Cross-cultural Differences: A Wicked Problem in Global Business

Leadership: The Wicked Problem
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THE WICKED PROBLEM 2
Table of Contents
Executive Summary.........................................................................................................................3
1.0 Introduction................................................................................................................................4
2.0 Description of cross-culture business problem..........................................................................4
3.0 Wicked problem characteristics as applying to cross- culture business problem......................6
4.0 Discussion and Justification that Cross-cultural difference is a wicked problem.....................8
5.0 Application of competing values framework to a wicked problem.........................................10
6.0 The Implication and Interplay of Competing Values..............................................................11
7.0 Discuss potential leadership implications................................................................................13
8.0 Conclusion...............................................................................................................................15
References......................................................................................................................................16

THE WICKED PROBLEM 3
Executive Summary
The expansion of companies across borders makes the global market place small and paves way
for a large business to create more opportunities. As a result, cross-cultural teams become
common which implies that businesses can take advantage of diverse skills and knowledge base
as well as the creation of new perceptive approaches to business difficulties. Irrespective of
these, organizations encounter stumbling blocks owing to cultural differences and this a wicked
problem. Since culture is accepted norms that are shared by people in a society, in international
business it is not the same. It is because the norms of one country are not the same as the norms
of another country. In a global business global leadership is needed where there is a good
working environment, etiquette, good communication, and organization structure assist in the
elimination of the wicked problem by bringing different people of all cultures to understand what
culture is for the benefit of the organization.

THE WICKED PROBLEM 4
1.0 Introduction
Culture differences create cross-cultural challenges where high and low context cultures
differ in the manner of communication. Additionally, trust becomes another challenge and there
can be a task-based or relationship based concept wherein the earlier two parties engage in a
task-oriented relationship while in the former, the parties engage first is creating a relationship of
trust prior to undertaking a business-oriented engagement (Tharp, 2009). Additionally, the
comfort of silence is translated differently across cultures while doing business. In Asian
countries, they tend to be comfortable with silence while on business meetings whereas western
countries are uncomfortable (Csepregi & Pauluzzo, 2017). An example is the business
engagement between Spain and China which occurred in 2011 over a $9.3 billion investment of
which it was later turned down by China after Spain announcing it publicly. The situation could
have been as a result of cultural differences that cause miscommunication, the comfort of silence
or other reasons (Jones, 2012). The challenges as a result of cultural differences lead to
misunderstanding between parties are thus a wicked problem (Kurian, 2015).
2.0 Description of cross-culture business problem
Culture is the most critical factor in global business and is creating a wicked problem and
therefore it is of paramount to examine what culture is. Culture is the way a given society
ascribes to set norms and beliefs as their way of life. It comprises of beliefs, languages,
traditions, values, and customs and gets reflected in history, heritage and how people express
ideas as well as creativity. Additionally, culture acts as a measurement of life as well as the
health of society. People develop a sense of belongingness through culture, intellectual growth as
well as the ability to relate to one another. A good culture that is vibrant creates health, self-