Cross Cultural Management: A Comparison of Pakistan and Malaysia Based on Hofstede's Dimensions of Culture

Running Head: CROSS CULTURAL MANAGEMENT 0
CROSS CULTURAL MANAGEMENT
(STUDENT NAME)
10-18-2018

CROSS CULTURAL MANAGEMENT
Abstract
Cross-cultural management is reviewing countrywide culture and then adapts that to
management practices of the organization. The significance of cross-cultural
management is to clinch local culture to make the organization successful in the
international market. The Hofstede’s dimension of culture, this theory will be the base
for contrast and comparison of culture of Pakistan and Malaysia. From this comparison,
it was observed that Malaysia society reflect hierarchical order acceptance, it is a
collectivistic society, its society reflects normative culture, the society has less
preference for uncertainty avoidance, and culture is indulgence of the nation. Whereas,
the Pakistan culture indicates no clear preference in dimension of power distance index,
Long-Term Orientation versus Short-Term Normative Orientation, the society is
collectivism, uncertainty avoidance is very high, and culture reflects highly restrained
society. Moreover, both the societies are a combination of toughness and tenderness.
A fast food chain of Malaysia that is “Marrybrown” to expand its business in Pakistan
needs to introduce product as per the local culture of the host country. The three
suggested products are fried chicken and burgers, deserts, and biryani with a traditional
and western fusion.
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CROSS CULTURAL MANAGEMENT
Contents
Abstract............................................................................................................................ 1
Introduction...................................................................................................................... 4
Hofstede’s Dimensions of culture.....................................................................................5
Six models of Hofstede’s Dimensions of culture and cultural difference..........................5
1. Power distance index..........................................................................................5
Malaysia....................................................................................................................5
Pakistan.................................................................................................................... 5
2. Masculinity versus femininity...............................................................................5
Malaysia....................................................................................................................6
Pakistan.................................................................................................................... 6
3. Individualism versus collectivism........................................................................6
Malaysia....................................................................................................................6
Pakistan.................................................................................................................... 6
4. Long-Term Orientation versus Short-Term Normative Orientation.....................6
Malaysia....................................................................................................................7
Pakistan.................................................................................................................... 7
5. Uncertainty avoidance index...............................................................................7
Malaysia....................................................................................................................7
Pakistan.................................................................................................................... 7
6. Indulgence versus Restraint................................................................................8
Malaysia....................................................................................................................8
Pakistan.................................................................................................................... 8
Comparative data of Malaysia and Pakistan based on Hofstede’s culture theories
dimensions:...............................................................................................................9
Malaysian organization to expand in Pakistan.................................................................9
Marrybrown...................................................................................................................9
Products..................................................................................................................10
Conclusion..................................................................................................................... 12
References.....................................................................................................................13
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CROSS CULTURAL MANAGEMENT
Introduction
Cross-cultural management is one of the method of management to embrace the native
culture. Cross-cultural management in international business seeks to understand the
countrywide cultures influence management practices. It recognizes differences and
similarities in culture in several practices of management and organizational context
(Stahl & Tung, 2015). Cross-cultural management is an important aspect that enhances
effectiveness in global management. People behaviors, attitude, and values are formed
through the culture they follow, which will affect managerial decisions while conducting
an operation or expanding organization in the international market. The purpose of
cross-cultural management is to create feasible structures of organization and
mechanism of management in several forms of cultural environment (Bird &
Mendenhall, 2016).
For this research, the target country selected is Pakistan. In this report, utilizing
Hofstede’s dimensions of culture, the differences between Pakistan and Malaysia
culture will be elaborated. For which understanding of Hofstede’s Dimensions of culture
will be included. Moreover, the comparison will be based on qualitative and quantitative
factors. The Malaysian organization that is, Marrybrown, need to expand their business
to Pakistan, for that the product localizations is required by the companies to fit into the
market of Pakistan will be discussed in this report.
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