Chapter 2: International Business Practices



UNIT 2: Chapter 3

What is Culture?

Define the following key terms:

• Culture

• Subculture

• Counterculture

• Rationalization

• Monochronic

• Polychronic

• Spatial Perception

• Cultural Dimensions

Questions:

1. Describe some of the cultural differences between Saudi Arabia and Japan.

2. Explain how the need for cultural awareness in international business relationships depends on the:

a. extent of foreign operations

b. control of foreign operations

c. degree of cultural differences

d. number of foreign operations

3. Explain the impact of culture on the export of goods (products) and services.

4. Explain the impact of culture on:

a. rationalization and offshoring policies

b. child labour laws

c. anti-discrimination laws

d. wage rates

e. workplace standards and practices

f. indigenous cultures

5. Explain cultural differences with respect to business meetings and negotiations in terms of:

a. time perception (monochronic vs. polychronic)

b. spatial perception (personal space and physical contact)

c. non-verbal communications/body language (paying attention, eye contact, hand and head gestures)

d. business etiquette (business cards, business attire, gifts, greetings including shaking hands, kissing and introductions, appropriate conversation topics)

6. Explain Geert Hofstede's cultural dimensions theory with respect to workplace values in terms of:

a. high vs. low power distance

b. high vs. low uncertainty avoidance

c. masculinity vs. femininity

d. individualism vs. collectivism

e. long-term vs. short-term orientation

CHAPTER 3 CLASS DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Think Ahead!

Discussion Questions:

• What happens if a family from another culture moves to Canada and their children grow up attending a Canadian public school? What cultural differences might occur between the younger and the older generations?

• Why is it important for companies to be culturally aware? Can you think of an example where the lack of cultural awareness could be an issue?

• Can you think of examples of how culture may lead to discrimination in the workplace?

• How does Hofsted’s theory relate to the Canadian workplace?

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