Seven Dimensions of Culture Essay Example

Seven Dimensions of Culture Essay Example Seven Dimensions of Culture Essay Seven Dimensions of Culture Essay In 1998, management consultants Trompenaars and Hampden-Turner published their â€Å"Seven Dimensions of Culture† model to help explain national cultural differences in organisations and to show how managing these differences in a heterogeneous business environment is a major challenge for international managers. Trompenaars and Hampden-Turner gathered data over ten years using a method that relied on giving respondents dilemmas or contrasting tendencies. Each dilemma consisted of two alternatives that were interpreted as indicators for basic attitudes and values. The questionnaire was sent to over 15,000 managers in 28 countries. At least 500 usable responses per country were received, enabling the two authors to make substantiated distinctions between national cultures. The two consultants distinguished seven connected processes formulated as dilemmas. A culture distinguishes itself from others by ‘preferring’ one side of a dilemma’s continuum. The seven, universal dimensions of cultures are: 1. UNIVERSALISM versus PLURALISM â€Å"What is more important – rules or relationships? † The degree of importance a culture assigns to either the law or to personal relationships. In a universalistic culture, people share the belief that general rules, codes, values and standards take precedence over the needs and claims of friends and other relationships. In a pluralistic culture, people see culture in terms of human friendship and intimate relationships. While rules do exist in a pluralistic culture, they merely codify how people relate to one another. 2. INDIVIDUALISM versus COMMUNITARISNISM â€Å"Do we function as a group or as individuals? † The degree to which people see themselves function more as a community or more as individuals. In a principally individualistic culture, people place the individual before the community. This means that individual happiness, fulfilment and welfare prevails and people take their own initiative and take care of themselves. In a principally communitarian culture, people place the community before the individual. Thus, it is the responsibility of the individual to act in ways which serve society. In doing so, individual needs are automatically attended. 3. SPECIFIC versus DIFFUSE â€Å"How far to we get involved? † The degree to which responsibility is specifically assigned or is diffusely accepted. In a specific culture, people first analyse the elements individually and then put them together, the whole is the sum of its parts. People’s lives are divided accordingly and, only a single component can be entered at a time. Interactions between people are very well-defined. Specific individuals concentrate on hard facts, standards and contracts. A diffusely oriented culture starts with the whole and sees individual elements from the perspective of the total. All elements are related to one another. Relationships between elements are more important than individual elements. 4. AFFECTIVITY versus NEUTRALITY Do we display our emotions? † The degree to which individuals display their emotions. In an affective culture, people display their emotions and it is not deemed necessary to hide feelings. However, in a neutral culture, people are taught not to display their feelings overtly. The degree to which feelings become manifested is therefore minimal. While emotions are fel t, they are controlled. 5. INNER DIRECTED versus OUTER DIRECTED â€Å"Do we control our environment or work with it? † The degree to which individuals believe the environment can be controlled versus believing that the environment controls them. In an inner-directed culture, people have a mechanistic view of nature; nature is complex but can be controlled with the right expertise. People believe that humans can dominate nature, if they make the effort. In an outer-directed culture, people have an organic view of nature. Mankind is viewed as one of nature’s forces and should therefore live in harmony with the environment. People therefore adapt themselves to external circumstances. 6. ACHIEVED STATUS versus ASCRIBED STATUS â€Å"Do we have to prove ourselves to receive status or is it given to us? The degree to which individuals must prove themselves to receive status versus status simply given to them. In a culture with achieved status, people derive their status from what they have accomplished. Achieved status must be proven time and time again and status will be given accordingly. In a culture with ascribed status, people derive their status from birth, age, gender or wealth. Here status is not based on achievemen t but it is accorded on the basis of the person’s being. 7. SEQUENTIAL TIME versus SYNCHRONIC TIME â€Å"Do we do things one at a time or several things at once? The degree to which individuals do things one at a time versus several things at once. Cultures developed their own response to time. Time orientation has two aspects: the relative importance cultures assign to the past, present and future, and their approach to structuring time. In a sequential culture, people structure time sequentially and do things one at a time. In a synchronic time culture, people do several things at once, believing time is flexible and intangible. Past-oriented cultures A culture that is oriented towards the past views the future as a repetition of previous events and experiences. Characteristics include: respect for ancestors and collective historical events. Present-oriented cultures A culture primarily directed to the present does not attach great value to the past or future. Instead, individuals are directed by the daily demands of every day life. Future-oriented cultures A culture concentrated on future prospects and does not deem the past as significant for future events. Planning is a major activity among individuals in this culture. The seven dilemmas help managers better understand the ‘other side’ e. g. when trying to make trans-national projects or mergers work. Better understanding reduces the number of cultural driven misunderstandings and conflicts thereby reducing coordination costs. The model helps marketers understand how consumers in different countries behave differently towards the same product. pros: Trompenaars and Hampden-Turner provided a tool to explain how national culture differs and how culture can be measured. Their research showed that cultural differences matter and that reconciling cultural differences can lead to competitive advantage to companies in consolidating / globalising industries. Trompenaars and Hampden-Turner’s model gives employees who deal with cross-cultural relations a tool/context to better understand value sets and behaviours. Trompenaars’ research shows that the way business is conducted in one part of the world is different from the way it is done in another. Culture is an important aspect in doing international business. For example, Office Depot has learned that Japanese customers do not like to buy their supplies in large, well-stocked stores that offer discount prices. Japanese prefer stores where service is personal and are willing to pay higher prices for this. cons: The model fails to recognise the influence of personal characteristics on behaviour. The model distinguishes the differences between cultures, but does not provide recommendations on how to work with specific cultures. Additional dilemmas may be added to the seven original dimensions of culture. No assurance can be given that this list is complete. Trompenaars and others such as Hofstede emphasised that companies should acknowledge the differences between the cultures in which they operate. However, other authors including Ohmae (Borderless World) and Levitt (Globalisation of Markets) argue that national borders are diminishing and that the world should be seen as a whole and not made up of different countries with different cultures. Professor Trompenaars has studied how people in specific countries resolve dilemmas. After analyzing problem resolution behaviors, Dr. Trompenaars has identified 7 basic dimensions for culture. International trade consultants and lawyers consider these cultural dimensions when designing sales strategies where buyers and sellers originate from different cultures. This is particularly true for emerging markets unaccustomed to dealing with businesspersons from so-called more developed countries. Below is a brief summary of the seven cultural dimensions. Achievement vs. Ascription In an achievement culture, people are accorded status based on how well they perform their functions. High achievers are given status in achievement-oriented countries including Austria, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States. Achievers must continue to prove their worth, as status is accorded based on their actions. In an ascription culture, status is attributed based on who or what a person is. This is based on age, gender and social connections. Individualism vs. Communitarianism People make their own decisions and achieve success alone in highly individualistic countries including Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom and France. Emphasis is on personal responsibility and decision-making, and negotiations are made on the spot. Communitarianism is a culture like Japan that places the community before the individual. Success is achieved in groups, decisions are referred to committees and groups jointly assume responsibilities. Internal vs. External In an internalistic culture like the United States, people believe that what happens to them is their own doing. Many Asian countries have an external culture in which the environment shapes their destiny. Because they don’t believe they are in full control of their destinies, often externalistic people adapt to external circumstances. Neutral vs. Emotional In neutral cultures like Japan and the United Kingdom, emotions are held in check. People don’t show their feelings. In an emotional culture, feelings are expressed naturally and openly. People smile a great deal, talk loudly when excited and greet each other with enthusiasm. Mexico, Netherlands and Switzerland are high-emotion countries. Specific vs. Diffuse In what is called a specific culture, individuals are open to sharing a large public space with others and a small private space they guard closely and share with only friends and associates. Specific cultures like Austria, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States show a strong separation between work and private life. Invitations to public spaces are common. A diffuse culture features similarly sized public and private spaces. Like most introverts, diffuse culture people guard both spaces carefully, because entry into public space also affords entry into private space. China, Spain and Venezuela are examples of diffuse cultures where work and private life are closely linked but intensely protected. Time Orientation In sequential cultures like the United States, people tend to do one activity at a time. Appointments are strictly kept, with a strong preference for following plans. In synchronous cultures like France and Mexico, people usually do more than one activity at a time. Appointments are approximate, subject to change at any moment. Universalism vs. Particularism Universalistic countries focus more on formal rules than relationships. Nations characterized by high universalism believe that their ideas and practices can be applied worldwide without modification. Australia, Germany, Sweden and the United Kingdom are universalistic countries. America is also highly universalistic, which explains why U. S. multinationals repeatedly ignore relationships in a foreign culture. For example, Starbucks unsuccessfully launched its coffee shop in China’s Forbidden City while Germans rejected Wal-Mart’s standard big box stores. Particularistic countries place more emphasis on relationships than rules. Countries that practise high particularism include China, Indonesia and Venezuela. Particularistic peoples believe that circumstances dictate how ideas and practices are applied. Therefore, ideas and practices cannot be applied the same everywhere. References This article presents independent insights based on research from International Management, Culture, Strategy and Behavior (6th edition, Hodgetts-Luthans-DOH) and Trompenaars’s Seven Dimensions of Culture.

Question Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 9

Question - Essay Example These defined liabilities are the results of the past events that will be turning into future economic outflows from the company, these liabilities successfully meet the standard definition of obligation but their measurement and computation is often observed to be a debatable issue. As the above-discussed liabilities are future expenses for the company, their future value computation may depend upon numerous factors. These liabilities are very sensitive to the rates of interest of the country and other external factors such as government policies, inflation rates, time value of money, and the probable date of maturity. Their date of maturity may change and solely depends upon the clauses and covenants placed upon them in the contracts. The lease commitments are the future payments of the leased item. Only the current liability under the lease agreement contains a true value of the lease payment for the year, the non-current liabilities hold an estimated figure to be paid in the future. The purchase obligation makes an organization to bound into a commitment of purchase of an item in the future date. The market value of the item in the future cannot be defined in the present period; an estimated value is considered in this case as well. In the case of marketable securities, the rates and maturity periods, and markets for the item are estimated based on assumptions. The derivatives also fall into the same category. The nature of these obligations makes it difficult for the company to reflect and present the real and accurate value of these items. Hence, there is a possibility that the liabilities been shown by the companies may differ from their actual worth. Ernst & Young LLP is the audit firm which performs external audit of Apple Inc. and PriceWaterhouseCoopers performs external audit of Dell Inc. The auditors of both

Finance - British Petroleum Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Finance - British Petroleum - Essay Example There were many reasons that affected the BP share prices during beginning of 2011. The issue that had highly impacted the BP share prices was the decision taken by Transocean Ltd after conducting an internal investigation. Transocean Ltd is the world’s largest offshore drilling contractor whom the BP had contract with. They provide the most versatile fleet of mobile offshore drilling machineries to assist customers find and utilise efficiently oil and natural gas reserves. Transocean Ltd announced on June 22, 2011 the release of an internal investigation report illustrating the reasons behind the explosion on the Deepwater Horizon rig on April 20, 2010. Transocean operated and owned the Deepwater Horizon rig that was drilling on the oil well in the Gulf of Mexico and their report had an impact on the BP prices the following weeks. In the opinion of Transocean, HP was to be held accountable for the disaster at the rigs as HP was controlling the drilling process at the oil well . The report explains that some of the inaccurate decisions made by HP resulted in the massive explosion on the oil well. According to the findings of the report the reason behind the explosion was the preparing a wrong design of the well, which was carried out by BP, together with an ineffective cement program. The guardian reports this; â€Å"the explosion and the oil spill was the result of a succession of well design, construction, and temporary abandonment decisions that compromised the integrity of the well and compounded the risk of its failure; the Swiss firm, Transocean Ltd, also said that many of the decisions were made by well owner BP in the two weeks before the incident† (The Guardian, 2011). Lacombe (2011) said that the report of Transocean can affect the BP share prices as it indicated that the decisions of BP included narrowing of the geological window in order to keep the drilling safe. Moreover, at the end of the week the BP share prices had declined to arou nd 437.15p (Yahoo Finance, 2011). However, after the sudden decline in the BP share price due to the Transocean report, the company was seen prospering in the market. Weatherford International was the first contractor whom the British Petroleum had been in association with at the Macondo oil well, and the business association continued for quite a long time. And when the financial management of the Weatherford International had taken the decision to clear all the settlement claims with the British Petroleum, the decision created a great effect on the PB share prices. In fact, Weatherford International was the first contractor whom the company was intending to make settlement with, and it was of great significance as the settlement process was moving forward and would potentially create a positive effect on BP share prices. Moreover, the financial management of the company decided to clear all its association at the Macondo oil well which has been the prime target at the oil spill at the Gulf of Mexico during last year. As Lacombe (2011), points out, when the good news about the Weatherford International’s settlement with British Petroleum at Macondo oil well was spread around, the BP share prices increased by 16.1p and was closed at 445.7p. Apart form these, Mitsui of Japan, one of the minority partners of the BP Company at the oil well, also made the decision to settle its claims with the company soon after the Weatherford I

PEM in Mexico Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

PEM in Mexico - Essay Example It can also affect nutrient conversion to the energy vital for healthy organ function and tissue development. This paper seeks to discuss PEM in Nigeria and how this country manages it. In Nigeria, there is still a high burden of protein-energy management. The severe characteristics of the illness are typically related to high mortality rates even in the health facilities. Several strategies have been set up to aid in reducing the severity and incidence of PEM. The government initiates a randomized distribution of zinc supplements to the prevalent areas (Garman & Royer, 2011). The locals have realized local products like honey help in reducing the severity of PEM. The Nigerian government has set up strategies to ensure sufficient food security in places prone to the disease. These programs are proving to be successful where the randomized distribution helps the vulnerable communities in Nigeria. The non-governmental organizations are also taking a huge part in countering the disease in Nigeria. They distribute high-energy packaged foods like F100 and F75 (Johnston & Stoskopof, 2010). UNICEF has played a major role in distribution to children admitted for severe PEM. Similar arrangements are developed at the several hospital surroundings in Nigeria are named as high-energy mixture (HERMIX), Kwash pap in Nigeria. For improvement, storage and preservation of the high energy food is an important step by both the government and locals. The government should find out different other ways to ensure food security all year-round. Presently, vitamin A is augmented through the repetitive vaccination and National Immunization Days (NID). The government can mandate companies manufacturing countless domestic food items such vegetable oils, sugar and salt to strengthen them with these vitamins and trace elements. Families with low socioeconomic status are the most vulnerable to

Women and Resilience in Khaled Hosseini’s A Thousand Splendid Suns Essa

Afghan-born American novelist and physician Khaled Hosseini’s second bestselling novel, A Thousand Splendid Suns, written in 2007, is set in â€Å"war-ravaged landscape of Afghanistan†, and it focuses on the tumultuous lives and relationship of Mariam and Laila. In contrast to Hosseini’s The Kite Runner, which is a story of â€Å"father-son relationship†, this novels is regarded as â€Å"mother-daughter story† by the author himself. The novel relates the story of Mariam and Laila in four parts. The first part focuses on Mariam, while the second and fourth part on Laila, and the relationship between the two women in the third part. At the background the novel also recounts Afghanistan’s troubled history of last several decades, through the eyes of a segment of the Afghan population that probably suffered and lost the most during that period, that are its women. Through this pitiable story of two women married to a man Rasheed, who oppress the m physically as well as psychologically, the author tries to represent the situation of Afghan women, who are not only affected by the war but are also being oppressed by their domestic rulers, that are their husbands. The present paper attempts to examine the afghan women, oppressed under the rule of patriarchy, whether at the domestic level by their husbands or at social order under Taliban rule, and their resilience and tenacity to survive, which is clearly identified throughout this novel with a glimpse of hope at the end, as the rains return, the cinemas open, the children play and the orphanages are rebuilt. Khaled Hosseini brings in this novel the subject of women suppression in Afghanistan along with the various other restrictions of education and familial subjugation. He has created the man-d... ...ize that when oppression goes too far, whether through an individual or the state; once oppressed, subjugated or downtrodden can rise up against the tyranny. Hosseini, through the love and affection of Mariam and Laila for each other, portrayed â€Å"amazing resilience of human spirit where hope unfolds like a tiny, frail plant in the most unlikely places† (Null and Alfred 123). Works Cited De Beauvoir, Simone. The Second Sex. Trans. Constance Borden ad Sheila Malovany-Chevallier. Inroduction by Sheila Rowbotham. London:Vintage Books, 2011 (1st Ed. 1949) Hosseini, Khalid. A Thousand Splendid Suns. Rivekhead Books, 2007. Web. Null, Linda and Suellen Alfred. â€Å"A Thousand Splintered Hopes†.The English Journal. 97.6. National Council of Teachers of English (July, 2008), pp. 123-125. http://www.jstor.org/stable/40503428. Accessed: 24/02/2014 06:40

Sea World

Sea World Did you ever wish that something amazing would occur in your life, and when your wish is fulfilled, the outcome is better than you imagined? Well ,welcome to my stunning story about my adventurous trip to the Orlando's Sea World Water Park†¦.. The day begun just fine. I was ten years old and it was a few days after I arrived in Florida. It was summer, in the year 2009 and my cousins and I were very bored. Before I arrived in Florida, my aunt promised me that she would have taken me somewhere, but she wasn't sure where as yet.A few minutes later, my older cousin- Que wanner arrived from work, exclaiming that she got free tickets to Sea World. Hearing about it all the time and watching the advertisements on the television, I was really anxious! â€Å"When are we going Que wanner? †, I asked, curiously. â€Å"How about we go now! † she replied. â€Å"Ye aah! † I screamed, ambivalently. I ran to my closet and took out: a pink strapless top,white short shorts, my new swimsuit, my towels and my pink and white hi-top sneakers. After packing my bag, I scampered down the stairs. Everyone was ready except mom. She was having trouble with finding her swimsuit.Five minutes later, we were on our way to Sea World. We laughed and sang until we arrived at the amazing place. I could smell the fresh aromatic scent of the fresh water-park as I stepped out of the car. I heard the birds chirping, a patter and the trees danced with the cool breeze. The first thing I saw, was a huge roller coaster extending over a small building in the sky, that seemed like a mini tower. The water park was colorful and everything was in order. As we were about to enter the building, there was an anile lady shouting and she created a big scene in front of a group of men.I think she was a bit of a coquette. Anyways we continued to enter the park. First, we visited the zoo. There were a lot of cameras flashing, as the different animals posed. We visited the tiger, the zebras,polar-bears,lions,snakes, ,stingrays and other animals. My cousin, a future veterinarian was overwhelmed with joy. After seeing that, we couldn't wait to explore the rest of the park. Secondly,we entered a building with a big aquarium roof and information about rocks made of limestone,and other information about the animals in the aquarium. The building was really pretty ; I couldn't wait to explore more!Third, we we went back outside. We were trying to decide where to visit next but the park was filled with different â€Å"catchy† attractions which made it hard to decide. I saw a big blue roller coaster that shaped like a stingray and a sign-Manta was printed on it. â€Å"Can we try that one? † my cousin Alyssa asked. â€Å"You guys can go but I'm not coming! † mom said nervously. â€Å"Are you scared ! † we teased her. My aunt, my cousins and I headed to the ride. Grandma and mom were sitting on a bench waiting. We walked briskly to the ride and it was also filled with a big aquarium roof, with real animals.At the door,there was a lady checking if we were at the average height to enter to the ride. As we stepped up, she said my aunt,my cousin-David and I were great, but Alyssa didn't make it to the average height. Disappointed, we walked Alyssa back to the bench, and tried to catch the ride. We sat in seats that were set in a horizontal order. It left within five seconds. As my first roller coaster, I was nervous. It carried us all the way in the sky,in the water, then diagonally back into the sky. It ended within one minute. I couldn't wait to race back and tell mommy and grandma about the excitement and the joy I felt on the ride.After talking, we left the park for twenty minutes and went to the nearest Wendy's Restaurant to eat. After eating, we returned to the park. We went on the simulator ride which welcomed relaxation and comfort. Then we went on a water slide which was quite risky, but fun. The place was getting re ally dark, it was 5:42. My aunt said that we would have to leave soon because the park closes at 6:00. We saw a sign that said a show by the famous whale- Shamu. We went into the building and there was a very big pool with deep water and some divers with buckets filled with dead, raw fishes.They were feeding dolphins and whales. As we were watching the show, I observed that the whale-Shamu, was pretty amazing, friendly and he was famous. The audience was cheering as he performed some cool tricks, which entertained me a lot. When the show was over, we were all tired but disappointed because we had to leave . Sea World Water park is the best water park I have ever visited! If I were to recommend a water park to a friend ,or a place to just relax and have some fun, I would really go for Sea World Water Park! MY WONDERFUL TRIP TO SEA WORLD Name:Celine DeCambre

Reformation Paper Salem Witch Trials - 1368 Words

Reformation Paper: Salem Witch Trials The reformation housed many impressive inventions such as the creation of gunpowder and the printing press along with many divisions like wars and radical religious ideas. The reformation was a period in history that caused many changes to the way Christianity operated forcing many communities to re-divide themselves among different religious loyalties. People like Martin Luther and John Calvin questioned their religion and aspects of the way the greedy and corrupt religious leaders, such as Pope Leo X, operated instead of following blindly like most people at that time. Questions asked by these famous reformers led to many anxious and spiritual qualms towards Protestantism or Catholicism. With these†¦show more content†¦history. The greatest instance where Wicca phobia had gotten out of hand was The Salem Witch Trials. The Salem witch trials began February 29, â€Å"in colonial Massachusetts between 1692 and 1693. More than 200 people were accused of practicing witchcraft—the Devil s magic—and 20 were executed.† They took place in Salem at a site called Proctor’s Ledge contrary to the older recognized location which was Gallows Hill. As stated by The History Channel â€Å"In January 1692, 9-year-old Elizabeth (Betty) Parris and 11-year-old Abigail Williams (the daughter and niece of Samuel Parris, minister of Salem Village) began having fits, including violent contortions and uncontrollable outbursts of screaming. After a local doctor, William Griggs, diagnosed bewitchment, other young girls in the community began to exhibit similar symptoms, including Ann Putnam Jr., Mercy Lewis, Elizabeth Hubbard, Mary Walcott and Mary Warren†. â€Å"On March 1, Sarah Goode, Sarah Osborn e, and Tituba, an Indian slave from Barbados (some sources mention her as being Caribbean), became the first Salem residents to be charged with the capital crime of witchcraft. Later that day, Tituba confessed to the crime and subsequently aided the authorities in identifying more Salem witches. With encouragement from adults in the community, the girls, who were soon joined by other ‘afflicted’ Salem residents, accused a widening circle of local residents of witchcraft, mostly middle-aged women but also several