Cross Cultural Management: Understanding Hofstede Theory and Communication Barriers

This project report discusses the importance of culture in business management and how to eliminate communication barriers in Cross Cultural Management. It covers Hofstede Theory and its six categories that define culture. It also discusses communication barriers and negotiation in cross culture. The reliability of sources is evaluated using CRAAP model.

Cross Cultural
Management

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION ..........................................................................................................................3
TASK ..............................................................................................................................................3
Hofstede Theory..........................................................................................................................3
Task 2..........................................................................................................................................5
Communication and Negotiation................................................................................................5
Negotiation..................................................................................................................................6
CONCLUSION .............................................................................................................................11
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................13

INTRODUCTION
Every business organisation have different set of culture that defines what you do and
how you do at the workplace. It may be referred as the sum total of all informal systems and
values that creates an experience for both employees and customers. Culture acts as the
constraint of the actions of workforce. It is needed to understand the culture in order to manage
the organisation effectively. By managing positive culture business attract the new professionals
along with retaining the existing employees. Cross culture may be describes as a concept that
recognise the difference between people of different background, nation and ethnicities and is
needed to bring bridging them in order to attain organisational goals (O’Rourke, 2019). It helps
in improving the communication between individuals of different culture and nation. This
project report will cover the research ability of cross cultural in reflective away along with opting
the required theories. Further it will also cover an incident of self experience where cultural
theory helped to understand the ongoing thing.
TASK
Hofstede Theory
This theory is most comprehensive study about the values at the workplace and defines
how they are influenced by different cultures. This theory was propounded by Geert Hofstede in
1980. It is the framework that is used to distinguish between various national cultures and their
dimensions in order to assess their impact on setting up of business (Whiting, 2017). The main
aim is to understand and determine the dimensions in which the culture varies. There are six
cateogries defines culture.
 Power distance Index – I have consider that it is the extent to which power and
inequality are tolerated. High power distance indicates that the culture accept the power
difference and inequity whereas low power distance indicates that culture tries to
encourage organisational structure.
 Individualism – According to me it indicates the degree of societies that are integrated
into groups and rely on dependence on groups. Individualism creates a self image of a
person as “I” whereas in case of individualism it creates in “We” category.
 Uncertainty - In this module I have come to know about the extent to which ambiguity
and uncertainties are tolerated. Also I have learnt how to deal with such uncertainties. I

have. I have learned that unknown ambiguity can be minimised by formulating strict
rules and regulations.
 Masculinity – This module provides me with knowledge about masculinity and
femininity and can be referred as “tough versus tender”. Masculinity comes up with
various characteristics such as distinct gender roles and assertive along with
concentrating on building wealth and material achievement (Holliday, 2020). On the
other hand, femininity comes up with fluid roles such as modesty and concerned with
quality of life.
 Long term orientation – This helps me in getting an insight understanding of the extent
to which society views in its time horizon. I have come to know about the long term
orientation that it involves in delaying the short term success and focus on achieving
long term success. Whereas short term orientation focus on delivering short terms
success. This help in focusing on both long term and short term goals.
 Indulgence – It helps me in knowing how the societies control their desires and impulses.
Indulgence refers to the society that enjoys and having fun in gratification.
From the above theory I have learnt so many new things and allows me in various decision
making in my personal life. Earlier I was not aware about the culture but after completing this
module I got the understanding of importance of culture in an organisation. This theory helps me
in understanding the value and how they can influence the business. Before taking this module I
was not setting any goals but later I got the importance of setting up of goals that increases my
productivity in my studies. Culture plays an important role in decision making. While I was
studying I was facing many difficulties in understanding the national culture but my seniors and
teacher helps me in solving my confusion. I took the help of various articles relates to this topic
which provides me with feasible solution. I was having fear as this topic was new for me but by
the help of my teachers and colleagues made me confident. I have also enhanced my team skill
building skills and presentation skills as my peers regularly measures and evaluates my
performance and provide with feedback so that I can improve my errors. Me and my friends
conducted group studies that allows everyone to share their academic issues and they can be
sorted by the seniors or by other friends. It creates self confidence and communication skill of
public speaking. I have found this module very knowledgable and interesting as I have got the

opportunity of understanding the different culture that would helps me in my future professional
career.
Task 2
In order to maintain an effective management system in an organisation, it needed to
optimally usage of workforce along with other resources. Employees in an organisation have
different background, tradition, beliefs and value that creates a barrier in the success of
organisation. The company should analyse and should create a bridge that connect various
employees of different organisation. The topic that is chosen in this project report is
Communication and Negotiation.
Communication and Negotiation
Communication may be defined as the process of sharing one's views and thoughts with
the help of communicational channel to other person (Mead and Jones,, 2017). The channel of
communication should be opt wisely as the message cannot be conveyed accurately by different
medium. In case of cross culture, it is the major problem that arise during communication with
the individual of different nation and speaks different language. There are many barriers in
communicating with other individual. The barriers may be occurred due to misunderstanding or
by assuming similarity instead of difference. Many people make their decision based on their
own perception and behaviour. In cross culture, many people are unable to understand the
message due to language indifference and message become ineffective. Based on the observation
people make their decisions and hatred about a particular race or religion may also create
obstacle (Jain and Jain, 2018). Some people use more words to convey their thoughts or
message while other use short and concise. Following are some barriers of communication.
 Anxiety – It may not be an unusual experience of communicating with different
individuals of different culture. It may be as the same feeling as doing or saying wrong.
It is an awkward feeling and may loose the opportunities for intercultural
communication.
 Assumption of Similarities – This is the most common barrier as it is the human
tendency to think other same as alike. People thinks that other individuals are also
similar to them. Various culture have different values and people thinks similar to their
nation. An individual may encounter offended by misinterpretation the message. There

are differences in every culture that an individual is not even aware of it. So it is very
important to avoid interpreting the message through own cultural lens.
 Stereotypes – These are referred as the oversimplified ideas of different group of
people. It can be based on religion, age, gender, race or on any other characteristic
(Tekeş and et.al., 2019J). People perceive from their opinion either in positive or
negative. People have different tendencies and treat people of different culture in various
ways.
 Ethnocentrism – The individual believes that their culture is superior than others or
judging the people inferior. This may lead to arise in conflict between individuals as both
thinks their culture superior.
Negotiation
It may be referred as the discussion of various common and conflicting issues between
individuals of different background who are working on mutual benefit (Tam and Chan,2017).
This barrier may be resolved by understanding the blind spots and identify the cultural along
with opting the negotiation theory.
The article related to this topic can be found on internet and in books. The reliability can
be found by using CRAAP model. This model helps in testing the reliability of the article. This
model is discussed below.
Source Currency Relevance Authority Accuracy Purpose
O’Rourke,
J.S.,
2019. Manage
ment
communicatio
n: A case
analysis
approach.
Routledge.
It was written
in 2019
It is very
useful
The author is
O'Rourke
This journal is
highly
accurate
To provide the
definition of
communicatio
n
Holliday, A.,
2020. Culture,
In 2019 It was found
relevant to
Holliday Accurate To define the
importance of

communicatio
n, context, and
power. The
Routledge
handbook of
language and
intercultural
communicatio
n, pp.39-54.
topic communicatio
n
Whiting, B.,
2017. The
problem of the
packaged
variable.
In The
developing
individual in a
changing
world (pp.
303-309).
Routledge.
In 2019 It was found
nearly relevant
to topic.
Whiting Nearly
accurate
To define the
cross culture
Mead, R. and
Jones, C.J.,
2017. Cross‐
cultural
communicatio
n. The
Blackwell
Handbook of
Cross‐
In 2017 It was found
highly relevant
Mean and
Jones
Highly
accurate
To define
cultural
communicatio
n

Cultural
Management,
pp.283-291.
Tam, K.P. and
Chan, H.W.,
2017.
Environmental
concern has a
weaker
association
with pro-
environmental
behavior in
some societies
than others: A
cross-cultural
psychology
perspective. Jo
urnal of
Environmental
Psychology, 5
3, pp.213-223.
In 2017 Relevant in
understanding
the societies
and
environment.
Tam and Chan Highly
accurate as it
defines the
barriers of
communicatio
n.
To understand
the different
communicatio
nal barriers.
Minkov, M.
and Kaasa, A.,
2020. A test of
Hofstede's
model of
culture
following his
own
In 2017 Highly
relevant in
understanding
dimensions.
Minkov and
Kaasa
Understand
cultural
dimension
To provide
knowledge
about various
cultural
dimensions.

approach. Cro
ss Cultural &
Strategic
Management.
Tekeş, B.,
Üzümcüoğlu,
Y., Hoe, C.
and Özkan, T.,
2019. The
relationship
between
Hofstede’s
cultural
dimensions,
Schwartz’s
cultural
values, and
obesity. Psych
ological
reports, 122(3
), pp.968-987.
In 2019 Relevant in
understanding
individualism
Tekes and
Ozkan
Understanding
of
individualism
Contrast
knowledge
about
individualism
Jain, S.S. and
Jain, S.P.,
2018. Power
distance belief
and preference
for
transparency.
Journal of
Business
In 2018 Highly
relevant
Jain and SP
Jain
Understanding
of power
distance
Defines the
importance of
power distance

Research, 89,
pp.135-Kim,
S., 2017.
National
culture and
public service
motivation:
investigating
the
relationship
using
Hofstede’s
five cultural
dimensions.
International
Review of
Administrative
Sciences,
83(1_suppl),
pp.23-40.142.
Kim, S., 2017.
National
culture and
public service
motivation:
investigating
the
relationship
using
Hofstede’s
five cultural
In 2017 It was nearly
relevant.
Kim Understanding
of national
culture
How national
culture affects
the operations
of
organisation.

dimensions. In
ternational
Review of
Administrative
Sciences, 83(1
_suppl),
pp.23-40.
Felix, R.,
Hinsch, C.,
Rauschnabel,
P.A. and
Schlegelmilch,
B.B., 2018.
Religiousness
and
environmental
concern: A
multilevel and
multi-country
analysis of the
role of life
satisfaction
and
indulgence. Jo
urnal of
Business
Research, 91,
pp.304-312.
In 2018 It was not
much relevant.
Felix To understand
different
religions
Knowledge
about different
religions of
various
countries.

CONCLUSION
From the above project report it was concluded that culture plays an important role in
making effective business management. Many companies are facing intercultural communication
barriers and they are needed to provide with certain training and bring them together and creates
a bridge so that they can be bring together for attaining common goal. For the effective
communication, these barriers should be eliminated by providing feasible solution. Cross culture
creates obstacles in the path of success. For the reliability of the article CRAAP model is used to
evaluate the reliability of different sources. Hofstede theory is very crucial which defines various
cultural dimensions of cross cultural management.

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
O’Rourke, J.S., 2019. Management communication: A case analysis approach. Routledge.
Whiting, B., 2017. The problem of the packaged variable. In The developing individual in a
changing world (pp. 303-309). Routledge.
Holliday, A., 2020. Culture, communication, context, and power. The Routledge handbook of
language and intercultural communication, pp.39-54.
Mead, R. and Jones, C.J., 2017. Cross‐cultural communication. The Blackwell Handbook of
Cross‐Cultural Management, pp.283-291.
Tam, K.P. and Chan, H.W.,2017. Environmental concern has a weaker association with pro-
environmental behavior in some societies than others: A cross-cultural psychology
perspective. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 53, pp.213-223.
Minkov, M. and Kaasa, A., 2020. A test of Hofstede's model of culture following his own
approach. Cross Cultural & Strategic Management.
Tekeş, B.,Üzümcüoğlu, Y., Hoe, C. and Özkan, T., 2019. The relationship between Hofstede’s
cultural dimensions, Schwartz’s cultural values, and obesity. Psychological
reports, 122(3), pp.968-987.
Jain, S.S. and Jain, S.P., 2018. Power distance belief and preference for transparency. Journal
of Business Research, 89, pp.135-Kim, S., 2017. National culture and public service
motivation: investigating the relationship using Hofstede’s five cultural dimensions.
International Review of Administrative Sciences, 83(1_suppl), pp.23-40.142.