Culture Theories and Models

Session 2 Overview

• Session 2 focuses on describing and analyzing culture as well and the language and culture models. Includes:
  • Being able to identify and describe small and large cultures
  • Understanding how to use culture models plus their strengths and limitations
  • Understanding the functions and limitations of stereotypes
  • Describing and applying the culture dimensions of Trompenaars & Hampden-Turner
  • Being aware of communication style
  • Connecting with team members
  • Knowing how this module will be assessed

Culture Models as Culture Theories

• A theory describes a behavior, needs evidence, must be testable, and makes predictions about future actions.
• Theory ranges from grand theories to everyday theories, using inductive and deductive reasoning.

Culture Theory

• Several key figures have contributed to culture theory:
  • Geert Hofstede (1980, 2001) developed social psychology.
  • Edward T. Hall (1981, 1990) was a cultural anthropologist.
  • Fons Trompenaars (1993, 1998) focused on organizational studies.
  • Adrian Holliday (1999) studied applied linguistics.
  • GLOBE(2004) researched international management.

Culture Theories

• Geert Hofstede's theory defines culture as the collective programming of the mind that distinguishes groups of people.

  • Key dimensions include: power-distance, collectivism vs. individualism, femininity vs. masculinity, uncertainty avoidance, and long- vs. short-term orientation

• Edward T. Hall stated culture is man's medium, influencing many aspects, including personality, expression, thought, movement, problem-solving, planning, and economic/government systems.

• Fons Trompenaars indicates that culture lies beneath the surface, acting as shared ways groups interpret the world and their problems.

• Adrian Holliday makes a distinction between large and small cultures.

  • Large: ethnic, national or international
  • Small: any cohesive group within society. professional groups, neighbourhoods, families, or student groups

• GLOBE's theory states that culture is a set of parameters that differentiate collectives, emphasizing shared cultural indicators and transmitted experiences.

Describing Cultures

• Cultural dimensions as defined by Trompenaars (1997, 2020):
  • Universalism vs. particularism involves the rule of law and relationships
  • Individualism vs. communitarianism involves the importance of group needs vs individual needs
  • Specific vs. diffuse cultures focus on levels of responsibilities
  • Neutral vs. emotional cultures focus on the expression of feelings
  • Achievement vs. ascription involves how a status is achieved
  • Sequential vs. synchronic cultures relate to the way humans relate to time
  • Internal vs. external control relates to human's relationship with nature

Autoethnography Example

• In a team meeting where some colleagues openly criticize a proposal and others are silent/vague, consider the following:
  • How would you typically respond? Openly or reserved?
  • Why would you respond that way; what dynamics influence your response?
  • How would this approach be received?

Stereotypes

• Stereotypes help navigate complexity but can be inaccurate; they also have an in- and outgroup function.
• They arise from brain's need to understand, classify and order information, are needed to survive, and simplify life.
• Kahneman splits thinking into Type 1 (fast, intuitive) and Type 2 (slow, calculating) systems.
• Stereotypes are exaggerated beliefs based on previous experiences, tied to a group, not supported by evident, and usually focused on negative aspects

Dealing with Prejudice

• Reflect on personal stereotypes and choose the 'category' of people carefully
• Acquire knowledge by hearing a multitude of stories.

Actions

• Analyze communication style using a provided template reflecting on different cultures.
• Teamwork involves establishing goals, roles, work behavior, and managing member performance using the Capsim Teamwork Toolkit.
• Module assessment is based on an individual presentation (40%) and team case analysis (60%), details on Moodle.