Lebanese Christian and Australian

Running head: MANAGING IN GLOBAL ENVIRONEMENT
MANAGING IN GLOBAL ENVIRONEMENT
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1MANAGING IN GLOBAL ENVIRONEMENT
Culture comparison: Lebanese Christian and Australian
The study is focused towards the essential analysis of the cultural dimensions that are
related to the diverse cultures of the world. The two cultures that have been chosen for
comparison in the same context are culture A: Lebanese Christian culture and culture B:
Australian culture. Lebanese Christian culture is in many ways similar to the Arab culture that
encompasses the lives of both Christian and Muslim Arabs. The cultural dimension that is
chosen for the comparative analysis is individualism vs collectivism in accordance of the
Hofstede;s model.
Frame of Reference
The frame of reference for the comparison is the individualism vs collectivism aspects
that are connected with the Hofstede’s cultural dimension model. Cultural dimensions are very
much important in determining the outlooks of the people from different cultures. This can be
applied mostly towards workplace job orientation. However, this can also be applied to the
general outlooks of the people from two different cultures. It is important in regards to the
individualism aspect of the Hofstede model that the values of the individual oriented and the
comparative differences with the collective orientation factors are considered. Individualism
means the self-image that is created among the people of a certain culture. In this regards the
societies of the various cultures can be either considered to be individualistic or collectivist
societies. In societies that are more individualistic people are expected to look after themselves.
In Comparison in societies that are collectivist, people are expected to be in groups and help each
other to grow and develop.
Grounds of Comparison

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The individualistic and collectivist grounds were chosen in accordance of the Hofstede’s
model as it is an important cultural dimension in regards to the two countries that are being
compared. The cultures are Lebanese Christian and Australian. Australians are mostly European
and British immigrants. On the other hand Lebanese Christian are Middle Eastern. Individualism
and collectivism are taken as they are important premises. This determines the differences in
both the social and organizational behaviors of the people that belong to the different cultures.
This is a specific dimension that can help in understanding cultures and cultural inclinations
better. Hence, these has been chosen as the cultural aspects that are evaluated in accordance of
their comparative significance. Individualistic cultures tend to be more competitive and
collectivist cultures focus more on the achievement of collective goals.
Thesis
In regards to the Individualism dimension of the Hofstede’s model, the Lebanese
Christian culture and the Australian cultures vary greatly. Australia is a more individualistic
society. In Australian Society, the individuals are given more preferences over the groups.
Australia tends to be highly individualistic. The social structure is loosely knit with no great
emphasis on collective efforts. People are required to be more self-reliant (Hofstede Insights
2019). Lebanon on the other hand is considered to be a highly collectivist culture. People are
required to work together towards collective goals. Group oriented behaviors are given much
more importance in determining the value of the outcomes. Hence, it can be said that there are
essential differences that are present within the Lebanese Christians and the Australians. The
Lebanese Christians tend to work together effectively in groups. The Australians are more
inclined toward individual prowess.
Organizational Scheme

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The two cultures can be organized in accordance of the outlooks of the people.
Australians are more into individual glory. Hence, the organizational information that are passed
to individuals are done so in order to display the effectiveness of the knowledge gathered. In
Australia families are considered on the basis of people and their immediate family members.
People are required to look after themselves and often people leave their families after attaining
adulthood. Employees need to be self-reliant and asking too much from others in terms of work
can be viewed as offensive at times.
The Lebanese Christian culture is different as the Lebanese tend to be Arab Christians
with the great degree of collectivity and unity. In Lebanese culture people are expected to
commit to their family groups. This can even mean their extended family members. Loyalty
becomes an important factor for Lebanese Christians as they function collectively as families or
groups at workplaces (Schminke, Arnaud and Taylor 2015). Everyone is expected to take
responsibility for everyone. Offences in these societies often leads to shaming of the individuals.
Moral relationships exist between the employer and the employees.
Linking the two cultures
The two cultures are different in terms of their individualistic and collectivist approaches.
Hence, in accordance of the thesis, the cultural inclinations of Australians are different from the
Lebanese in terms of Individualism. This means that while Lebanese Christians tend to value
more collectivist tendencies, the Australians prefer that each individual takes care of
himself/herself. The goals orientation is also changed in this case as the Lebanese would go for
collective goals and the Australians for the individual goals.

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References
Hofstede Insights. (2019). Country Comparison - Hofstede Insights. [online] Available at:
https://www.hofstede-insights.com/country-comparison/australia,lebanon/ [Accessed 24 Aug.
2019].
Lo, K.D., Waters, R.D. and Christensen, N., 2017. Assessing the applicability of Hofstede’s
cultural dimensions for Global 500 corporations’ Facebook profiles and content. Journal of
Communication Management, 21(1), pp.51-67.
Schminke, M., Arnaud, A. and Taylor, R., 2015. Ethics, values, and organizational justice:
Individuals, organizations, and beyond. Journal of Business Ethics, 130(3), pp.727-736.