Arden University BUS5001: Managing Across Cultures - Global Report

This report explores the relevance and importance of understanding national culture in international management, focusing on cultural differences in leadership, motivation, communication, negotiation, and decision-making. It emphasizes the growing interdependence of the world economy and the need for businesses like TESCO to adapt to diverse cultural backgrounds. The report assesses how understanding national culture supports managers in leading global virtual teams, highlighting strategies such as scheduling regular meetings and establishing multiple communication tools. It also discusses the importance of better communication, understanding customer needs, minimizing conflicts, and ensuring smooth operations through knowledge of international laws and legislation. The document is available on Desklib, a platform offering study tools and resources for students.

Managing Across
Cultures

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................3
Discuss and evaluate the relevance and importance of understanding national culture in the
context of international management.....................................................................................3
Explore the notion of cultural differences in relation to: leadership, motivation,
communication, negotiation and decision making.................................................................9
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................13
REFERENCES:.............................................................................................................................14
Books and Journals...............................................................................................................14

INTRODUCTION
Globalization can be understood as the growing inter dependence of the world economy
that includes cross border trade of goods and services. It helps to contribute to world economy
and maintain different cultures with the help of technology and people. There are regular updates
in the business environment and due to which the companies have started their work across the
borders. International business provides sample number of opportunities to the business
organisations that help them to carry on their business in effective manner (Yang-Ngam,
Chankoson and Aodton, 2019). There is need of proper resorts regarding the country where the
business organisations want to enhance their operations. There is key role of employees in caring
the work in the company. So the inter culture management is the study of different cultures that
help to provide effective working environment to the employees so that they are able to work
comfortably in the organisation and with proper efficiency. This report is based on inter culture
management in TESCO. It is a British multinational organisation that has its headquarters in
Welwyn Garden City, England. It was established in 1919 and is ninth largest in the world
measured by net revenue. There is analysis regarding the understanding of national culture in the
context of international management. There are certain implications that must be supported by
the managers in order to develop the team that provide affective working environment to the
employees. The use of different inter cultural theories is used in the report so that the companies
able to understand the process of managing the employees. Some factors such as leadership
motivation communication and decision making play a white and role in integral management so
proper valuation regarding them is done in the end of this report.
MAIN BODY
Discuss and evaluate the relevance and importance of understanding national culture in the
context of international management.
National culture is the term that is being used to describe the group of people who belong
to one country. These people share similar kind of norms, values, expectations and are able to
work with each other effectively. All of the employees have same language and that is the reason
there are less barriers in work (Rizvi and Garg, 2022). The working environment is stable and
that helps them to carry on the work effectively. There are regular changes in the market and
there is need of knowing about the culture followed in international market. There is key role of

managing the work in inter cultural management that helps them to enhance their operation. It is
seen that effective decision making is necessary for success of the business. It is important for
TESCO to formulate strategies to enhance their operations in several parts of world. In today's
environment, it becomes necessary for an organisation that they need to understand the
importance of inter culture management as day by day the globalisation impact is increasing.
Due to the international trade, it is identified that companies are facing challenges in culture
management as they are interacting with many different cultural backgrounds. Due to this, they
are unable to understand the cultures.
It will result in not achieving of goals and objectives of the company. Inter culture
management is one of the best ways to understand and respect other cultures which helps to
manage the conflicts occurred due to inter culture. It is identified that every day the importance
of inter culture management is increasing and the company should apply it in the organisation for
achieving its goals and objectives. It is identified that inter culture management is not an easy
process to understand as all the employees have different types of the background of people
which is a complicated task for the company (Vijayakumar, Morley and Heraty, 2021). But still,
the company needs to understand how they will work in inter culture management as their work
and different countries and cultures. Inter culture management is found to open the conversation
related to the culture and understanding the different behaviour and attitude of people. There is
need of understanding the culture of the place in such a manner that they are able to manage the
operations. TESCO always conducts research that makes the operations of the company
effective. The importance of studying the cross culture is as follows:
Better communication: There is key role of communication in order to carry on the
business operations in proper manner. The company must know about the situation that is
followed in the international market. In order to enhance the operations, the better
communication is must (Men and Yue, 2019). In multi cultural management the employees are
provided with proper training so that they are able to communicate effectively and carry on the
operations. It has a company to build relations with all the stakeholders and no about the nation
once of communications effectively. There is requirement of language effectiveness in order to
build good relations with the customers and make their work easy.
Understanding the needs and wants of customers: Customer plays a key role in the
business. While expanding the business the company needs to analyse the requirements of the

customers show that they are able to attain success. By studying the international market TESCO
is able to know about the features that the customers want in their business. The company make
changes according to the requirements of the customers and then use promotional techniques to
reach the customers. There is different policy of promotion used in every country. By studying
the inter cultural management is able to attain a successful position in the market and create good
impact on the customers.
Less chances of conflicts: If the employees are unable to contact with each other than the
chances of conflict enhance. There is need of providing effective working environment to the
employees (Chebbi and et.al., 2020). In TESCO the major work is create a proper working for
the employees. The employees are given chances of decision making and they are able to work
properly. It is necessary to solve the conflicts of the employees and the work on solving them.
They must be provided the culture where every one works properly and is able to manage the
culture of the company.
Smooth operations: By knowing about the laws and legislation of the international market
the business organisation they are able to work effectively. Whenever the company plans to
expand the operations then they must analyse the situation of the international market. There is
need of conducting proper research then they are able to operate smoothly. They must assure that
they take care of political condition so that company is able to work effectively. At the same
time, there is requirement of knowing the national and international laws as it helps them to
operate effectively. TESCO has effective brand image in the market that helps them to enhance
the operations in the market.
There is need of managing the work in such a manner that the company is able to expand
their operations. The company must study the condition of the international market then they are
able to work effectively. There is key role of carrying research that will make them effective
player in market. The term "national culture" is used to define a group of individuals who are all
citizens of the same country (Hanifah and et.al., 2019). These individuals have comparable
norms, values, and expectations and can effectively collaborate with one another. Because all of
the employees speak the same language, there are less barriers at work. The working atmosphere
is stable, which allows them to do their tasks efficiently. Assess the implications of this
understanding in supporting managers in successfully managing global virtual teams in particular
in the international environment.1250

Cross culture is a key point in the business as it refers to the study of various cultures in
and effectively interacting with the people from other backgrounds. It helps the business to find
the differences among the different nations. This helps the business to carry out the business
globally that helps in expanding the operations of the business (Michaelis, Aladin and Pollack,
2018). It is very important for the businesses to critically about the various cultures of the
different countries in order to globalise the business. This concept is used by various companies
who wants to expand their business in the global market. They trained their employees and
managers that how to lead the operations of the business with the people of different countries.
This facilitate them to easily communicate with the people of various cultures. TESCO is well
established brand that are present in the global market. It is one of the largest brand that are
present in the market. They critically analyses the culture of various countries which facilitates
them to find the needs and wants of the consumers of the particular country. They carries huge
research and development program in order to find out the new trends and preferences in the
national as well as in the international market. This helps them to provide the products and
services with the full efficiency. Management of the virtual teams in the international market is
very challenging for the managers and leaders. Virtual environment is continuously growing in
the market and it provides very convenience to the employees of the business. As employees
don't have the pressure to come to the organisation in order to perform their job as they can do
the work form their home which provides relaxation in the working environment. Managers and
leader plays an important role while leading the the task with the virtual teams. They have to be
very skilled and professionals which helps them to communicate and motivate the people of
different culture. But sometimes managers find difficulty in carry out the operations as they work
with the people of different countries which arises the problem of time zone, trade barriers, lack
of trust. These all points can delays the operations of the business which leads to decreasing the
value of the business in the international market. There are some points that can help the
managers and leaders to make effective strategies for carrying out the work and manage the
business in international market :
Schedule regular meetings
Managers should carries out the regular meeting with the virtual teams who are working
in the organisation. This will help them the managers in easy understanding of the problems and
suggestions of the employees which helps in enhancing the productivity of the work. Regular

meetings allows the business to analyse the report of the business on a regular basis. Through
video call meetings employees can make a friendly relations with each other that will increase
their motivation towards the work (Sarwar and et.al., 2020). TESCO regularly conducts the
meeting with their virtual teams that are present in the global market. This helps them in
reducing the work pressure from the employees as various new methods of production can be
discussed through video calls. By working in the meeting the company is able to manage the
work effectively.
Establish multiple communication tools
Communication tools are the important part of the global business. Managers of the
business should use the effective communication tools that helps the virtual teams of the
company to communicate with each other easily (Dowsett and Fromm, 2020). There are various
tools that business can use in the communication process that are as call recordings, video calls,
conference calls etc. This helps the business to establish feeling of the togetherness in the
employees of different countries in the business. TESCO is operating the business all over the
globe. Managers and the leaders of the company uses effective tools for communication that
helps them in better understanding the ideas and views of employees. They mainly uses the
conference calls for their communication this facilitate the managers to talk to different
employees at one time.
Hofstede's Cultural Dimensions theory:
This theory was developed by Geert Hofstede that was developed in 1980. It is a
framework that is used to analyses the different cultures across the countries. This also facilitates
the businesses that how to conduct business in the international market. This model emphasises
on that how the society value its people (Goslin and Kluka, 2020). This model was first
developed to find out the work and the value of the employees but after that it was applied to
examine the culture of the people of different countries. This theory is based on the various
cultural preferences and taste. Hofstede's cultural dimensions theory in relation to TESCO are as
follows:
Power distance Index:
This index is means the power and inequality are acceptable and tolerated. In a country
high power index shows that the power and the inequality are accepted. This shows that the
rights and powers are enjoyed by the people who have the rank and authority (Watkins, Bonomo

and Rello, 2022). Low power index of a country shows that there is equal distribution of powers
and authority. In regards of TESCO the power index of the UK and INDIA shows that INDIA
has more power than the UK.
Individualism vs. collectivism:
This part of the model describes that how the people of various cultures and society come
into groups to perform the particular task. Individualism focuses on to accomplishing the
personal goals of an individual (Desai, Shook and Giordano, 2022). Collectivism can be defined
as achieving the target and the goal of organisation with the group. In relation to TESCO the
index of UK and INDIA, UK's index is higher than the index of INDIA.
Uncertainty Avoidance Index:
Uncertainty avoidance index means that the unexpected incidents and uncertainty that
occurs in the business which can be tolerated. High uncertainty avoidance index has a low
capacity tolerate the uncertainties and risk and low index has a high capacity to deal with the
uncertainties, risks and the unexpected events. By comparing this index of INDIA and UK in
regards to TESCO, INDIA have high uncertainty avoidance than UK.
Masculinity vs. femininity:
This index can be defined as to whom the more preference if given in the society whether
to the males or to the females. This index shows the attitudes of the society towards the sexuality
equality and the behaviour (Cunningham, Simmons and Mascarenhas, 2018). Masculinity have
various characteristics as they are more concentrated and wealth building. Femininity comes up
with the various characteristics like modest in nature and nurturing. In relation to the TESCO,
UK have high masculinity index rather than INDIA.
Long term orientation vs. Short term orientation:
This index focuses on the society that how they views and see its time horizon. Long
term orientation is carried out in the organisation in order to get the long-term success. It focuses
on the elements like persistence, long-term growth and perseverance. Short-term orientation
focuses on the present goals of the organisation than the future (de Aquino and Robertson,
2018). By comparing this index of INDIA and UK TESCO consider the long term orientation for
both the country.
Indulgence vs. restraint:

This index focuses on to fulfil the needs and desires of a society. This index tells that how
the people in the society can control their needs and wants. Indulgence shows that how the
society fulfil their needs by freely enjoying and having fun in their life (Felce, 2019). Restraints
focus on that how the society creates a barrier for them while satisfying their needs through
various social guidelines. In this index the comparison of the UK and INDIA, UK have more
impact than the INDIA in relation to TESCO.
From the above model it can be evaluated that there are various indexes which affects the
business of the organisation. UK and INDIA have difference in the above indexes through which
it becomes hard for TESCO's managers to carry out the operations of the business in the
organisation. TESCO managers find difficulty in connecting with the various virtual teams of
both the countries which delays the work of the company. It is necessary to know about the
culture of different nations. Emphasis is on studying the degree of difference in both the culture
so that effective decisions can be taken. All the business organisations must keep checking the
record of the nation.
Explore the notion of cultural differences in relation to: leadership, motivation, communication,
negotiation and decision making.
Cross culture is a concept which helps the organisation to understand the differences
among various chains in the management. The main focus of the cross culture is follow the
ethnicities and bridge them accordingly(Weber, Sadri, and Gentry, 2018). On the other hand to
understand the culture effectively. The management has to deal with various people which had
different cultures. Managers had to communicate effectively to manage different levels in the
organisation.
Kluckhohn & Strodbeck's Cultural dimensions:
This theory shows that the human manner is further divided into various dimensions. For
example it is mix of good and bad behaviours. On the other hand, there are different person
which does not take the decisions effectively. They posses this skill after some experience. There
are several which the individual could use to manage people of different culture. This theory is
developed in 1961. It includes various orientations human nature, relationship of human kind etc.
This theory is further divided into a set of six cultural dimensions which are described
below:

 Relationship to Nature – This cultural dimension suggests that there is relationship
among various individuals in the workplace. The relationship between different person
creates a bond which help the individual to work with a positive mindset in the
organisation. Positive nature and attitude is the main factor which attracts various person.
The individual has to create a balance between both factors which help them to make a
healthy work environment. Communication play a major role in to maintain harmony and
peace with other workers in the company. With proper communication the individual
could share various ideas with the management. The ideas could help the company to
generate more revenues in the market.
 Beliefs about Human Nature – This dimensions suggests that people could be good or
evil. This nature of human beings depends upon various situations. The person might
show the evil side when there is lot of pressure in the workplace. On the other hand, the
person embrace good side when the individual is happy. The main aspect which embrace
this side is decision making capability of person. If the individual is clear with their
thoughts and decision making skill (Berry, 2019). They could handle various difficult
situations effectively in the organisation. Then, the nature of the person will become
positive they also tend to create a healthy working environment.
 Relationship between people – This cultural dimension suggests that relationship is the
most common factor which drives the individual to work effectively. The individualist
person only thinks about the family and ourself. On the other hand, the person if the
person thinks about a group then it will be called as security. The person only works for
the family to make their life more easier (Obiria, 2020). In the workplace the individual
has to think about other employees to make them more productive. This embrace the
quality of an leadership which helps the organisation to generate more revenues in the
market. Leadership thinks about their employees and create a healthy working
environment to make them more effective for the company.
 Nature of Human Activity – This cultural dimension suggests that the person has to
work with the free mind to achieve the inherent goals and objectives in their life
effectively. The nature of every individual change with different situations depending on
their work and family life. Positive nature of human beings helps the individual to create
a healthy relationship with other colleagues in the workplace. Communication plays an

effective role from which the individual could tell about feelings. On the other hand, the
management could understand different things about the person with effective
communication (Ting-Toomey, and Dorjee, 2018). The person could work effectively
with positive mindset. They maximize their efforts in the workplace which is beneficial
for the company. There is no inherent goals for certain individuals which could become a
big problem for them. They could nee see an efficient growth in life.
 Concept of Space – This cultural dimension suggests that the individual needs space to
make different valuable about life. On the other hand the person could focus on the goal
and objectives which must be achieved in future. Concept of space has a broad scope in
the life of a human being. This embrace the quality of decision making which helps the
individual to take various important decisions in their life. Effective decision helps the
person to find various job and business business opportunities in the future. The main
motive of concept of space is to find a necessary solutions of the problems. Leadership is
also an factor which needs the concept of space. To think effectively in the workplace the
leader has to create a potential space to take the important decisions. These decisions
measures the success and failure outcome of a organisation
 Orientation to time – This cultural dimensions suggests that the individual has to take
decisions by relieving the past events and fit them accordingly to the future. On the other
hand, orientation of time is an cognitive process. It provides a systematic framework for
organising the personal experience of the individual. This particular dimension embrace
the quality of negotiation (Lewis, 2018). For example to crack a important project the
person has to negotiate with other clients in order to get a deal. The person has to make
the decisions by thinking the future outcomes. This is the most important concept which
helps the individual to take valuable decisions by judging the past. This dimension shows
the mindset and approach of a person towards a decision which could be important at
different levels. Negotiation is a skill which only shines when the individual is thinking
effectively.
By working effectively in team the overall work can be managed. It is seen that technology
of every nation is different from one another. The TESCO must check the latest technology that
is being used in international market and use the same in order to work effectively there in. They
must analyse the relation build with the employee so that all the people work together effectively

and carry on success in the business organisation. The key factors are communication as it makes
the work smoothly and with proper working. There is need of proper leadership so that direction
is provided to the employees of the company and they are able to carry on the overall work.