Cross-Cultural Communication Study Notes

Cultural Continua by Trompenaars and Hampden-Turner

• Developed frameworks for understanding cultural differences in global management.
• Involved research with 1,500 managers across 28 countries.
• Published findings in "Riding the Waves of Culture," emphasizing cultural diversity in management.

Universalism vs. Particularism

• Universalism: Cultures that prioritize uniformity and predictability in rules and expectations (e.g., Finland, Germany, USA).
• Particularism: Cultures where social circumstances and relationships shape the enforcement of rules (e.g., Portugal, China, Malaysia).

Individualism vs. Collectivism

• Individualism: Cultures that emphasize personal success and independence, valuing individual rights (e.g., USA).
• Collectivism: Cultures that focus on group cohesion and collective progress, prioritizing community and family (e.g., Japan).

Affective vs. Neutral Cultures

• Affective Cultures: Cultures that promote open emotion and expression, valuing the display of feelings (e.g., Latin America, Mediterranean).
• Neutral Cultures: Cultures that emphasize emotional restraint and control, where feelings are managed discreetly (e.g., Japan, UK).

Diffuse vs. Specific Cultures

• Specific Cultures: Cultures that maintain distinct boundaries between work and personal life, leading to clear divisions in roles and interactions (e.g., Germany).
• Diffuse Cultures: Cultures where personal and public spheres blend, and relationships overlap across contexts (e.g., USA).

Achievement vs. Ascription

• Achievement-oriented Cultures: Value status based on personal accomplishments and skills, fostering meritocratic systems (e.g., competitive promotions).
• Ascriptive Cultures: Assign status based on attributes like age, connections, or seniority, often leading to hierarchical promotion paths (e.g., loyalty-based promotion).

Cultural Continua by Trompenaars and Hampden-Turner

• Developed frameworks for understanding cultural differences in global management.
• Involved research with 1,500 managers across 28 countries.
• Published findings in "Riding the Waves of Culture," emphasizing cultural diversity in management.

Universalism vs. Particularism

• Universalism: Cultures that prioritize uniformity and predictability in rules and expectations (e.g., Finland, Germany, USA).
• Particularism: Cultures where social circumstances and relationships shape the enforcement of rules (e.g., Portugal, China, Malaysia).

Individualism vs. Collectivism

• Individualism: Cultures that emphasize personal success and independence, valuing individual rights (e.g., USA).
• Collectivism: Cultures that focus on group cohesion and collective progress, prioritizing community and family (e.g., Japan).

Affective vs. Neutral Cultures

• Affective Cultures: Cultures that promote open emotion and expression, valuing the display of feelings (e.g., Latin America, Mediterranean).
• Neutral Cultures: Cultures that emphasize emotional restraint and control, where feelings are managed discreetly (e.g., Japan, UK).

Diffuse vs. Specific Cultures

• Specific Cultures: Cultures that maintain distinct boundaries between work and personal life, leading to clear divisions in roles and interactions (e.g., Germany).
• Diffuse Cultures: Cultures where personal and public spheres blend, and relationships overlap across contexts (e.g., USA).

Achievement vs. Ascription

• Achievement-oriented Cultures: Value status based on personal accomplishments and skills, fostering meritocratic systems (e.g., competitive promotions).
• Ascriptive Cultures: Assign status based on attributes like age, connections, or seniority, often leading to hierarchical promotion paths (e.g., loyalty-based promotion).

Explore the key concepts of cross-cultural communication as developed by Fons Trompenaars and Charles Hampden-Turner. This study focuses on cultural continua derived from extensive research on global management practices. Understand the principles of universalism vs. particularism and their implications in the context of managing cultural diversity.