Case Study on Euro Disneyland Cultural Differences - Desklib
Added on 2020-05-16
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Running head: EURO DISNEY CASE STUDY – CULTURAL DIFFERENCESEuro Disneyland Case Study – Cultural DifferencesName of the UniversityName of the StudentAuthor Note
1EURO DISNEYLAND CASE STUDY – CULTURAL DIFFERENCESTable of ContentsQuestion 1: Using Hofstede’s four cultural dimensions as a point of reference, what are some ofthe main cultural differences between the United States and France?............................................2Power Distance Index:.................................................................................................................2Individualism versus collectivism:..............................................................................................3Uncertainty avoidance:................................................................................................................3Masculinity versus femininity:....................................................................................................3Question 2- In what way has Trompenaar’s research helped explain cultural differences betweenthe United States and France?..........................................................................................................4Universalism versus Particularism:.............................................................................................4Individualism versus Communitarianism:...................................................................................4Achievement versus Ascription:..................................................................................................5Question 3- In managing its Euro Disneyland operations, what are three mistakes that thecompany made? Explain..................................................................................................................6Question 4- Based on its experience, what are three lessons the company should have learnedabout how to deal with diversity? Describe each............................................................................7References:....................................................................................................................................10
2EURO DISNEYLAND CASE STUDY – CULTURAL DIFFERENCESQuestion 1: Using Hofstede’s four cultural dimensions as a point of reference, what are some of the main cultural differences between the United States and France?A better understanding of the dissimilarities between the culture of the United States andFrance can be formed by using Hofstede’s four cultural dimensions. A social psychologist,Geert Hofstede hailed from Netherlands and formulated the cultural dimensions theory duringthe late years of the 20th century (Glover, Friedman and van Driel 2016). He devised sixdimensions that define the basic differences between cultures of different countries. Theseincluded, power distance index, individualism, uncertainty avoidance, long-term orientationversus short-term orientation, masculinity versus femininity and indulgence versus restraint. In order to answer the question, four dimensions shall be explained to determine Franceand America’s cultural differences. Power Distance Index: It is defined as the level of expectation and acceptance ofunequal power distribution by the less powerful individuals, institutions or organizations. Francescores quite high on this index as it demonstrates traits of accepting leadership withoutquestioning. This acceptance signifies that the French society finds no issues in acceptingunequal distribution of power. Within the economic spheres, this unequal distribution of powerand its unquestionable acceptance is clearly visible. The case of Euro Disneyland presents a goodexample (Luthans and Doh 2009). When Euro Disneyland was opened at France, most of thehigher posts in the management were held by Americans and the French officials just worked astheir subordinates but they never protested. The US, on the other hand, displays a significantopposition to inequality. The American culture upholds the notion that every individual has equalrights of liberty and justice. Power, when sensed being distributed unequally is duly protested
3EURO DISNEYLAND CASE STUDY – CULTURAL DIFFERENCESand disallowed to form. Managers holding high ranks are accessible and accountable toemployees working in lower positions (Zander, McDougall-Covin and Rose 2015). Individualism versus collectivism: Countries with high scores of individualism stress onthe importance of self-dependence and individual freedom. In this regard, the French culturescores slightly low compared to the US culture. However, there is not much of a glaringdifference between the two countries in this index as both cultures uphold collectivism. Childrenin France are brought up in a way that makes them independent emotionally. They are taught tocare only for themselves and their immediate family members (Fitzsimmons and Stamper 2014).Thus, when the US officials of Euro Disney prepared the dress code for its French employees,many treated as a violation of their individual rights. In America, this index is higher than theFrench that shows the importance individualism is given by the people. Uncertainty avoidance: This dimension explains the acceptance of ambiguity bysocieties. The French society scores very high on this index. People in France detest surprisesand ambiguous ideas, they believe more in structuring and planning. Hence, when the Americanconcept of Disneyland was established in France, people there were reluctant to receive andenjoy it. The below average turnout on the opening day stands testimony to it. America, on thecontrary, is open to new ideas and surprises (Warkentin, Charles-Pauvers and Chau 2015). TheAmerican culture is welcoming as far as trying something new and innovative is concerned. Thisleads to a low score in the UAI index for the American culture. Masculinity versus femininity: This indicates the factor that drives societies to becompetitive, craving for success and achievement and being the best in every field. Scoring highon masculinity means that the society is more concerned about competition, achievements and
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