Table of Contents INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1 PART 1 (THEORY)........................................................................................................................1 Analysis of the Country Navigator WorldPrism tool.............................................................1 PART 2 (PRACTICE/APPLICATION)..........................................................................................3 Concept of cross cultural differences...............................................................................................3 Impact of culture upon management activities................................................................................4 Time focus (Monochromic / Polychronic).............................................................................4 Time orientation (past, present and future)............................................................................4 Power (hierarchy and equality)..............................................................................................5 Built-in Competitiveness........................................................................................................5 Impact of cultural differences upon working in a multi-cultural team............................................5 Methods used by businesses for promotion of positive and ethical cross-cultural behaviours.......6 Application of the Country Navigator WorldPrism tool..................................................................6 Relating Tendencies...............................................................................................................6 Regulating Tendencies...........................................................................................................7 Reasoning Tendencies............................................................................................................8 Cultural Training Program/Tools.....................................................................................................9 Cultural assessment and diagnostics......................................................................................9 Coaching.................................................................................................................................9 Country guides and flight packs...........................................................................................10 Mobile Learning...................................................................................................................10 Virtual Classroom.................................................................................................................10 Face to Face Training...........................................................................................................10 CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................11 REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................12
INTRODUCTION Cross culture can be said to be the system whereby the national, ethnic and regional difference underlying within the methodologies and etiquettes are recognised and analysed with an aim of finding the ways through which such distinction can be bridged. This project is divided into two parts. The first part is considered with the general analysis of the Country Navigator WorldPrism tool and the aspects linked to it. The second part is based upon Bentley Motors which is a British company engaged in manufacturing and distribution of automobile across different parts of the globe. This section deals with comparison of two nations named United Kingdom and Spain by analysing complex facets of business relations intertwined with cultural aspects. The comparison of cultures of both the nations would be carried on the basis of study of the Country Navigator WorldPrism tool and its application to the nations in wider context. PART 1 (THEORY) Analysis of the Country Navigator WorldPrism tool Cross cultural approach can be referred to as the approach that is concerned with comparison of national marketing system along with local consumer behaviour and beliefs in a wide range of countries across the globe. This tends to emphasize upon the facets which are central to a specific nation and the ones which are universal i.e. applicable to every country worldwide. Such kind of approach is important for preparing as well as implementing marketing strategies in a variety of national contexts. Further, an intercultural approach is based upon the study of interactions taking place between the business associates, buyer, seller who pertain to diverse cultural or national backgrounds. Such an approach is also extended to the interaction taking place between the goods (their physical attributes along with message) from a specific national culture and customers belonging to a distinct national culture (Marketing Across Fourth Edition Cultures, 2020). Thus, the interaction is not just viewed in a narrow sense between people but also in a broader sense between consumers as well as message and consumers along with goods. In-spite of the similarities shared by two individuals, it is obviated that people belonging to two different nations are culturally distinct. This difference prevails as they have had never shared the same set of experiences or life conditions. Even when such individuals belong to the same family, they will have differences between them if they have been living in two diverse 1
countries over the course of time. Such small variations prevailing amidst the personnel tend to lead to generation of substantial differences in their assumption, expectation or perception. Thus, this gives rise to the premise that every individual pertaining to the world is unique in own way. While they may possess similarities with some beings, there will always be some dissimilarity between them also. Such differences arise mainly because of the diversity in their cultural or national backgrounds. An individual becomes conscious of their differences to others and managetheirrelationshipswithpeopleinabettermannerbylearningthelanguageof differences. In this relation, the WorldPrism is recognised to be a tool which provides people or businesses with the terminology for being vocal about cultural differences (The Worldprism model of cultural differences,2020). The WorldPrism model for cultural differences The WorldPrism tool provides assistance in exploring the taken for granted ways in which individuals think about and exhibit behavioural conduct within the world. Especially, it renders aid in uncovering:- Taken for granted expectation about normal way of relating with other individuals Taken for granted expectation about normal way of managing or regulation the world circumscribing people 2
Paraphrase This Document
Need a fresh take? Get an instant paraphrase of this document with our AI Paraphraser
Taken for granted expectation about normal way of reasoning regarding the issues or challenges The three facets of difference, namely, Regulating, Relating and Reasoning are themselves further categorised into 3 kinds of attitudinal or behavioural tendencies, which acts as the default preferences of individuals regarding the manner in which they create sense of the world and their interaction with one another (The Worldprism model of cultural differences,2020). Relating Tendencies Task relationship: How interaction is carried out Explicit – Implicit: How communication is done with other individuals Individual – Group: How one identifies oneself in relation to other persons Regulating Tendencies Risk taking – Risk avoiding: How uncertainties are dealt with Tight – Loose: How time is perceived Shared – Concentrated: How power is distributed Reasoning Tendencies Facts – Thinking: How others are influenced Linear – Circular: How problem solving is approaches Simple – Complex: How one’s thoughts are presented PART 2 (PRACTICE/APPLICATION) Concept of cross cultural differences Cross culture can be referred to as the efforts placed by a company for making sure that its people interact with professionals from diverse backgrounds in an effectual way. Cross cultural differences can be said to be the distinction underlying between the ideologies, mindsets, behavioural pattern, performance conduct and other variables linked to a company or individuals pertinent to the company and other organisations or individuals pertinent to those organisations belonging to different cultural / national background. It is important for companies like Bentley Motors which function on a global scale to study the cross culture differences in a commercial or workplace context. This tends to imply that a company is usually acknowledged to be a home to diverse set of national and cultural 3
backgrounds. Cross cultural differences may be witnessed within the confines of workplace in terms of communication, etiquettes, behavioural conduct, work ethics, etc. Impact of culture upon management activities Management activities are largely influenced by the diverse set of cultures of personnel working within a company. In this relation, it has been identified that one of the key management activities is acknowledged to be meeting. The diverse set of individuals possesses different attitudes towards management of meetings. So, a manager has to undertake measures through which such differences can be reconciled in the wake of globalisation. Thus, the different attitudes of individuals while carrying out management activities is analysed by the management of Bentley Motors as follows:- Time focus (Monochromic / Polychronic) The perception of time is different in every culture in accordance with the history, tradition etc. As per Hall and Hall, the two authors have acknowledged the two main kinds of time system named monochronic and polychronic. Differences tend to lie between individuals as per the kind of time system in accordance with which they operate.For instance:The cultures which have monochronic time system use time in a linear manner whereby individuals tend to execute meetings or other management activities at a particular point of time as per the pre defined schedule. Such individuals tend to emphasize over data instead of personnel. Opposed to this, the cultures following the time system named polychromic have people focussing upon more than one activity or task at a time. Such individuals are less dependent over in depth information and prepare schedules that can be changed at any point of time. Time orientation (past, present and future) The cultures tend to have difference in accordance with their perception of time orientation.For instance:Cultures that are concerned with past are the one which give value to past tradition and customers in culture. The plans made by them in relation to management activities like meetings are emphasized upon determining whether or not they are as per the traditions as well as the history of the entity. The cultures concerned of the past seek to attain short term gains while the future focussed entities are the companies which seek to obtain long term benefit. In this relation, it has been identified that the nations like Far East, India and Iran are past oriented cultures. Opposed to this, it is acknowledged that the urban US culture is present oriented. Further, Latin 4
America’s culture is oriented towards past as well as present. Thus, it can be analysed that past oriented corporations tend to focus upon traditions while executing management activities like meetings, and develop onto them long run plan. On the other hand, future oriented organisations focus over long term plan and outcomes while conducting meetings or other kind of activities. Power (hierarchy and equality) Within the confines of the work environment, the degree of power is underlined in culture which is linked to chain of authority. The representatives tend to actualize the orders received from their supervisor and the job role of that supervisor is to make decision and disseminate the work amidst the representatives pertinent to the company.For instance:In certain societies, disparity is acknowledged and there are no endeavours executed for altering the overall circumstance. On the contrary, in other types of societies, disparity is regarded to be something which is unfortunate and subsequently it requires change. Equality oriented societies don't stress over the chain of authority despite the fact that it exists so as to encourage relations inside the business association. Therefore, supervisors are engaged with the work instead of individuals whose job is to pass out instructions. Similarly, administrators are not regarded to be the persons who make thechoicesallalone;thedynamicactisexecutedatthediscretionallthecompany representatives who are associated with the problem. Built-in Competitiveness The board may emphasize over rivalry in an association, especially when its nature is that of a "free market". Within the confines of certain associations, rivalry amidst the workers is urged so as to make the representatives progressively capable and increasingly creative. Thus, the extent to which competitiveness is promoted within an organisation tends to give rise to differences within the working patterns of the companies. Impact of cultural differences upon working in a multi-cultural team It is well known that working within a multi-cultural team is a complex task involving a lot of issues at its forefront. In this relation, it is identified that the communication ways of individuals maytendtodifferfromoneanotherwhileworkingwithpeoplefromdiversecultural backgrounds. Whereby some of the individuals may prefer to communicate in a direct manner, others may like to leverage the indirect way of communication. This tends to imply distinction and diversities existing in the manner in which the team members of the multi cultural teams 5
Secure Best Marks with AI Grader
Need help grading? Try our AI Grader for instant feedback on your assignments.
voice out their views and opinions. It is important for an organisation like Bentley Motors to emphasize upon imparting cross cultural training to its workforce so that it can operate effective within a multi cultural team. Methods used by businesses for promotion of positive and ethical cross- cultural behaviours The businesses operating in a globalised context need to promote positive and ethical cross cultural behaviours. For this purpose, the organisations like Bentley Motors can make use of several methods. Out of all the methods, the most prominent ones are acknowledged to bestaff trainingandpromotion of multi cultural team working. In relation to the first method, it can be analysed that cross cultural training provided to staff members of Bentley Motors provide assistance in accelerating acculturation. The multinational brands or organisations which intend to carry out expansion of their market space devote their resource package towards provision of trainingto theemployees.Suchsessionsoftrainingand developmentareimportantfor acquainting them with knowledge regarding the manner in which they should set communication with the individuals pertinent to diverse set of cultures, different from theirs. In addition to this, the second method seeks to promote individuals pertinent to the international company to operate in multi-cultural team settings. This helps them to a great extent to exhibit and understand cultural sensitivity. Application of the Country Navigator WorldPrism tool The management of Bentley Motors is considering carrying out expansion of the business operations within the market of Spain. This country has been selected looking upon the well equipped infrastructural, communication and technological facilities. The understanding of the cultural differences between both the countries is better understood with the help of application of the Country Navigator WorldPrism tool. Relating Tendencies Task relationship:UK believes in carrying out relationship with their associate people by directly indulging with them in the interaction section. This interaction is held between business associated people with the motive of sharing their views and perception towards each other in order to develop strong relationship with them. Whereas, if it is emphasised on Spain, it has been seen that business associated people of these places 6
only believes in sharing their communication with one in limited way only. It can be said that people of Spain believes in only developing professional relationship with one another as they do not want to develop any sort of personal connection with them. Explicit – Implicit:While it is emphasised on UK, it has been analysed that this nation is implicit in nature and might develop chances of miscommunication and confusion among the people who are interactingwith one another. On the other hand, when itis emphasised on Spain, it can be said that the respective nation believes in having a clear and cut professional communication where they interacts with one another with full justified topics. This clear and cut communication directly leaves no space for the confusion or misunderstanding. This clearly depicts that people of Spain follows explicit communication while having interaction with one another. Individual – Group:At the time of determining actual positioning of the individual in terms of maintaining relationship with other people. Here,UK people believes in following individual approach as they are self oriented people and only wants to develop growth in any form. These people do not wants to share group or long term relations with the one who does not provide profit to them or could contribute in attaining success with them. On the other hand, if it is talked about Spain, it has been seen that the similar kind of approach is being used by this nation and its citizen. Here, it can be said that the people of Spain also shares limited relations with one another. These people are too self centred people as they do not want to indulge into the group relationship as it might influence their growth rate in negative manner. This clearly depicts that both the UK and Spain is also already making use of individual approach. Regulating Tendencies Risk taking – Risk avoiding:Even though UK is taken as the developed nation but still people of this nation prefers to avoid risk with the motive of keeping themselves away from the uncertainties. In order to do effectively, people of UK initially investigate the whole situation and then handle it in such a manner that ultimately leads to avoiding the risk in negative manner. On the contrary, if it is emphasised on the people of Spain, it can be said that these people are perceived as the most risk taker as they wants to attain higher success for this they believes in following the concept of taking more risk in order to attain success in lesser period of time. Also, it has been analysed that these people are 7
mentally developed in such a manner that they can easily handle any sort of situation without facing any sort of problem related to the same with their expertise in the past. Tight – Loose:When it is emphasizes on the regulating tendencies, it has been analysed that for UK these regulations are very tight as each and every activity within the nation is performed by following each and every law so that rightful measure towards the same can be taken in appropriate manner. This simply ensures that each and every work related to the same is performed in the systematic and timely. On the other, in Spain its people are not much influenced towards the rules and regulations as they only believes in performing their work but do not care about its time limitations. This clearly shows that they are not abiding with each and every norm in rightful manner. Shared – Concentrated:Power is acknowledged as most important thing for every individual it can be said that people of UK believes in sharing their power among the employees in order to provide them liberty about the work. This simply makes business functioning smoother as they can decisions at their own level which simply saves their time of performing the same work in rightful manner.On the contrary, people of Spain believes in keeping their power to themselves only in order to keep themseleves secure and confidential. If it is talked abut the business prarctices it has been analysed that the tnop management team working in Spain do not gives complete liberty to the employees in terms of power. Here, all the majir decisions are taken by the superiors only whcih depicts taht the power is not deligated to anyone else. Reasoning Tendencies Facts – Thinking:UK baiscally goes wth the facts in order to influence people towards themsleves, whereas if it is talked about the Spain it has been seen that the specific nation believes in influening others only with their thinking. Here, it has been aalysed that the main focus of the Spain people especialy busienss associated people to emphaise infliuencing business parties with thieir syring thinking capabilities so taht they can eaisly attain success with it in quikcer period of time. Linear – Circular:People of UK are mainly following linear appraoch in order to resolve their problems associated with the businesses. Thsi simly makes the overall problem solving method simpler. On the other hand, if it is talked about the Spain, mainly 8
Paraphrase This Document
Need a fresh take? Get an instant paraphrase of this document with our AI Paraphraser
circular appraoch is basicially used by its people in order to resolve tbuisness associated problems in rightful manner and drawing conclusion within the available period of time. Simple – Complex:In order to express thought in front of others mainly simple methods are acquired by UK people as it makes overall process smoother. On the other hand, indivduals of Spain are not representing their thoughts in the clearer manner whcih makes overall situation more complicated. Cultural Training Program/Tools The management of Bentley Motors has taken use of CountryNavigator to develop a training program which is a composite of multiple training tools. Such training tools will be handy for the staff to understand the cross cultural management and gain knowledge of the culture of the new country, Spain, which is different from the domestic market (United Kingdom). The overview of the training tools is given as follows:- Cultural assessment and diagnostics Cultural assessment and diagnostics are a fundamental beginning stage for creating social insight. Differing styles carry huge advantages to associations – yet just on the off chance that they are overseen well (Effective learning toolsfor developing cultural understanding,2020). Country Navigator's ground-breaking arrangement of instruments will be leveraged by the management of Bentley Motors to empower people as well as groups to flourish by giving an approved and organized methodology aligned with every user’s special characteristics and traits. Coaching Country Navigator gives profoundly individualized training support which is intended to help representatives exploring social issues and difficulties in the work environment. The mentors of Country Navigator are social specialists and prepared business experts, 100% concentrated on addressing the requirements of people, families and little gatherings requiring backing and direction through their learning tenure. Meetings can be conveyed on a one-off premise or as a feature of a long run performance plan, addressing the requirements of people, groups, pioneers and expats. They are conveyed on one-on-one basis or remotely by means of innovation (Effective learning toolsfor developing cultural understanding,2020). The length of each training arrangement is dependent upon the needs of every employee pertinent to Bentley Motors. 9
Country guides and flight packs The countryguidespresentwithin theCountry Navigatorwillprovide assistanceto the management of Bentley Motors in informing the employees about the culture as well as the working pattern of Spain. The pattern and behavioural conduct of individuals in the new country is quite different from that within the domestic country, UK, thus making it essential and obviated to equip the employees with knowledge of the differences underlying between the national cultures. Mobile Learning In the present day in and day out working environment, getting the correct guidance at that point and spot of need is quite important. With moment access to nation guides, flight packs and internet learning ways, Country Navigator mobile users, that is, the employees of Bentley Motors have a cultural master in their pocket prepared to give without a moment to spare, learning support as and when the staff members are in need of it (Effective learning toolsfor developing cultural understanding,2020). Virtual Classroom Country Navigator's virtual study rooms give a constant, intuitive experience for up to 16 members. Bigger, live web based learning occasions can likewise be given as Webinar, MOOC, e-conference, etc. All of this will provide comprehensive knowledge to the employee base of Bentley Motors regarding the culture of Spain and the differences underlying between that and the domestic culture. Face to Face Training The exceptionally qualified and experienced personnel comprehend the diverse difficulties organizations encounter in today’s corporate landscape. They convey indulging and effective learning encounters that are bolstered by pragmatic experience and business bits of knowledge. Thus, Bentley Motors will leverage the expertise of facilitators and experts of Country Navigator to attain fruitful outcomes (Effective learning toolsfor developing cultural understanding,2020). All of the above described tools will collaboratively provide due assistance to the personnel pertinent to Bentley Motors in operating in an effective manner while expanding to a new market, Spain. Through this, the employees will be able to adjust to different ways of 10
working in every cultural context. This will ensure an optimum fit between the group of employees working in domestic and global context (Hereby- Spain). CONCLUSION It has been inferred that over the course of time, the notion of cross culture has become crucial, especially in the wake of globalisation being at the forefront of the commercial sector. Further, it has been analysed that an important aspect of cross culture is regarded to be communication which is concerned with setting interaction with people from different national backgrounds by exhibiting cultural sensitivity at all times. At times, non verbal cues such as hand movements, gestures, postures, body language, eye contact, shoulder shrugging, etc. are also put to use by individuals when there is no common language between them to set communication in an effective manner. 11
Secure Best Marks with AI Grader
Need help grading? Try our AI Grader for instant feedback on your assignments.
REFERENCES Books and Journals French, R., 2015.Cross-cultural management in work organisations. Kogan Page Publishers. Gehrke,B.andClaes,M.T.eds.,2014.Globalleadershippractices:Across-cultural management perspective. Macmillan International Higher Education. Johnson, J. L. and Cullen, J. B., 2017. Trust in cross‐cultural relationships.The Blackwell Handbook of Cross ‐Cultural Management, pp.335-360. Moore, F., 2015. An unsuitable job for a woman: a ‘native category’approach to gender, diversity and cross-cultural management.The International Journal of Human Resource Management.26(2). pp.216-230. Patel, T., 2013.Cross-cultural Management: A transactional approach. Routledge. Thomas, D. C. and Peterson, M. F., 2016.Cross-cultural management: Essential concepts. Sage Publications. Thomas, D. C., 2015. Cultural intelligence.Wiley Encyclopedia of Management, pp.1-3. Tran, B., 2016. Communication (intercultural and multicultural) at play for cross cultural management within multinational corporations (MNCs). InHandbook of research on impacts of international business and political affairs on the global economy(pp. 62-92). IGI Global. d'Iribarne, P., Chevrier, S., Henry, A., Segal, J.P. and Tréguer-Felten, G., 2020.Cross-Cultural Management Revisited: A Qualitative Approach. Oxford University Press. Sackmann, S.A., 2020. Culture in Cross-Cultural Management: Its Seminal Contributors from a Positivist.The SAGE Handbook of Contemporary Cross-Cultural Management, p.17. Tietze, S. and Piekkari, R., 2019. Languages and Cross-Cultural Management. Fischer, R. and Karl, J.A., 2020. Experimental Methods in Cross-Cultural Management.The SAGE Handbook of Contemporary Cross-Cultural Management, p.111. Romani,L.,Mahadevan,J.andPrimecz,H.,2020.Methodsofcriticalcross-cultural management.SAGE Handbook of Cross-Cultural Management. London: SAGE, pp.141- 155. Romani, L. and Holgersson, C., 2020. Cross-Cultural and Diversity Management Intersecting in Global Diversity Management: Tensions and Opportunities.The SAGE Handbook of Contemporary Cross-Cultural Management, p.255. Online MarketingAcrossFourthEditionCultures.2020.[Online].AvailableThrough: <http://docshare02.docshare.tips/files/14136/141360244.pdf>. TheWorldprismmodelofculturaldifferences.2020.[Online].AvailableThrough: <https://countrynavigator.com/blog/expert-view/worldprism-model-cultural-differences/ >. Effectivelearningtoolsfordevelopingculturalunderstanding.2020.[Online].Available Through:<https://countrynavigator.com/what-we-do/>. 12