Reference no: EM132888002

Synopsis:

Geert Hofstede is a professor from the Netherlands who has done extensive research on differences in cultures. Hofstede has developed a model of national cultures which includes six dimensions

Visit Hofstede's website: Geert Hofstede - Dimensions of Culture - Country Comparison

Explore the website, and closely examine the National Culture scores. Individually, or with your partner (groups of 2 people), answer the following 5 questions and 2 scenarios and submit your answers by the date provided. Add space, as required.

Discussion Questions:

1. When you work for a Canadian employer, you are usually expected to be open to change, even if you might feel threatened by it. For example, if your company wants to introduce new technology, you will be expected to learn it. It would not be acceptable to refuse to take training because you feel uncomfortable with the change. What dimension of culture does this example relate to? Support your answer.

2. It is not uncommon in Canada for parents to expect their children to move out promptly once they have finished their studies - sometimes even sooner. It is unusual for more than one generation of adult family members to live in the same household. Which of the dimensions of national culture does this example relate to? Explain.

3. In Canadian job interviews, individuals are expected to speak openly about their accomplishments. (Sometimes this is referred to as "selling yourself"). This practice makes some people uncomfortable because they feel like they should be modest about their own strengths. What dimension of culture might help to explain these individual and cultural differences? Provide detail.

4. In Canada, it is common to call your boss by his or her first name. This practice tends to have the effect of making both parties feel that there is equality between them. Would this example support the statement that Canada has a high power distance score? Why or why not? Explain.

5. Many Canadian parents and grandparents want children to enjoy life, and they will often readily agree to children's requests for treats, special outings, and parties. What dimension(s) of culture help(s) to explain this tendency in Canadian society? Defend your answer with appropriate depth.

Scenario 1:

Kamal, an international student from India, is in the Business Administration program. Although very quiet in Sarah's Communications class, he is always very respectful in his dealings with her and other students. In order to draw him out more, Sarah paired him with Colleen, one of her most dynamic and outgoing students, for a major project to be completed in two weeks. To her surprise, Kamal approached her two days later asking for a change of partner because he didn't feel "comfortable" with Colleen. He wasn't able to clearly express his concerns in any other way.

6. What should she do since all the other pairings are established and apparently working hard on their projects?

7. Based on Hofstede's cultural indices, in which category might Kamal's cultural orientation be strongest? Why? Explain.

Scenario 2:

Ludwig teaches Advanced Mathematical Principles MATH-305. Since the material from each class builds from the previous class material and sets the foundation for the next class, attendance is critical to success. Since students are aware of this, they all arrive on time and prepared for class ... except for David, a student from the United Kingdom. He routinely arrives 5-10 minutes late and interrupts class to ask about the material he has missed. Ludwig has talked to David about the importance of promptness and time management but David simply apologizes, shrugs and turns up late the next day.

Now he has done it again! He arrived 10 minutes late for an exam. Then he couldn't understand why he couldn't get 10 more minutes at the end to complete the exam. After all, he said, he knows the material and just needs the missing 10 minutes to write it down.

8. What should Ludwig do? Be specific.

9. Should David be punished for his tardiness? Defend your position.

10. Based on Hofstede's cultural indices, in which category might David's cultural orientation be strongest? Provide evidence (i.e. from Hofstede's research) to support your answer.