Comparative Analysis Report: Australian and UK Cultures Comparison

This report presents a comparative analysis of Australian and UK cultures, focusing on the cultural dimensions outlined by Trompenaars' model. It explores the similarities and differences between the two cultures, examining aspects such as universalism, individualism, and time management. The analysis highlights how these cultural dimensions influence various aspects of life, including lifestyles, organizational schemes, and communication styles. The report also considers the historical context and influences shaping both cultures, such as their shared heritage and evolving relationships with other countries. The study utilizes the Trompenaars model to compare and contrast the cultural values of the two nations, providing valuable insights into their unique characteristics and their impacts on the global business environment. The report is structured to provide a clear understanding of the cultural nuances of both Australia and the UK, supporting the overall objective of understanding cross-cultural management.

Running Head: COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS
COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS
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1COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS
Frame of reference
Trompenaars mentioned in the “cultural value dimensions” seven different
dimensions of any particular culture. The seven different dimensions are – Universalism
versus particularism, individualism versus communitarianism, specific versus diffuse, neutral
versus emotional, Achievement versus ascription, sequential time versus synchronous time,
and Internal direction versus outer direction (Mindtools.com. 2020). On the other hand, the
GLOBE project introduced another set of frameworks for cultural dimension. According to
this, the components of cultural dimensions are similar to that mentioned by Hofstede
(Opentextbc.ca. 2020). These components are – avoidance of uncertainty, power distance,
orientation about the future, assertiveness orientation, institutional, and communal
collectivism. The uniqueness of GLOBE project lies in two original components namely –
performance orientation and human orientation. Hence, this study will compare the native
community of Australia with the community of United Kingdom with due respect to the
cultural dimensions mentioned within the above frameworks. The cultural dimensions made
by the scholars help to analyze both the cultures precisely.
Grounds of comparison
The study will mainly focus on the former concept of cultural dimension made by
Trompenaars. The reason behind selecting this framework is it allows to provide importance
to the concept of cultural difference. The seven dimensions mentioned in this model on the
ground of values of individual person covering the cultures covering the entire world
(Mindtools.com. 2020). The founder of this model value the cultural difference and the
specific reasons behind this. Trompenaars mentioned that every particular cultural has its
own process of thinking and its own values and beliefs and the different place that affects the
cultural difference. On the other hand, the other reason for selecting the model is it provide

2COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS
equal importance to each culture prevalent in the entire world (Mindtools.com. 2020).
However, Shahaeian et al. (2014) mentioned one limitation about this model that is, it does
not provide enough information to measure people’s preference considering each of the
dimensions. The limitation is negligible in comparison to the efficiency of the entire model.
Thesis
This study will compare about the native culture that is the Australian culture with the
community of United Kingdom. Hayward (2016) mentioned that, Australian culture was
initiated as an offshoot of the British culture. However, gradually, Australian began to follow
the US culture more than UK. It was more inspired by the other English-speaking countries
along with the UK. The similarities between the two cultures lies in language, heritage, and
sport especially in playing of rugby and cricket. They exhibit the similar interest for foreign
tour and travel. On the other hand, there are various differences between these two cultures.
Firstly, both the cultures exhibit some guilt conscious of certain snobbery. The British
community view the Australians as containing lesser cultural value on the other hand the
Australians possess the perception that the British are uptight (Lancaster, Duke and Ritter
2015). However, both the places Australia and Britain exhibit multicultural nature containing
rights for all individual irrespective of class, gender, and ethnicity.
Organizational scheme
Shahaeian et al. (2014) mentioned about various differences among both the
Australian and British culture. Firstly, there are remarkable difference of lifestyles between
these two cultures. The heavy and endemic culture of drinking is missing in the lifestyles of
Australia. The corporate culture of Australia is based on mateship and wellness. On the other
hand, the office culture in Britain is focused on competitiveness and productivity. The
lifestyle of Australia is comparatively more laid back than Britain (Lancaster, Duke and

3COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS
Ritter 2015). However, punctuality is considered as polite and humble behavior by both the
cultures. Hayward (2016) mentioned that the two cultures possess different approach for
balancing their work life with personal life. The communication style of both the cultures is
direct. Lancaster, Duke and Ritter (2015) mentioned that, British play with their words and
often communicate with contradictions. To put it simply, it can be said that, they
communicate something while directing something else. The joking in Australian culture
refers as whining poms in British culture. This is the way the two cultures differ from each
other.
Linking
Considering the dimensions mentioned in Trompenaars model both cultures show the
dimension of universalism. Both the cultures acknowledge the importance of laws and rules.
Being multicultural in nature, both the cultures distribute their rules and regulations among
the citizens irrespective of race, background, ethnicity, and age (Mindtools.com. 2020). Both
the cultures of Australia and UK believes in the component of individualism as mentioned in
the model. It refers to having believe in the freedom for every individual being. They provide
equal right for believing in the self and the right to make any decision for the wellbeing of the
self. Both the Australian and UK culture provides the opportunity of autonomy to their
citizens and establish a fruitful connection between individual need with the organizational
requirements. Considering the sixth element of the model, both the cultures exhibit the
feature of sequential time that means time management is an important factor for both the
cultures. Hence, in this way both the cultures are connected with each other with exhibiting
some different characteristic features.

4COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS
References
Mindtools.com. (2020). The Seven Dimensions of Culture: Understanding and Managing
Cultural Differences. Retrieved 31 March 2020, from
https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/seven-dimensions.htm
Rickard, J., 2017. Australia: A cultural history. Monash University Publishing.
Shahaeian, A., Nielsen, M., Peterson, C.C. and Slaughter, V., 2014. Cultural and family
influences on children’s theory of mind development: A comparison of Australian and
Iranian school-age children. Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology, 45(4), pp.555-568.
Hayward, K., 2016. City limits: Crime, consumer culture and the urban experience.
Routledge.
Lancaster, K., Duke, K. and Ritter, A., 2015. Producing the ‘problem of drugs’: A cross
national-comparison of ‘recovery’discourse in two Australian and British
reports. International Journal of Drug Policy, 26(7), pp.617-625.
Opentextbc.ca. (2020). The GLOBE Framework. Retrieved 31 March 2020, from
https://opentextbc.ca/principlesofmanagementopenstax/chapter/the-globe-framework/