Question

Cultural and behavioural differences in different countries

Answer 1

Increasingly, managers must deal with multiple ethnic groups with very different cultures. Thanks to globalization, you are likely to work with Japanese, French, Chinese, German and all sorts of other nationalities. It is important to recognize that people from different cultures have are different in a variety of ways, including

different ways of looking at things

different ways of dressing

different ways of expressing personality/goodness


These differences can cause problems interpreting what the other person is doing. Some simple examples:

In the US, a firm, short handshake indicates self-confidence and (heterosexual) masculinity. A limp handshake by a man can be interpreted (usually wrongly) as a sign of homosexuality or wimpiness. But in most parts of Africa, a limp handshake is the correct way to do it. Furthermore, it is common in Africa for the handshake to last several minutes, while in the US a handshake that is even a few seconds too long is interpreted as familiarity, warmth and possibly sexual attraction.

In Britain, men do not look at women on the streets. The French do. Recently, a French public figure mentioned in a speech that the Brits are all gay -- the evidence was their lack of overt interest in women.

 

Some dimensions along which cultures vary:

Answer 2

Answer:

Nine national cultural value differences

Individualism vs. Collectivism. ...

Power Distance. In high Power Distance societies, hierarchical systems of assigned roles organise behaviour. ...

Uncertainty Avoidance. ...

Orientation to Time. ...

Gender Egalitarianism. ...