Unit 1 Intercultural Managment

understaning cultural differences

reconginising how values and norms shape behavior

going global

working effectively in international markets and enviornments

multicultural workplace

collaborating with people who bring diffeent cutlural perspectives

what is intercultural management

practice of managing people, teams and organisations when cutlural difference influece how work is understood and performed

intercultural managemnt

managing people and organisatinal processes across cultural differences

multicultural organisation

an organisation in which people from different cultural backgorunds work together

international management

managing organizations, activities or markets across national borders

culture as a system

shared values, meanings, norms and practices that influenece how people make sense of the world.

values

what is important? what is desirable?

norms

what is considered appropriate or expected?

beliefs

what do people assume to be true?

behaviours

what do people acutally do, and how do they interpret others?

TIME

punctuality, schedules, flexibility

RELATIONSHIP vs. TASK

connection before business?

COMMUNICATION

what does “yes” mean?

DIRECT vs. INDIRECT

how is feedback delivered?

HIERARCHY & SOCIAL DISTANCE

titles, first names, status

What does “YES” mean?

• I understand

• I hear you

• I acknowledge what you said

• I agree

• I accept

• I will do it

Power Distance (PDI):

How much a society accepts unequal

distribution of power and hierarchy.

Individualism vs. Collectivism (IDV):

Whether people tend to prioritize individual goals and autonomy or group loyalty and collective interests.

Masculinity vs. Femininity (MAS):

The extent to which a culture emphasizes competition, achievement, and material success versus cooperation, relationships, and quality of life.

Uncertainty Avoidance (UAI):

How comfortable people are with ambiguity, uncertainty, and unstructured situations.

Long-Term vs. Short-Term Orientation (LTO)

Whether a culture tends to emphasize future-oriented persistence and adaptation or tradition, immediate results, and social obligations

cultural intelligence

It means becoming better at recognizing when your own way of seeing the world is only one possible way.

cultural shock

Experience of disorientation, frustration, or stress that can occur when familiar assumptions and routines no longer work as expected in a new cultural environment.

cultural shock cycle

honeymoon, frustration/crisis, adjustment, adaptation

THE INTERCULTURAL “STOP” TOOL

Seperate, Think, Observe, Proceed

separate

facts from interpretation

think

generate 3 possible explaniations

observe

is it one person, or a repeated pattern

proceed

try a different response and see what happens

reverse culture shock

Your expectations have changed, Familiar behaviour now feels strange, You miss parts of Spain, Friends and family may not understand the experience, You may compare everything with Seville, You may feel that you have changed — but home has not.

adaptation

can I learn another way to interpreting and responding

universal dilemma

tenstion between two values that can both be considered postive or desirable (negative and undesirable)

Universal dilemma ≠ universal solution.

Many societies encounter similar tensions—equality vs. hierarchy, individual needs vs. group needs, rules vs. relationships, directness vs. harmony—but organize them differently.

how does a dilemma occur

A dilemma occurs when two desirable CULTURAL values or priorities come into tension.

Cultural framworks and dilemma

Cultural frameworks describe tendencies, not rules or patterns governing individuals.

Culture influences how people interpret and manage dilemmas, but it does not determine individual behavior.

THE UNIVERSAL DILEMMA MODEL

HUMAN CHALLENGE

↓

TWO COMPETING VALUES

↓

CULTURAL INTERPRETATION

↓

PREFERRED BEHAVIORAL SOLUTION

↓

POSSIBLE INTERCULTURAL MISUNDERSTANDING

Iceberg model: event

what is happening right now?

ex: the low birth rate

Iceberg model: patttern

What has been happening over time? what are the trends?

ex: childfree marriage, greater longevity

Iceberg model: structure

whats influencing these patterns? where are the connections between patterns?

ex: higher costs of living which leads to childless marriage, more concerns for raising children in todays society

Iceberg model: mental model

what values, beliefs or assumptions shape the system?

ex: changed definition of family

what is the main purpose of the article?

To examine how television coverage of the 1992 Barcelona Olympics shaped international perceptions of Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain, and Europe.

Why did organizers use the Olympics as a media opportunity?

To create a positive international image of Barcelona, Catalonia, and Spain.

What image of Spain did organizers want to promote?

A modern, democratic, culturally rich, and energetic nation.

How did organizers want Barcelona to be viewed?

As a modern, creative, historic, and successful international city.

What was Catalonia's role in the identity campaign?

To showcase its distinct language, culture, traditions, and regional identity.

What research method was used in the study?

Analysis of Olympic television broadcasts from 25 countries.

How did broadcasters generally portray Spain?

As passionate, cultural, artistic, and modern.

Which Spanish cultural figures were often used as symbols of Spanish identity?

Picasso, Miró, and Dalí.

What symbols were used to represent Catalonia?

The Catalan language, flag, anthem, sardana dance, and human towers.

What surprised researchers about Catalonia's portrayal?

It received much more international recognition than expected.

How did different countries interpret Catalonia?

Some emphasized its political autonomy, while others focused mainly on culture

How was Barcelona commonly portrayed by broadcasters?

As vibrant, creative, beautiful, and transformed by the Olympics.

What famous Barcelona landmarks appeared in broadcasts?

Sagrada Família and Montjuïc.

What identity received the least attention from broadcasters?

Europe as a host identity.

Which identity theme was more successful than the European theme?

The Mediterranean identity.

Why was the Mediterranean identity effective?

It was easy for audiences to associate with Barcelona's culture, climate, and location.

Why was television important in shaping perceptions?

It allowed viewers worldwide to see cultural symbols, landmarks, ceremonies, and traditions.

What was one major conclusion of the study?

The Barcelona Olympics successfully improved the international image of Barcelona, Catalonia, and Spain.

What four identities were promoted during the Barcelona Olympics?

Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain, and Europe.

Which identity gained the most unexpected international recognition?

Catalonia

What was the overall message communicated about Barcelona?

That it was a modern, welcoming, culturally rich city capable of hosting a major global event.