Chapter 4-Differences in Culture

What is culture?

A system of values and norms shared among a group of people that constitutes a design for living.

What are values in the context of culture?

Abstract ideas about what a group believes to be good, right, and desirable.

What are norms?

Social rules and guidelines that prescribe appropriate behavior in specific situations.

What determines culture?

Determinants include social structure, religion, language, education, and political and economic philosophies.

What is individualism?

The degree to which the basic unit of social organization is the individual, as opposed to the group.

What is collectivism?

The concept where the group is the primary unit of social organization, discouraging job switching and encouraging lifetime employment.

What is social stratification?

A hierarchical classification of individuals or groups in a society based on socio-economic status.

What is the caste system?

A closed system of stratification where social position is determined by the family into which a person is born.

What are the four dominant religions influencing culture?

Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism.

How does Christianity influence business ethics?

Promotes hard work, wealth creation, and frugality, as theorized by Max Weber.

What is the significance of ethical systems in culture?

They are a set of moral principles produced by religions that guide and shape behavior.

What role does language play in culture?

Enables communication, structures perceptions, and directs attention to certain aspects of the world.

How does education influence culture?

Formal education fosters cultural norms and values, impacting competitive advantage in nations.

What does the World Values Survey study?

It studies changing values and their impact on social and political life across countries.

What are traditional values?

Values emphasizing religion, family ties, deference to authority, and national pride.

What are self-expression values?

Values that emphasize environmental protection, tolerance, and increased participation in decision-making.

What are Hofstede's five dimensions of culture?

Power distance, individualism versus collectivism, uncertainty avoidance, masculinity versus femininity, and long-term orientation.

What is cross-cultural literacy?

An understanding of how cultural differences can affect business practices across and within nations.

What is a global mindset?

The ability to deal with cognitive complexity and openness to new ideas and different cultures.