Reference no: EM132858970
Can you please help to Identify the key cultural difference that caused the situation to play out like that.
The options will be the following:
- Power Distance
- Uncertainty Avoidance
- Individualism
- Relationship/Task-orientation
- Masculinity
- Emotional/Reserved cultures
- Rigid/Fluid Time
- Long-term Orientation
- High and Low context Communication
- Direct or Indirect Communication Style
Can you please explain your answer. What exactly happened? What aspect of the cultural difference caused conflict? What aspect was ignored?
(1) Viktor worked in the advertising department of a major international company headquartered in Shenzhen, China. His deskmate Sheng Feng was a neat and amicable person, 10 years older than Viktor. He made a good impression on Viktor. Once Sheng Feng was going to the publication department in the adjacent office building. When Viktor found it out, he handed Sheng Feng a thick envelope he should have sent to the publication department long ago, and asked him to deliver it. But Sheng Feng acted oddly. First he reflexively jerked his hand back, but then he compressed his lips, took the package and walked away silently. He delivered the package, but after that he did not talk to Viktor for the rest of the day. Viktor was puzzled because he did not get why his colleague's mood had changed.
(2) John comes to India to hold talks with local partners. He was received very well and with great hospitality. He had a tour around the factory and personally saw all the new equipment; then John and the director, Mr. Sharma, sit down to talk. But instead of discussing the predetermined issues, the Indian side starts asking too many questions which are not directly related to the cooperation. John has to tell too much about the company's internal processes as well. Couple of hours later he thinks that the Indians do not trust him and their further communication is under threat.
(3) One day an Australian living in Moscow was working in his office and three lightbulbs stopped working. He called his Russian landlord, with whom he had a very positive relationship, who told him that the landlord would pay for an electrician to fix the lights but that the tenant had to call the master from MTS. The money would then come out of the next month's rent. The Australian agreed to call the master but reminded them that they spoke Russian very poorly so hoped there would be no translation issues.
When the master arrived he asked whether the landlord or the Australian tenant would be paying for the bill. The Australian said that he would pay. The master took four hours to change the light bulbs and also did some work on the circuit boards. During the work he infrequently stopped to smile at the Australian and make informal but pleasant conversation.
At the end of the work, the Australian was surprised as the master said the cost was 35000 roubles. No surprise that the landlord was not happy as well and even mad a mean comment that the Australian have still a long way to go before he understands how business is done in Russia.