International Organization Behavior and Cultural Frameworks

Flashcards covering key terms and concepts in International Organization Behavior, cultural dimensions, and framework models.

Globalization

Geography becomes less of a constraint; people become more aware of global interconnectedness (shared neighborhood)

International Organization Behavior

Study of organizational behavior across cultures

Reasons to Study IOB

Competitive advantage, collaboration, managing diversity

Industrialization

Creates organizational structures and cultures that are same regardless of national culture

Culture

Shared values, norms, assumptions that shape behavior in people or society

Origins of National Cultures

Roots in ethnic identity, religion, social class, or combination of these

Limitations to Culture

1. Numerous definitions 2. Difficult to measure 3. Too comprehensive in explanation

Normative Theories

The way organizations ought to function

Descriptive Theories

Portrays organizations realistically

Value Judgements

Culturally biased assessments of behavior

Ethnocentrism

Belief that one's own culture is superior or central to the other; putting ones own culture above the other, deeming it as the "standard"

Culture Shock

Adverse or confused reaction to behaviors that may seem unfamiliar or foreign

Comparative Method

Reduce forms of cultural bias; sophisticated approach to describe organizational behaviors

Convergence

Cultures becomes more similar over time; common ways of working

Divergence

Cultural practices remain different; resists becoming the same

Levels of Culture

1. Manifest culture 2. Expressed values 3. Basic assumptions

Manifest Culture

Observable elements; behaviors, language, music, food, and technology (e.g., Tabi boot split toe)

Expressed Values

How people explain their visible culture (e.g., Tabi boots love for avant-garde, challenging norms, or Japanese craftsmanship)

Basic Assumptions

Unconscious beliefs that guide behavior (e.g., Tabi boots core philosophy that fashion should question norms or tradition can be reinterpreted)

Enculturation

Unintentional learning from environment; natural absorption and generational transmission

Primary Socialization

Intentional learning that occurs within family or community

Secondary Socialization

Learning roles later in life (knowledge or skills); medicine, law, etc.

Subcultures

Groups with distinct ethnic/language/religious traits

Kluckkohn and Strodtbeck Framework

Values orientation; how societies cope with issues or problems

Relation to Nature (Kluckkohn and Strodtbeck)

1. Subjugation (to accept) 2. Harmony (Harmonize with nature or coexist) 3. Mastery (to go against)

Time Orientation (Kluckkohn and Strodtbeck)

1. Past - tradition 2. Present - short-term 3. Future - long-term

Basic Human Nature (Kluckkohn and Strodtbeck)

1. Evil 2. Neutral/Mixed 3. Good

Activity Orientation (Kluckkohn and Strodtbeck)

1. Being - enjoying life 2. Controlling - rational or logic 3. Doing - action/achievement

Relationships Among People (Kluckkohn and Strodtbeck)

1. Individualistic - personal 2. Group - collective 3. Hierarchal - ranking

Space Orientation (Kluckkohn and Strodtbeck)

1. Private - personal space 2. Mixed - Common and personal 3. Public - for everyone

Hofstede's Dimensions

Six measurable dimensions; scoreboard of cultural preferences

Individualistic (Hofstede)

Each person's rights are highly valued (USA)

Collectivistic (Hofstede)

Value the overall good of the group (Japan)

Low Power Distance

Less comfortable with power differences or hierarchy (Norway)

High Power Distance

Different ranks are accepted (Philippines)

Weak Uncertainty Avoidance

Favors unstructured situations; values flexibility and risk (United States)

Strong Uncertainty Avoidance

Prefer more structure (Japan)

Masculine Society

"tough values"; assertiveness and competition are dominant (Germany)

Feminine Society

"tender values"; personal relationships or quality of life are crucial (Finland)

Long-term Oriented

Greater concern with future and values persistence; Japan

Short-term Oriented

Oriented towards past and present; respect for tradition; United States

Indulgence

More free and let you live your life to the fullest; Latin America

Restraint

Modern restricted roles on how you function through daily life; Middle Eastern countries

Schwartz Dimensions

What people value; motivation

Autonomy (Schwartz)

Value independence and self-expression; be your own person

Embeddedness (Schwartz)

Preserve social order and group loyalty; family and duty first

Hierarchy (Schwartz)

Accept unequal roles and authority; status and rank matter

Egalitarianism (Schwartz)

Emphasize equality and social justice; everyone matters

Mastery (Schwartz)

Encourages to master, change or exploit natural or social environments

Harmony (Schwartz)

Understanding and fitting with the environment

Universalism

Definition or truth applies to all situations

Particularism

Context, unique circumstances

Individualism

Focuses on personal freedom or achievement

Communitarianism

Focuses on group loyalty, social responsibility

Specificity

Work life and personal life strictly separate

Diffusion

Work life and personal life overlap; relationships flow across all areas

Inner-directed

Conscience and control come from inside; you change your environment to fit your goals

Outer-directed

Believe guidance comes from outside (nature/society); adapt yourself to fit the environment

Sequential

Time is linear; one thing at a time, punctuality and strict schedules

Synchronous

Time is flexible/fluid; multitasking, run several activities at once

Achievement

Status and respect are earned based on performance; earned badge

Ascription

Status is assigned based on who you are; born/given title

Hall's High and Low Context Cultural Framework

How much reading between the lines you have to do when someone speaks to you

Low-Context Cultures

Words carry almost all the meaning; direct, clear, and detailed

High-Context Cultures

Little meaning is explicitly stated; indirect, subtle, and implicit

Ronen and Shenkar's Country Clusters

Based on work values, geographic location, language, and region; High Gross National Product sit closer to center

Survival Values

Prioritizes economic and physical security

Self-expression Values

Prioritizes quality of life

Gannon's Cultural Metaphors

Approach to understanding culture; understand essential features of a society

Brown's Cultural Universals

374 cultural universals compose of the "Universal People"; significant elements of human behavior are same throughout society (e.g., Food, art, greetings, music, marriage, and acknowledgment of death)

Caveats of Culture

1. Stereotyping 2. Overgeneralization 3. Ethnocentrism

Stereotyping

Assumption of ones behavior in a specific culture is identical to all in that culture

Overgeneralization

Applying one broad observation to all situations or subculture