chapter 4: differences in culture

cross-cultural literacy

understanding how the culture of a country affects the way business is practiced

culture

a system of values and norms that are shared among a group of people and that when taken together constitute a design for living

values

abstract ides about what a society believes to be good, right, and desirable

norms

social rules and guidelines that prescribe appropriate behavior in particular situations

society

group of people who share a common set of values and norms

folkways

routine conversations of everyday life

mores

norms seen as central to the functioning of a society and to its social life

power distance

theory of how a society deals with the fact that people are unequal in physical and intellectual capabilities

high power distance cultures

found in countries that let inequalities grow over time into inequalities of power and wealth

low power distance cultures

found in societies that try to play down such inequalities as much as possible

individualism versus collectivism

theory focusing on the relationship between the individual and his or her fellows

individualistic societies

the ties between individuals are loose and individual achievement is highly valued

collectivistic societies

ties between individuals are tight, people are born into collectives, such as extended families, and everyone is supposed to look after the interest of his or her collective

uncertainty avoidance

extent to which cultures socialize members to accept ambiguous situations and to tolerate uncertainty

masculinity versus femininity

theory of the relationship between gender and work roles

masculine cultures

sex roles are sharply differentiated and traditional “masculine values” such as achievement and the effective exercise of power determine cultural ideals

feminine cultures

sex roles are less sharply distinguished and little differentiation is made between men and women in the same job

long-term versus short-term orientation

the theory of the extent to which a culture programs its citizens to accept delayed gratification of their material, social, and emotional needs; captures attitudes toward time, persistence, ordering by status, protection of face, respect for tradition, and reciprocation of gifts and favors

ethnocentrism

behavior that is based on the belief in the superiority of one’s own ethnic group or culture; often shows disregard or contempt for the culture of other countries