Report on Study Skills and Hofstede's Cultural Dimensions

This report examines study skills essential for higher education, focusing on Hofstede's cultural dimensions and their implications. It critically evaluates individualism versus collectivism, and masculinity versus femininity, suggesting the use of power distance and indulgence vs. restraint dimensions. The report also defines the purpose of a literature review, its role in academic research, and its importance in identifying knowledge gaps. Furthermore, it explores corporate social responsibility (CSR) as a self-regulating business model, highlighting its significance in stakeholder relations. The report emphasizes the importance of adapting to diverse environments and cultural values in international organizations, offering insights into effective study techniques and the integration of CSR into business models.

Study Skill for Higher
Education

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
Assessment 1....................................................................................................................................1
Critically evaluate suggestion on Hofstede's cultural dimensions .............................................1
Agree and disagree with theory of cultural dimensions .............................................................2
Make the suggestion....................................................................................................................3
Assessment 2 ...................................................................................................................................4
Literature review and its purpose ...............................................................................................4
Corporate social responsibility ...................................................................................................5
CONCLUSION ...............................................................................................................................8
REFERENCES ...............................................................................................................................9

INTRODUCTION
The improving and developing the study skills is long termed and stepwise procedure. It
is also individual procedure. Study skills are the abilities need to allow studying and learn
efficiently. These skills are an essential set of transferable life skills. Study skills advice proper
to learner across all disciplines and in different life conditions (Cox, Imrie and Miller, 2014).
Report will evaluate the suggestions in the article of Hofstede's cultural dimensions. It will
justify position about agree and disagree with the statement. Furthermore, study will explain
literature review and its achieve. It will explain literature review on corporate social
responsibility.
Assessment 1
Critically evaluate suggestion on Hofstede's cultural dimensions
Culture defines five components such as values, symbols, belief and thought procedure.
Hofstede's cultural dimension is theory or framework for cross-cultural interaction. It defines
effect the culture on value of members of society. Values are related to behaviour utilising
structure derived from factor analysis (Roth, Ogrin and Schmitz, 2016). Cultural dimensions
which can have fundamental impact on business environment such as power distance,
uncertainty avoidance, masculinity and femininity as well as individualism.
Individualism and Collectivism: In critically evaluation, individualism culture dimensions
means to ways self-oriented members of culture in their behaviour. This culture places large
value on achievement and self interest of individual. This dimension researches the level to
which people in society are incorporated into groups. In critically evaluation, collectivism means
that society in which tough unified draw long relationship with families and into in-groups.
These in-groups are tied with undoubted loyalty and each other when arises conflicts within
another in -group (Baethge and Wolter, 2015). The position of society is reflected in whether
self image of people that is determined in relation to I and we.
Uncertainty Avoidance: In critically analysis, this dimension means that responding of
members to uncertainty and ambiguity. There are high scores of uncertainty avoidance which
refers to tend to avoid risk taking. With this cultural, companies are ensured that employees do
not pervert from accepted standards (The 6 dimensions of national culture, 2019). Through less
uncertainty avoidance, risk taking and innovation are essential in accomplishing successful
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result. It tends to compel lesser regulations, unclearness is the more used to and environment is
more free flowing. The lower level of index indicates more acceptance of differing ideas. The
large level in this index shows for strong code of behaviour, guidelines, regulations and absolute
truth. Tolerance for ambiguity in which people grasp an event of unanticipated, unknown and
away form status quo.
Power Distance: It is the level to which less powerful members of institutions that accept and
expect that power is distributed unequally. Inequality and power is detected from the followers
or lower strata. In critically evaluation, without reason and doubt, higher level of power distance
dimension culture shows that power structure is clearly launched and executed in the society.
The lower level shows that member question authority and attempt to distribute power (Merchant
and et.al., 2014). This dimension culture means to the inequality power among the supervisors
and subordinates. The fundamental issue is handled inequalities between people in this culture
dimension. People seek to equalise the distribution of power and demand consideration for
inequalities of power. Power distance culture has adopted forms of management like
participative administration which places superiors and subordinates on more equal terms.
Masculinity VS Femininity: Masculinity means as preference in society for achievement,
assertiveness and material rewards for success. In critically evaluation, Femininity shows
preferences for organizations, correctitude and caring for the weak and quality of life. This
cultural dimensions is often viewed as out in highly masculine societies. Women are shared
modest and caring views equally with men in the feminine society (Poe, Norman and Levin,
2014). In critically evaluation, women are assertive and competitive but not less than men in the
masculine societies. Still, they identify the gap among male and female values. Nowadays,
female are more understanding the culture and values rather than male within the organizations.
Agree and disagree with theory of cultural dimensions
Individualism culture dimension is better rather than collectivism. Individualism culture
dimension can be determined as orientation for narrowly knitted fabric social framework in
which single person is expected to take care of only themselves and their direct families. I
disagree with collectivism which shows that orientation for tough-knit framework in which
single person can expect their members of particular in group to see after in exchange for
unquestioning loyalty in the society (Hwang, 2015). The people's self image is determined as I
and We in collectivism culture dimension. There is conflict between in groups, so that this
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culture dimension is not good for society. On other side, femininity culture dimension is good
instead of masculinity. The femininity culture dimensions shows preferences for organizations
and caring for week and quality of life. Society is more consensus oriented at the large level in
this culture dimensions. I disagree with masculinity which shows that orientation for
achievement, assertiveness and material rewards for success. Society is more competitive at large
level in this culture dimensions. In femininity culture, women are shared modest and caring
aspects equally with men (Hart, 2018). Society and organization still recognize gab among male
and female values, so that this kind of culture dimension is not appropriate within the society and
organizations. In order to that organizational values are particular to mission statement which
guides conduct and relations with stakeholders. It can not be same as individual value in which
they are determined and helped through top level administration to evolve shared understanding
for expected behaviour.
Make the suggestion
An individual should utilise the power distance cultural dimensions because of the level
to which less powerful members of institutions like family that accept and expect which power is
distributed unequally. Inequality and power is precevied from the followers or lower strata in the
power distance culture dimensions. Without reasons and doubt, larger level of index shows that
hierarchy is clearly constituted and executed in society. The lower level of index indicates that
the question of people to authority and shared to distribute power. Also, single should utilise
indulgence vs restraint cultural dimension which means level of freedom which social standards
provide to citizens in fulfilling their desires human. Indulgence is determined that as society
which enable relatively free satisfy of basic and human desires related to enjoy life and having
fun. Restraint is determined as society which controls satisfy of wants and regulates through
means of strict social standards. With the help of these cultural dimensions, people are improved
social standards through distributing the power. This help to improve cross culture
communications and international management of companies as well as society. This cultural
dimension inspired number of major cross cultural studied of values and research on other view
culture such as social value and belief. In this context, international organization have to adjust
to many various environment. They are focused on diversity of workers in dealing with
consumers in different nations. The culture of workers performing in international businesses can
be different from the national culture of their nation.
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Assessment 2
Literature review and its purpose
Literature Review (LR):
It is the also called as narrative review which is kind of review article. It is the scholarly
paper that involves current knowledge such as essential findings, theoretic and methods
contributions to specific subject. These are secondary source and do not report new or research
work. Academic based literature reviews are found in academic journals. These are based for
research in closely every academic area (Hwang, 2015). This can also be part of graduate and
post graduate students work involving in the preparation of thesis, dissertation or journals article.
These are also common in research proposals which is documented that is approved before
students officially starting thesis and dissertation.
The credibility of source is one of the most hard of literature review with easy of finding
info or data on the internet. Search engine is the friendly and good practices to start study in an
academic library. Literature review give with accessible guide to specific subject. This can give
overview or action as measure stone when student have limited time to conduct research. Also, it
can provide accurate background for investigation of research paper. The purpose of literature
review is to give basis of knowledge about the subjects.
 It identifies fields of prior aid to keep duplication and give credit to other investigators.
 The aim of literature review is determined inconstancy which involves gap in study,
conflicts in previous research, open questions left from other study.
 This can determine want for additional research and relations of works in relation to its
contribution on the subject and to other activity (Poe, Norman and Levin, 2014).
 The purpose of literature review is to place research within the context of existing
literature making case for further study is needed.
 Academic literature review needs accuracy, quality resources, objective thoroughness and
analysis quality.
The difference between procedure of reviewing literature and ended work that is called as
literature review. The procedure of reviewing the literature which is frequently ongoing and
informs many views of the empirical research projects. The procedure of literature review needs
various types of actions and ways of thinking. Remembering, knowing, implementing,
evaluating and making which are involved in ways of thinking. Literature review can be simple
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summary of the sources but it normally has combined both summary and abstract thought. It can
evaluate the sources and advise the readers on the most appropriate or relevant.
In order to that, the focus of literature review is to sum up and abstract thought the
argument as well as ideas of others without adding new contributions. Literature reviews are
written on occasion in the humanistic discipline which they represent section of paper (Hart,
2018). It plays many roles in research or study in which will present well-informed scholar with
knowledge in the area through providing summary of the actual state of the literature. It will
discovery gap or address business or professional issues in the literature. It will instance ways
research contributes to the academic language. Literature review give abstract thoughts of issues,
trends and conception of encompassing research of students. It is necessary to be aware to
students, because of literature review is an iterative procedure.
In addition to that, the aim of literature review is gain understanding of existence study
and debates relevant specific subject and field of study. It is to present that knowledge in the kind
of written report. It is the critical approach to source and literature are subject matter of the
writing. The structure of literature review involve ideas which are to be conducted thematically
with main point relating to subject of LR (Hwang, 2015). After that, showing the source relate to
each other and contribute to knowledge about the subject. Therefore, students can be done
effective literature review, so that rest of research will be easily done by them. Effective
literature review help to conduct and completed the study on particular topic by researchers.
Corporate social responsibility
According to that Kim, Li and Li, (2014) corporate social responsibility (CSR) is the self
regulating business model which aids firm be socially responsible to stakeholder and public.
CSR also called as corporate citizenships, sustainable business, responsible business. It is the
kind of global private business self regulation. It is possible to describe corporate social
responsibility as an internal policy of organization and corporate ethic strategy. CSR is normally
interpreted as private policy of business. It must fit with incorporated into business model to be
successful. Company apply corporate social responsibility goes beyond agreement with
regulatory requirements. Companies can involve in CSR for strategic or ethical purposes. The
strategies of corporate social responsibility promote to make positive impact on atmosphere and
stakeholder involving customers, employees, investors and other people. CSR is the combining
of socially beneficial programs and activities into business model and culture of organization.
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As per view of Saeidi and et.al., (2015) corporate social responsibility has pulled
attention from range of stakeholder and organizations. The aim of CSR is to raise long term
profits and shareholder trust through positive public relationship and large ethical standards. It is
to decrease business and legal risk through taking accountability for corporate activities from
strategic perspective. From the ethical perception, companies are adopted corporate social
responsibility policies and procedures because of ethical value to senior administration. The
purpose of CSR is to raise the long term profits for online and offline businesses by allowing
them to become more efficient and attract positive attention for their efforts. The aim of
corporate social responsibility is kind of promotional tool which has dual purposes of raising the
profits and bettering society.
In addition to that Grayson and Hodges, (2017) corporate social responsibility is the
beneficial in many ways such as prevent the financial growing, increase employee loyalty and
maintain positive reputation of business. Corporate social responsibility is beneficial for treating
fairly of employees. With the CSR, reducing the waste, recycling and minimizing carbon
footprint and supporting environmental reasons. The purposes of CSR is to ensure that
businesses conduct their ethical business in effective manner. This refer to take action of their
social, economic and environmental impact and thought of human rights. Corporate social
responsibility policies continue to develop and increase their reach which it can well become the
case that firms discover itself under added pressure to have their CSR initiatives deliver strong
financial outcome. Effective strategy of corporate social responsibility can deliver more engaged
workers, better access to talent, low capital confinement and better reputation.
In order to that Crowther and Seifi, eds., (2018) There are range of actions such as
working in partnership with localised people, investment of socially responsible, evolving the
relations with workers and consumers, help in protection and sustainability environmental. CSR
is an essential way to raise competitive advantage, securing and increase brand awareness and
build trust with consumers and workers. Through ads, they are promoted of project which help to
increase CSR credential with clients in provide location. Through CSR, participate in localized
community projects, employee involvement and linked consumers with projects leaders.
Companies must engage in efforts of corporate social responsibility, so that they are achieved
consumer targets.
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According to that Tai and Chuang, (2014) CSR has become one of standard of practices
of business. The formation of CSR strategy is important element of competitiveness of
organization. This refers having the policies and procedures in place which incorporate social,
environmental, ethical, human rights and consumer concern into business operations and core
approaches which all close collaboration with stakeholder. The whole purpose is to accomplish
positive impact on society as entire while increasing the creation of shared value for the owners
of the firms such as workers, shareholder and stakeholder. CSR had larger level of employees
engagement and given markedly better standard of consumers services. The integrated of CSR
programs by companies on important level appears as current. Strong corporate social
responsibility performance utilising for building the brand and product marketing strategy. Still,
executives of firms believe on existing financial and hierarchical models as the base of their
individual planning.
As per the view of Cheng, Ioannou and Serafeim, (2014) corporate social responsibility
policies require to be considered as core and inseparable element of overall offering services and
products. With the unique situation of firm, different models in existence that can help to achieve
CSR aims of firm. It is necessary to follow the corporate social responsibility programs and
sustainability strategy which comprises re-evaluating thoughts by firm about their impact,
engaging stakeholder on the far side shareholder. Through this, it is coming up with plan to
improve impact of business on society and take chance of business as well as create cost saving
as the outcome. Many of actions of corporate social responsibility like overreaching, business
aligned strategy and utilising then as techniques to drive invention, handle material issues,
strengthen people engagement and mitigate risk within the businesses.
In addition to that Crowther and Seifi, eds., (2018) CSR is the lot of planning and
engagement with workers, suppliers, non-governmental organization maybe academics and
others. Corporate social responsibility frequently needs serious preparation of purposes and
decision making structures of organization. It can expect same soft result in relation to outcomes
and impact on CSR while policies of corporate social responsibility are adopted without co-
occurring tools for challenging and enabling deep change. Sustainability is clearly essential in
which companies are adopted strategic concepts to their policies of CSR. They are raised looking
the benefit across the business and for their stakeholder. The rules of corporate social
responsibility are not difficult governing by companies. Many of organizations understand
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growing resilience, reputation and legal risks. With the CSR, companies are easily made chances
for internationalise and connected to worldwide.
According to that Tai and Chuang, (2014) corporate social responsibility has many of
approaches which make safe and high quality goods to achieve the consumer targets. The
corporate philanthropy is the most common approach. This involve monetary donations and help
given to non-profits organization and people. Another concept to CSR is to integrate strategy of
CSR directly into operations such as procurance of Fair trade tea and coffee. Many of
organizations utilise standards to assess policy of corporate social responsibility, apply and
effectiveness. Benchmarking includes challengers initiatives, implementation, measuring and
evaluating effect that those policies have society and atmosphere. Therefore, all the companies
need following the corporate social responsibility within businesses which help to achieve the
competitive advantages and create higher positions within specific industry.
CONCLUSION
This report has summarised that Hofstede's culture dimensions such as individualism vs
collectivism, masculinity vs femininity utilised for improving the social group. It can be
concluded that individualism and femininity are good cultural dimensions in the society. It can
be discussed that indulgence vs restraints cultural dimensions also useful for social club.
Furthermore, report has completed that literature review is part of research of academic study
and playing the different roles within research. It can be concluded that corporate social
responsibility is beneficial for improving financial performance, impact of environment, social,
culture, values and beliefs of the companies as well as society.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Baethge, M. and Wolter, A., 2015. The German skill formation model in transition: from dual
system of VET to higher education?. Journal for Labour Market Research. 48(2). p.97.
Cheng, B., Ioannou, I. and Serafeim, G., 2014. Corporate social responsibility and access to
finance. Strategic management journal. 35(1). pp.1-23.
Cox, K., Imrie, B. W. and Miller, A., 2014. Student assessment in higher education: a handbook
for assessing performance. Routledge.
Crowther, D. and Seifi, S. eds., 2018. Redefining Corporate Social Responsibility. Emerald
Group Publishing.
Grayson, D. and Hodges, A., 2017. Corporate social opportunity!: Seven steps to make
corporate social responsibility work for your business. Routledge.
Hart, C., 2018. Doing a literature review: Releasing the research imagination. Sage.
Hwang, K. K., 2015. Cultural system vs. pan‐cultural dimensions: Philosophical reflection on
approaches for indigenous psychology. Journal for the Theory of Social
Behaviour. 45(1). pp.2-25.
Kim, Y., Li, H. and Li, S., 2014. Corporate social responsibility and stock price crash
risk. Journal of Banking & Finance. 43. pp.1-13.
Merchant, Z. and et.al., 2014. Effectiveness of virtual reality-based instruction on students'
learning outcomes in K-12 and higher education: A meta-analysis. Computers &
Education. 70. pp.29-40.
Poe, M. R., Norman, K. C. and Levin, P. S., 2014. Cultural dimensions of socioecological
systems: key connections and guiding principles for conservation in coastal
environments. Conservation Letters. 7(3). pp.166-175.
Roth, A., Ogrin, S. and Schmitz, B., 2016. Assessing self-regulated learning in higher education:
a systematic literature review of self-report instruments. Educational Assessment,
Evaluation and Accountability. 28(3). pp.225-250.
Saeidi, S. P. and et.al., 2015. How does corporate social responsibility contribute to firm
financial performance? The mediating role of competitive advantage, reputation, and
customer satisfaction. Journal of business research. 68(2). pp.341-350.
Tai, F. M. and Chuang, S. H., 2014. Corporate social responsibility. Ibusiness. 6(03). p.117.
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Online
The 6 dimensions of national culture. 2019. [ONLINE]. Availability through. :
<https://www.hofstede-insights.com/models/national-culture/>.
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