from those held by Americans and British in important ways. Reflecting its history of autocracy, Russia is characterized by high acceptance of the unequal distribution of power in society. Social status is important in all spheres of life, including business relationships, and Russians accept this to a much greater degree than, for example, the British or Americans. Similarly, while individualism is a highly valued cultural attribute in Britain and the United States, it is seen as less important in Russia, where conformity and community are highly valued. The emphasis on community over individual is argued to date back to the fact that for generations, Russian life was centered on the agricultural village commune, where the land was held in common and decision making was the preserve of an assembly of the heads of households. Russians also have a greater tendency than Westerners to avoid uncertain or ambiguous situations, which are seen as threatening. This is perhaps not surprising, given that for generations under communist rule, behaving the wrong way could get one sent to the Gulag, or worse. Not conforming could also be a problem in Tsarist Russia. One way in which Russians seek to avoid uncertainty is by adhering to the formal and informal rules of society, which tell them how to behave in certain situations. A sign of this is Russian government bureaucracy, which is highly complex and rule driven. The tendency to avoid uncertainty may make Russians less innovative and entrepreneurial than Westerners; thus, the culture of Russia may have an impact on the business environment. At the same time, Russians have a tendency toward pessimism and cynicism, a feeling that social norms and rules restrict people's actions and behaviors and that they cannot influence this. On a lighter note, it's often noted that Russians do not seem to smile as readily as Americans. By outsiders, this is typically attributed to Russian stoicism, which is itself seen as a consequence of how hard life has often been in Russia. However, Russians themselves are often perplexed by how much Americans smile. A Russian will smile when something funny has happened, but smiling when nothing funny has occurred, as Americans often do, is seen by Russians as rather odd. This difference in behavior can lead to some confusion. Americans visiting Russia are often perplexed and somewhat concerned by the lack of smiles on the faces of people they interact with and wonder what they might have done wrong. Russians can be just as confused by a grinning American when nothing funny has been said, and they might wonder, "why is this person laughing at me; what have I done wrong?" Sources: Country Comparison, Hofstede Insights, https://www.hofstede-insights.com/; Country Report: Russia, Commisceo Global, Commisceo-Global.com; Olga Khazan, "Why Some Cultures Frown on Smiling," The Atlantic, May 27, 2016; Natalija Tancjura, "Why Russians Do Not Smile, Chicago Maroon, April 12, 2002.

An American businessperson in Russia who recognizes that a lack of a smile by their Russian counterpart does not indicate that the American has done anything wrong might have a high degree of cross-cultural literacy. Explanation: An American businessperson in Russia who recognizes that a lack of a smile by their Russian counterpart does not indicate that the American has done anything wrong might have a high degree of cross-cultural literacy. Cross-cultural literacy refers to understanding how cultural differences across and within countries can have an effect on the way business is practiced. The general acceptance by Russians of hierarchy and power differentials arising from social status reflects their values. Explanation: The general acceptance by Russians of hierarchy and power differentials arising from social status reflects their values. Russians tend to rank low on individualism and high on uncertainty avoidance. Explanation: Russians tend to rank low on individualism and high on uncertainty avoidance. Many Russians feel that smiling when nothing funny has happened is odd. Smiling is an example of unspoken language. Explanation: Many Russians feel that smiling when nothing funny has happened is odd. Smiling is an example of unspoken language. Unspoken language refers to nonverbal communication.

Which dimension of Hofstede's Cultural Values is represented? Ming Ming is from a powerful family, and because of this, she will be in an authoritative position in the workplace.

Dimension of Hofstede's Cultural Values: Power Distance

Which dimension of Hofstede's Cultural Values is represented? Bill Bill works very hard in his job, and expects to see the reward of his labor quickly.

Dimension of Hofstede's Cultural Values: Time Orientation

Which dimension of Hofstede's Cultural Values is represented? Elena Elena has worked at the same company for more than 15 years. She parks in the same parking spot every day and values routine and predictability.

Dimension of Hofstede's Cultural Values: Uncertainty Avoidance

Values, Folkways, or Mores? Theft Most countries have laws against theft.

Mores

Values, Folkways, or Mores? Use of alcohol The use of alcohol is not permitted in Saudi Arabia.

Mores