Cross-Cultural Management Report: Hydro Generation Case Study

This report examines the cross-cultural management practices of Hydro Generation (HG) in Tanzania, focusing on challenges related to national culture, leadership, and motivation. The report applies Hofstede's cultural dimensions theory to analyze Tanzanian culture, highlighting its collectivist nature and high power distance. It explores democratic leadership, as exemplified by manager Jones, and the application of Vroom's expectancy theory to motivate employees. The report also provides recommendations, including the use of situational leadership and Adam's equity theory, and offers a reflective analysis of the author's learning experience, emphasizing the importance of teamwork, effective communication, and the application of leadership theories in a cross-cultural context. The report concludes with the author's reflection on the benefits of teamwork and the application of leadership theories in the project.

CROSS CULTURAL
MANAGEMENT

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
Three topics.................................................................................................................................1
Recommendations.......................................................................................................................1
Reflective report..........................................................................................................................1
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................4
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................5

INTRODUCTION
Cross cultural management is the practice of administration for managing workers and
things that included a different culture background. It helps firms to interact, comprehend and
deal with many people who belong of other cultures. The current report is based on Hydro
generation (HG) company, in US. This assignment explain issues that firm experienced while
operating business operation in Tanzania which relate to three topics mentioned below.
Furthermore, this report justified recommendations and analysis based on problems, and define
some theories related to chosen topics. Moreover, it also clarified short analysis of what went
good in team and what could be improved.
Three topics
National culture-
It is considered as set of beliefs, customs and behaviours as well as valued shared by
population of sovereign country. Also refer to particular characteristics such as religion, racial
identify, ethics and cultural history. In context of case study, Hofstede's culture dimensions
theory is applied because it is related to this topic (Kristjánsdóttir and et.al., 2017). It is assisted
in determining different factors which could influence culture and identified supportive business
activities accordant to same. By applying this theory, it will identify that Tanzania scores rate in
power distance dimension is high as it was score of 70 that means that individual accepts a
hierarchical order in which every one has a place, that needs no further explanations.
Furthermore, by applying Hofsteds's theory the score rate of Tanzania is determined in regard to
individualism dimension. With score of 258 it is considered Tanzania had collective society, it is
manifest in a close long term commitment to people team, be that a family or extended
relationships. Instead of individualism, Tanzania people prefer to work in group, they prioritize
good of community over welfare of individual. A method to support this fact is the outcomes
acquired through word of mouth from family members of workforce. The way Jones hired local
peoples and mentioned job openings to localities them suggested their relatives caters an
example for such practices supported by culture as it is excepted by number of peoples
associated with Dam project in Tanzania (Ringo, 2018). Under collectivist culture, people value
the needs of team or community more than themselves, they provide support and understand
each other norms which make them able to work in group. Furthermore, along with it, with the
help of applying above theory is will be analysed that Tanzania scores 40 on masculinity culture
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dimension as it is considered a Feminine society which means that they focus on working in
order to live.
Leadership-
Leadership is a practical skill encompassing the capability of an person to lead or guide
other individuals and group of people effectively. In context of case study, Democratic
leadership theory can applied on the basis of Jones's behaviour and concern towards their
workers, this statement can be support with the example taken from case study. Jones as a
manager believed that their subordinate must be provided full accountability for taking as well
as implementing decisions but that they had to be held responsibility for the outcomes.
Democratic leadership theory, is relevant and suitable according to the nature of Jones because
they believe that input of other team members while taking decision in context of project is also
very essential. With this leadership style, person will be able to encourage contributions and
participations from group members and also help people feel more committed as well as relevant
to decision-making procedure. By applying Democratic theory, it examined that Jones have
good leadership abilities, he is able to motivate people in any situation (Eizaguirre, S. and Parés,
M., 2019). This statement is proved with the help of specific example taken from given case
study. To complete the project on time, Steinberg required more labour and pay extra for each
activity because such practices were legal and normal in Tanzanian business dealings, they
bordered on unethical in US firm. Employees demand bonuses for every single thing or
additional services. At this situation Jones play vital role they deal with labour in a position to
demand high payments, understand their needs and solve issues that help to make all workers
ready to work. Jones to handle another situation hired an African religion, who are able to
advised Hydro generation to work with religious caretaker of falls to determine a solution (Lin,
2018).
Motivation and HRM-
Motivation is one of the best way to enhance the practices and working abilities of group
members effectively, different types of motivational theories and strategies are used by leader as
well as managers while performing at large organization. By applying Vroom's theory of
expectancy, it examined that Jones as manager is able to motivate and inspire their team
members to work perfectly. He it really very good at dealing with locals and employees who are
working on Dam project. His behaviour will results from conscious choices among alternative
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whose purpose is to increase productivity and to gain better outcomes at the end of project. With
the motivation abilities and supportive nature, Jones can inspire other people effectively and
enhance the motivational level of staff which is quite beneficial in term of productivity and
profitability. He has the right skills to do their job as a manager in Tanzania, he can support and
contribute to get job done of their people as well. He belied that when labour perform well they
can get valued results (Harris and et.al., 2017). As according to theory, expectancy is the belief
that enhance efforts that will lead of increased performance, Jones always provide efforts and try
to make effective contribution in order to complete project on time. Furthermore, by applying
this theory is also evaluated that Jones trust in people who will take decision, he always efforts
to solve issues and encourage workers to take participate in decision-making function. Jones is
not motivated by money, he valued efforts make to done given project. Within High employee
turnover situation they play effective role as motivator and effectively deal with local people.
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Recommendations
As per the above, it is to be recommended that Jones should also apply situation
leadership theory at their working area because this theory helps a candidate to adopt that
leadership style as per the situation so that it assist to get better results. Further, this theory is
also consider an effective way of leadership because it determine the team's need and further sets
a beneficial balance for entire firm (Northouse, 2018). Further, it is also recommended that
Jones may also use Adam's equity theory which state that people are motivated only when they
treated equally. As during the hiring process, it is analysed that Jones only prefer those people
who belongs to government officials and that is why, by using this theory Jones treat other
equally and also receive what employees consider fair for their efforts.
Reflective report
While conducting the entire report, I analyzed that I gain enough knowledge regarding
cross cultural management. Such that, I learn working in a team will be more effective instead of
doing work individually. In the same way, I enhance my knowledge regarding to Leadership.
Through the entire study, I realized that there are different theories and models that assist to
explain the meaning of leadership. While researching on this particular topic, I find out that a
great leader posses a strong and clear vision which has integrity and honesty as well as clear
focus. As per the case study, it can be stated that Steinberg was not comfortable with Jone's
hiring practice but on the other side, he did not have any doubt the competence of any given
hiree but discrimination comes. Such that he think that Jones easily hire those candidate who
have close relationship with government official whether a person is women or man. But, Jones
know his own roles and responsibility which clearly reflect that he is a good leader. Moreover, a
good leader always help to reach their goals, In the same way, Jones always believe that
subordinate should also give full responsibility for making and implementing decision which
continuously realize them they are an important element of the company (Ruben and Gigliotti,
2017). Thus, this leadership style reflect democratic style which assist to present the positive
working environment within a company.
Similarly, I also realize that by applying this theory under leadership will assist to
receive many benefits and also encouraging innovation and creative solutions for every problem.
As case study also depicts that they have to make a dam in which a manager or a leader must
have to consult with all the employees while making any decision so that it realize them that

they are also an important part of a project. In addition to this, it is also reflected from the
project that Jones posses strong skills to deal with local people and employees which in turn
assist to not making them worse and company easily perform their work too. Moreover, Jones
uses democratic leadership style in which he keep encouraging their team members so that they
should participate in decision making process and these leadership style also allow for a new
idea to be shared in open manner without any conflict. Therefore, I clearly analyzed that this
leadership style help to solve complex problem and by complying with this style Jones also deal
different complex problem and also hire good employees as well.
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So, it can be evaluated that using democratic leadership style, a leader may easily find
creative solutions and people prefer to work in a team too. This in turn build team based
relationship because without them, there would be no team loyalty and these relationship will
help organization to take feedback and make improvement wherever necessary (James,
Crawford and Oplatka, 2019). Through this, me and my team also improve the knowledge and
also contribute our best so that we may easily deliver the good podcast. Thus, through this
podcast we learn different styles of leadership and also apply the same in our team. Such that we
all work in a group and that is why, we always consult or discuss every topic to each other so
that each of come with our own idea and correct others in order to prevent from taking any
wrong decision. In this way, we always discuss any topic and then try to make decision which in
turn help to reach our define aim and objectives.
During the entire podcast, we were a group of 5 people and at earlier stage, we find some
issue because of wrong communication and that is why, we face some barrier. But when we
solve all the issue, I come to realize that working a team is far better than working individual. It
is so because when we work in a group, we share our own experience to each other and also
bring new ideas which in turn assist to reach our defined aim and objectives. While conducting
the podcast, I think our collaboration is good because we done the whole work in better manner
and also deliver this on right time as well. Though there are many issues which our group faced
but we solve that and proceed further. In addition to this, I also realized that in order to deliver
the best outcomes, I think we all make enough contribution and whenever any of us, feel low or
demotivated, another team member come and motivates with an aim that it will not affect our
podcast in opposite manner.
In addition to this, I also realized that I enhance my knowledge with regards to cross
cultural management, like working with diverse workforce always creates positive impact upon
the overall organizational performance. In the same way, using an effective communication we
all also deliver the podcast in better manner, though there are many issue which also affect the
overall project but our knowledge and collaboration (team working) assist to overcome from the
every issue (Wilson and et.al., 2017).
While doing a teamwork, we analyze that we all lack time management skill and that is
why, we never complete our daily work in specify deadline. That is why, I think that this is a
major issue which need to improved whenever we perform work in near future. On the other
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side, while doing work in a group, I make sure that we delegate work as per the skills and
competency so that it will not affect the overall project. For instance, If one team member have
good research skills, then research task will be allotted to him only. In this way, the work will be
easily managed and there will be no issue that may cause delay to our project or a podcast. In
addition to this, during the whole study, I realize that I do not posses strong written
communication skill and not even able to take better decision in specified time. So, in order to
improve these area, I will start working on this and start attending training session which will
assist me to enhance my these skills. Hence, by improving these area, I will easily perform
another work while performing any task within a group so that it will assist to raise my current
level of knowledge as well.
Beside this, if I perform the same work in near future, then I make sure that I will work
with a group of 7 people so that they all brings range of new ideas which in turn assist to
deceiver better podcast. Further, I also make sure that we deliver daily task within a specified
deadline because in current situation, we lack time management skills which cause negative
impact upon our project. Thus, from the overall, I realized that it was the best project for me
because I interact with new people where I can easily share our own views in order to getting
best results. Along with this, I also learn different theories such that Hofstede cultural dimension
theory in which I learn that every country have their own cultural score, further I also raise my
knowledge with regards to leadership and also want that in my future I also opt democratic
leadership style. Lastly, I learn that there is a need to keep motivate employees so that they may
easily perform the work in effective manner.
CONCLUSION
By summing up above, it has been concluded that cross cultural management plays an
effective role in the success of every business. Similarly from the case study, it has been
concluded that case study describe different issue such that national culture and by applying
Hofstede cultural dimension theory it can be stated that Tanzania follow collectivism culture
where people prefer to work in a group and that is why, they are not in favor to leave a place due
to construction of a dam. Further, podcast also concluded that Jones follow democratic
leadership style in which he involve all the employees and by using Vroom Expectancy theory,
manager may easily motivate their employees in order to increase their overall productivity.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Eizaguirre, S. and Parés, M., 2019. Communities making social change from below. Social
innovation and democratic leadership in two disenfranchised neighbourhoods in
Barcelona. Urban Research & Practice. 12(2). pp.173-191.
Harris, K.J and et.al., 2017. The antecedents and outcomes of food safety motivators for
restaurant workers: An expectancy framework. International Journal of Hospitality
Management. 63. pp.53-62.
James, C., Crawford, M. and Oplatka, I., 2019. An affective paradigm for educational leadership
theory and practice: connecting affect, actions, power and influence. International
Journal of Leadership in Education. 22(5). pp.617-628.
Kristjánsdóttir, H and et.al., 2017. Hofstede national culture and international trade. Applied
Economics. 49(57). pp.5792-5801.
Lin, C.W., 2018. Investigating the Theoretical Structure of Deliberative Democratic
Leadership. Journal of Education and Training Studies. 6(9). pp.168-173.
Northouse, P.G., 2018. Leadership: Theory and practice. Sage publications.
Ringo, J.J., 2018. Influence of cultural dimensions on under-five mortality among agro-pastoral
communities in Handeni district, Tanzania (Doctoral dissertation, Sokoine University
of Agriculture).
Ruben, B. D. and Gigliotti, R. A., 2017. Communication: Sine qua non of organizational
leadership theory and practice. International Journal of Business Communication.54(1).
pp.12-30.
Wilson, S. and et.al., 2017. Revitalising leadership: Putting theory and practice into context.
Routledge.
Online
Hofstede's Cultural Dimensions. 2019. [Online]. Available through:
<https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newLDR_66.htm>
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