20 Questions
What are the two types of values that individuals have?
Core values and peripheral values
What are the major causes of national cultural formation and change?
Shared values, attitudes, and beliefs of a group of individuals
How is national identity expressed?
Through rites, symbols, and respect for national heroes
What is a bicultural or multicultural person?
Someone who belongs to more than one national culture
What is the role of a nation as a cultural mediator?
To affect the practices of any company operating in the country
Why is culture, especially national culture, important in international business?
Culture is important in international business because similarity among people is both a cause and effect of national borders.
What are the behavioral factors influencing countries’ business practices?
Shared values, attitudes, and beliefs of a group of individuals
How do people belong to multiple cultures?
Based on their nationality, ethnicity, religion, gender, work organization, profession, age, and income level
Why is it tricky to assess culture, especially national culture?
Because not everyone within a country shares all the same values, and nations include subcultures
What constitutes a nation’s shared characteristics?
National identity
What is cultural collision?
Cultural collision occurs when contact among divergent cultures creates problems.
What are the challenges of managing cultural diversity?
The challenges include different work ethics, languages, preferences, and the difficulty in managing people's tendency to behave according to their own culture.
What is the difference between deal-focus (DF) culture and relationship-focus (RF) culture?
Deal-focus (DF) culture is task-oriented, while relationship-focus (RF) culture puts dealings with friends ahead of business dealings.
Why is it important for international companies to determine foreign business practices and how to adapt to them?
It is important to avoid ineffective business practices and personal distress for employees that can result from cultural collision.
How can businesspeople improve awareness and sensitivity to cultural differences?
Businesspeople can improve awareness and sensitivity by educating themselves through cultural research, observing the behavior of respected individuals, and remembering that there are numerous cultural variations.
Why is cultural diversity considered a competitive advantage?
Cultural diversity is considered a competitive advantage because diverse perspectives and experiences in multinational teams enable businesses to gain deeper knowledge of how to create and deliver products and services.
What can lead to personal distress for employees in an international company?
Personal distress for employees can result from ineffective business practices and cultural collision.
What is the key advice given for managing cultural diversity in multinational teams?
The key advice is to keep open minds, be aware of cultural differences, and try to understand each other’s cultures.
Why is successful cultivation of diversity considered difficult?
Successful cultivation of diversity is considered difficult because people tend to behave according to their own culture, leading to challenges in managing different work ethics, languages, and preferences.
What are some examples of cultural variables that differ among cultures but exist everywhere?
Examples include daily routines and rules, codes of social relations, language, emotive expression, and concepts of luck.
Study Notes
Values of Individuals
- Individuals have two types of values: terminal values (ultimate goals) and instrumental values (means to achieve those goals)
National Cultural Formation and Change
- Major causes of national cultural formation and change include history, language, religion, geography, and economy
National Identity
- National identity is expressed through symbols, language, customs, and traditions
Bicultural/Multicultural Individuals
- A bicultural or multicultural person is someone who has been socialized in two or more cultures and can navigate both cultures with ease
Nation as a Cultural Mediator
- A nation plays a crucial role in mediating cultural differences between its citizens and foreigners
Importance of National Culture in International Business
- Understanding national culture is vital in international business as it affects business practices, communication, and relationships
Behavioral Factors Influencing Business Practices
- Behavioral factors such as attitudes, beliefs, and values influence countries' business practices
Belonging to Multiple Cultures
- People can belong to multiple cultures through ancestry, education, work, or personal relationships
Assessing Culture
- It's challenging to assess culture, especially national culture, due to its complexity, subtlety, and subjectivity
Shared Characteristics of a Nation
- A nation's shared characteristics include history, language, customs, and traditions
Cultural Collision
- Cultural collision refers to the clash of cultural values, norms, and practices between individuals or groups from different cultures
Challenges of Managing Cultural Diversity
- Managing cultural diversity is challenging due to differences in communication, work styles, and values
Deal-Focus (DF) and Relationship-Focus (RF) Cultures
- Deal-Focus (DF) cultures prioritize tasks and results, while Relationship-Focus (RF) cultures prioritize building relationships and trust
Adapting to Foreign Business Practices
- International companies must adapt to foreign business practices to succeed, and understanding these practices is crucial
Improving Cultural Awareness
- Businesspeople can improve awareness and sensitivity to cultural differences through education, training, and experience
Cultural Diversity as a Competitive Advantage
- Cultural diversity is considered a competitive advantage as it brings diverse perspectives, ideas, and approaches
Personal Distress in International Companies
- Employees in international companies may experience personal distress due to cultural differences, language barriers, and adapting to new environments
Managing Cultural Diversity in Multinational Teams
- Key advice for managing cultural diversity in multinational teams is to be aware of and respect differences, and to adopt a flexible and open-minded approach
Challenges of Cultivating Diversity
- Successfully cultivating diversity is difficult due to the complexity of cultural differences and the need for ongoing effort and commitment
Cultural Variables
- Examples of cultural variables that differ among cultures but exist everywhere include communication styles, time orientation, and individualism vs. collectivism
Test your knowledge of culture in international business with this quiz based on Chapter 2 of 'International Business: Environment and Operations' 16th Edition by John D. Daniels, Lee H. Radebaugh, and Daniel P. Sullivan. The quiz covers the importance of national culture, major causes of national cultural formation and change, behavioral factors influencing countries' business practices, and complexities of cross-cultural communication.
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