Cross Cultural Management: HRM Practices and Motivation Theories

This report delves into the complexities of cross-cultural management, focusing on HRM practices and employee motivation within an international business context. The assignment analyzes a case study of HG (Hydro Generation), a company facing high employee turnover in Tanzania due to cultural differences and organizational structure issues. The report utilizes process and content theories of motivation, including Maslow's hierarchy of needs, Herzberg's two-factor theory, Adam's equity theory, and Vroom's expectancy theory, to address employee needs, improve job satisfaction, and create a more equitable and motivating work environment. The report also includes reflective writing, drawing on various academic sources and personal experiences to assess the application of these theories in solving the company's challenges and discusses the practical implications of these theories in managing a diverse workforce.

Cross Cultural Management

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
Podcast .......................................................................................................................................3
Reflective writing........................................................................................................................4
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................7
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................8

INTRODUCTION
Cross cultural management can be defined as managing team in different culture,
preference and practice in international business context(Cook and Artino Jr, 2016). The
following report will cover the Podcast and reflective writing which is based on the issue of
HRM practices in the organisation. The report will make use of process theory and content
theory of motivation in order to increase the motivation level of employees.
As per the case scenario HG ( Hydro generation ) organisation is starting a dam project in
Tanzania. But due to cross cultural issues the company is facing the problem of high turnover of
employees . Secondly the vice president of company has set up a flat structure but many local
employees feels that there is no senior authority to whom we should tell our concerns and hence
the structure of organisation is disorganised. Therefore it can be seen that the company is facing
the problem with its employees in new area.
Podcast
In order to have a proper human resource within the organisation it is needed that the
company should work on its HRM practices in order to avoid high turnover of employees, to
gain the trust and loyalty of employees and to recruit right employees for the organisation it is
needed that the company should make improvement in the HRM activities.
HG can make its human resource efficient and can gain their trust by fulfilling their needs
by the application of Maslow hierarchy of needs as well as Herzberg two factor theory(Bird, and
Mendenhall, 2016). These two process theories as focuses on how the employees can be
motivated means it focus on the process of motivation. Maslow hierarchy of needs will help in
increasing the motivation level of employees. As this theory focuses on fulfilling basic needs,
physiological needs, safety needs, esteem needs and achievement of organisation. Therefore with
the help of application of this theory the company can make job appealing to the employees by
increasing salaries, fulfilling basic needs of employees, assuring safety of jobs etc(Alshmemri,
Shahwan-Akl, and Maude, 2017). It will help the company to come up with the problem of
employees turnover. Similarly Herzberg two factor theory focuses on employees satisfaction
with their jobs. According to the theory there are two factors, factors for satisfaction and factors
for dissatisfaction. With the help of this theory company can focus on factors of satisfaction
which are salary, relationship with other employees, physical work place, working condition.

With the application of Herzberg two factor theory company can also create a strong relationship
between employees and supervisors. The salary is not the only factor which will help in retaining
employees the other factors within the organisation also plays an important role in retaining
employees.
Therefore it can be said that the above two theories will help company to decrease the
turnover of employees, and will also help the company to understand the needs of employees and
accordingly take actions.
Secondly it should be kept in mind that the employees make rational choices. The content theory
will help organisation to focus on the factors which motivates employees. HG should apply
Adam's equity theory and vroom expectancy theory in order understand the factors which help in
motivating employees(Matei, and Abrudan, 2016.). As per the Adams equity theory an
individual perform well if they know that in return of their performance they will get something.
The company should try to involve reward system within the organisation. Secondly if all the
employees are treated fairly than the employees feel motivated. Therefore company should try to
treat each and every employee equally and should give them rewards in return of their
performance. According to vroom expectancy theory employees performance is based on the
their skills, knowledge, experience and abilities. The company should provide proper resources
to its employees, as if employees have proper resources than their level of productivity will also
be increased. Secondly the right person should be given the right job(Miner, 2015). Lastly the
company should trust their employees and held them answerable for the outcomes. This will
create a sense of responsibility to employees which in return will give better outcomes.
Reflective writing
In order to come up with problem of company I have take use of various websites and
books in order to know that what will be the right methods which can be used in order to reduce
the employee turnover.
As per Lynn De Vito. 2019 motivation can be the necessary supplement in order to
enhance employee satisfaction, performance, engagement and commitment. In order to
determine the employees perception and their level of satisfaction. As a result it was found that
employees were happy with their managers in case where there is high opportunities for
employees and good work environment.

Christopher Holmberg and et.al., 2017, has conducted a study on Swedish mental health
care the reason for study is shortage in nursing personnel in health care. It was found that the
reason behind shortage in nursing personnel is low level of job satisfaction. A semi structured
interviewed was held of 25 nursing personnel. The application of Herzberg two factor theory is
proved successful in exploring job satisfaction within the work environment. The salary, career
advancement and incentive and compensation is not provided properly to the nursing personnel
which created a negative impact on job satisfaction. A a result it was found that accomplishment
of this factors will help the mental health care to come up with this problem.
However it can be said that the application of motivation theories helps with improving
the employees satisfaction level and also help company to gain the trust and loyalty of their
employees.
As in the study the company is facing problem of high employee turnover due to cross
culture. In order to solve this problem various motivation theories has been used such as Maslow
hierarchy of needs, Herzberg two factor theory, Adams equity theory and Vroom expectancy
theory. I have applied this theory because these theories will help company to motivate their
employees as a result of which company can come up with the problem of employees turnover.
Content theories will help the company to understand the needs of employees and to know the
factors which can be used in order to increase the motivation level of employees such as salary,
rewards, incentives etc. the main reason behind employees turnover in HG is dissatisfaction with
jobs, the employees are not happy with their job and they are also not able to understand the type
of structure organisation has. Therefore these theories will help company to understand their
employees more better and decrease the turnover rate.
Kolbs' Learning theory :
When the assignment was given to us it feels quite easy but it was not so. While doing
the project our group has faced with many difficulty. the reason behind this is that I have to work
with different personalities and the different person has different view point which creates a
problem for us. All the team members in the group has different thinking about the solution to
the case study. Majority of people think that the problem which company is facing is HRM due
to cross culture but some of the team members are not agreed with this problem(Kolb's Learning
Cycle, 2019).

The overall experience was good. I came in contact with many people during the task.
And I have gained knowledge from each person. Working in a team helps in gaining a wide
knowledge as we came in contact with new persons share our thought listen to their thoughts and
make discussion. This whole process helps in increasing the knowledge. At first I feel difficulty
in working with different personalities because it was quite depressing as the members of a team
are not agree with the result, Many conflicts arises during completion of task. But as the time
passes we came to understand each other and start respecting views of others. overall experience
was good I have learned many things from my team members. The weakness of our team is that
we come not came to the conclusion easily means the members does not get easily agree with
each other. But it can be taken as a good point that everyone wants to present their views and
opinions on a topic. Which has helped are team to analyse the problem in detail and find the
appropriate solution.
At first when the task was assigned to us and the team was selected. We all have decided
to conduct a team meeting. Where we all have discussed that how we will solve the case. As a
result of the meeting we all have read the case on our own and discussed it with whole team.
After the discussion many all team members were asked to present their views. Each and every
member was given a chance to present their understanding on case and give recommendations in
order to be applied to case. After everyone has presented their views discussion has been start in
which we have discussed about the views of each member. Many conflicts arises during the
meeting because all the members does not come up with same solution. I have found it very
difficult to present my views to others.
In order to come up with solution we have taken the two solution which can be applied to
the case and then voting is done for the two topics. And after voting we come up with the
solution. I found my team very supporting as despite of many conflicts we all have tried our best
to come up to solution with mutual understanding.
The overall experience related to task was good I have learned many new things from my
team members. The task helped me to enhance my knowledge regarding cross cultural
management. It has also helped me to understand that how to work in a team. While doing the
project I have read books, journals and various matters online which helps me in understanding
that what is the impact of cultural difference on business as well as personal level.

If I have to work in a team in such situation in future I will try to raise my opinion more
clearly and I will try to interact with more people.
CONCLUSION
Motivation can be defined as a internal as well as external factors which creates a desire
and energy within people in order to remain interested and committed to a job. The various
motivation theories which has been used in the report is of great use to companies in order to
enhance employees satisfaction level. The application of these motivation theories will help
company to come up with the problem of employees turnover. This theories will help company
to fulfil the needs of employees as it will help in improving or enhancing the motivation level of
employees.
Thus it can be said that in order to solve the problem related to cross cultural
management various motivation theories will be of great use to the company.

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Alshmemri, M., Shahwan-Akl, L. and Maude, P., 2017. Herzberg’s two-factor theory. Life
Science Journal, 14(5). pp.12-16.
Bird, A. and Mendenhall, M.E., 2016. From cross-cultural management to global leadership:
Evolution and adaptation. Journal of World Business, 51(1). pp.115-126.
Cook, D.A. and Artino Jr, A.R., 2016. Motivation to learn: an overview of contemporary
theories. Medical education, 50(10). pp.997-1014.
De Vito, L. and et.al., 2018. Employee motivation based on the hierarchy of needs, expectancy
and the two-factor theories applied with higher education employees. IJAMEE.
Lăzăroiu, G., 2015. Employee motivation and job performance. Linguistic and Philosophical
Investigations, (14). pp.97-102.
Matei, M.C. and Abrudan, M.M., 2016. Adapting Herzberg's two factor theory to the cultural
context of Romania. Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences, 221. pp.95-104.
Miner, J.B., 2015. Expectancy theories: Victor Vroom, and Lyman Porter and Edward Lawler.
In Organizational Behavior 1 .(pp. 110-129). Routledge.
Online
Motivation. 2019. [Online] Available through
<http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/motivation.html>
Kolb's Learning Cycle. 2019. [Online] Available through
<https://learn.solent.ac.uk/mod/book/view.php?id=2732&chapterid=1112>