What is Culture? - Module 2

Introduction

In this section, Lon Schiffbauer introduces the topic of culture and how it influences international business, relations, organizations, and other aspects of life.

What is Culture?

• Culture is a system of values and norms shared among a group of people that directs and justifies how the members operate, live, and behave.

• A culture is a full system all interconnected. It's not just one or two things; it's all kinds of things influencing one another.

• Culture directs how people behave but also justifies how they behave. It lends some sort of moral justification to what we do.

The Power of Culture

• Culture permeates every aspect of our lives. It's everywhere around us, even if we don't see it anymore.

• Culture can be compared to a computer's operating system. We don't see it, but it really directs how our computer operates.

Elements that Comprise Culture

• Religion profoundly affects culture even if someone is not practicing religion in any way or shape or form.

• Political philosophy that a certain country or region follows really permeates the culture in many ways. For instance, democracy is seen as the prevailing political philosophy in many Western cultures.

Values and Norms

In this section, Lon Schiffbauer explains what values and norms are and their importance in shaping culture.

What are Values?

• Values are beliefs or principles that people hold to be important. They guide behavior and decision-making.

What are Norms?

• Norms are the unwritten rules of behavior that govern social interactions. They can vary widely between cultures.

The Importance of Values and Norms

• Values and norms shape culture by guiding behavior, decision-making, and social interactions.

• Understanding values and norms is crucial for effective communication and building relationships across cultures.

Cultural Dimensions

In this section, Lon Schiffbauer introduces the concept of cultural dimensions and how they can help us understand cultural differences.

What are Cultural Dimensions?

• Cultural dimensions are a framework for understanding cultural differences developed by Geert Hofstede.

• There are six cultural dimensions that can help us understand how different cultures approach things like power distance, individualism vs collectivism, masculinity vs femininity, uncertainty avoidance, long-term vs short-term orientation, and indulgence vs restraint.

Power Distance

• Power distance refers to the extent to which less powerful members of society accept unequal distribution of power.

• High power distance cultures tend to have more hierarchical structures with clear lines of authority. Low power distance cultures tend to have flatter organizational structures with less emphasis on hierarchy.

Individualism vs Collectivism

• Individualistic cultures prioritize individual goals over group goals. Collectivistic cultures prioritize group goals over individual goals.

• In individualistic cultures, people tend to be more independent and self-reliant. In collectivistic cultures, people tend to be more interdependent and reliant on others.

Masculinity vs Femininity

• Masculine cultures value competitiveness, assertiveness, and achievement. Feminine cultures value cooperation, modesty, and caring for the weak.

• In masculine cultures, there is often a clear distinction between gender roles. In feminine cultures, gender roles are less rigidly defined.

Uncertainty Avoidance

• Uncertainty avoidance refers to the extent to which people feel threatened by ambiguity and uncertainty.

• High uncertainty avoidance cultures tend to have strict rules and regulations in place to reduce uncertainty. Low uncertainty avoidance cultures tend to be more accepting of ambiguity and change.

Long-term vs Short-term Orientation

• Long-term orientation refers to a focus on long-term goals and planning for the future. Short-term orientation refers to a focus on immediate results.

• Cultures with a long-term orientation tend to value persistence, thriftiness, and respect for tradition. Cultures with a short-term orientation tend to value quick results, adaptability, and innovation.

Indulgence vs Restraint

• Indulgent cultures prioritize gratification of desires over restraint. Restrained cultures prioritize restraint over gratification of desires.

• In indulgent cultures, people tend to be more relaxed about social norms around things like sexuality or drug use. In restrained cultures, these norms are much stricter.

Conclusion

In this section, Lon Schiffbauer summarizes the key points about culture and its influence on international business, relations, organizations, and other aspects of life.

• Culture is a system of values and norms shared among a group of people that directs and justifies how the members operate, live, and behave.

• Understanding cultural differences is crucial for effective communication and building relationships across cultures.

• Cultural dimensions can help us understand how different cultures approach things like power distance, individualism vs collectivism, masculinity vs femininity, uncertainty avoidance, long-term vs short-term orientation, and indulgence vs restraint.

Political, Economic, and Communication Philosophy

In this section, the speaker discusses how political philosophy can enter into our day-to-day expression of our cultural selves. The economic philosophy is also discussed in terms of free markets and centralized control of key industries. Finally, verbal and non-verbal communication is introduced as a key factor in international business.

Political Philosophy

• Political philosophy can influence our day-to-day expression of our cultural selves.

• Different cultures may emphasize different political philosophies.

• Examples include individualism vs collectivism or democracy vs authoritarianism.

Economic Philosophy

• Economic philosophy can influence ideas about gaps between rich and poor and redistribution of wealth.

• Different cultures may emphasize free markets or centralized control of key industries.

Verbal and Non-Verbal Communication

• Communication styles are driven by cultural differences.

• Understanding how we express ourselves is important for working together across cultures.

• Verbal and non-verbal communication are both important factors in international business.

Social Structure, History, Customs, Traditions, Stories & Mythologies

This section covers various aspects that give flavor to a culture including social structure, history, customs, traditions, stories & mythologies.

Social Structure

• Different parts of the world have different social structures.

• Some social structures are very flat with few hierarchies while others are more rigid.

History

• Personal experiences shape individual opinions just as historical events shape cultural character.

• Cultures have unique histories that go back centuries or even thousands of years.

Customs and Traditions

• Customs and traditions vary widely across cultures.

• They provide insight into what people enjoy doing and what is considered important.

Stories and Mythologies

• Stories and mythologies reinforce cultural norms and behaviors.

• They are used to reinforce values that are considered good, noble, and desirable.

Values, Norms, Folkways, Morays & Taboos

This section covers various aspects of culture that give flavor to a culture including values, norms, folkways, morays & taboos.

Values

• Cultures are not inherently good or bad.

• Different cultures have different values that shape their behavior.

Norms

• Norms are unwritten rules about how people should behave in a given society.

• They can vary widely across cultures.

Folkways

• Folkways are informal norms that govern everyday behavior.

• Examples include etiquette or dress codes.

Morays

• Morays are more serious than folkways and often carry legal consequences if violated.

• Examples include laws against theft or murder.

Taboos

• Taboos are the most serious type of norm violation.

• They involve behaviors that are completely forbidden in a given society.

Understanding Culture

In this section, the speaker discusses how culture is amoral and that different cultures have different values, norms, folkways, and mores.

Values

• Values are principles that a society believes to be good, right, and desirable.

• Different regions and countries value them in different ways.

• For example, in the United States we value freedom, equity, human rights.

Norms

• Norms are social rules and guidelines that prescribe appropriate behaviors.

• Different cultures have different norms.

• For example, in the US and Australia people tend to be open and friendly towards strangers whereas in Europe they are more reserved.

Folkways

• Folkways are routine conventions of everyday life.

• Different cultures have different folkways.

• For example, in Western cultures people eat with silverware whereas in Southeast Asia eating with hands is very common.

Mores

• Mores are the norms of morality seen as central to the functioning of society.

• We have to maintain these conventions of society if we are going to get along with one another.

Examples of Cultural Differences

In this section, the speaker provides examples of cultural differences related to values, norms, folkways and mores.

Values

• In Asia discipline, hard work,

frugality are very valued.

• In Europe there's a value for humanistic thinking and rationality.

• The Middle East really values loyalty,duty,honor,hospitality.

Norms

• In some parts of China and Taiwan burping after eating is complimentary.

• In the US and other Western cultures eye contact is maintained when talking with others whereas in Asia they might avert eyes when speaking with others to not seem so aggressive.

Folkways

• In Western cultures people eat with silverware whereas in Southeast Asia eating with hands is very common.

• In the US it's impolite to burp after eating, whereas in some parts of China and Taiwan burping after eating is complimentary.

Mores

• Here in the US where drug abuse, dishonesty are seen as immoral and central to functioning of society.

Conclusion

The speaker concludes by emphasizing that culture is amoral and that we should try our best to set aside our biases and understand that different cultures have different values, norms, folkways, and mores.

Mores, Taboos, and Cultural Relativism

In this section, the speaker discusses the concepts of mores and taboos in different cultures. The speaker also explores the idea of cultural relativism and its relationship with universal human rights.

Mores and Taboos

• Mores are not universal across cultures.

• Taboos are behaviors considered abhorrent and absolutely forbidden.

• Examples of taboos include incest, cannibalism, and bestiality.

• Eating dog or horse is taboo in the US but is acceptable in some parts of Asia or France.

Cultural Relativism vs Universal Human Rights

• Cultural relativism is permitting international norms to override the dictates of culture and religion.

• Universal human rights apply to all countries and must prevail even when they are in conflict with cultural or religious practices.

• There's a dissonance between these two ideas that can be difficult to reconcile.

Acceptance

In this section, the speaker talks about acceptance towards other cultures.

Accepting Other Cultures

• The speaker likes to think that he is very accepting towards other cultures.

Cultural Values and Hofstede's Framework

In this section, the speaker discusses cultural values and how they compare across different countries using Hofstede's Framework. The framework looks at six different cultural values: power distance, individualism, masculinity, uncertainty avoidance, long-term orientation, and indulgence.

Power Distance

• Power distance is the extent to which the less powerful members of a society accept and expect that power is distributed unequally.

• Malaysia scored 100 in power distance indicating that they are very comfortable with unequal distribution of power. On the other hand, Israel scored 13 indicating that they are not comfortable with uneven distribution of power.

• United States scores 40 in power distance.

Individualism vs Collectivism

• Individualism is preferred in the United States while China practices strong collectivism.

• Japan is a very masculine country while France is more feminine.

Masculinity and Femininity

• Masculinity refers to traditional masculine values while femininity refers to traditional feminine values.

• The speaker thinks that these terms can be distracting from Hofstede's main point.

Communication Styles Across Cultures

In this section, the speaker discusses communication styles across cultures. He talks about high-context versus low-context communication styles and direct versus indirect communication styles.

High-context vs Low-context Communication Styles

• High-context communication style relies on context cues such as body language or tone of voice to convey meaning while low-context communication style relies on explicit verbal messages.

• Examples of high-context cultures include Japan and China while examples of low-context cultures include the United States and Germany.

Direct vs Indirect Communication Styles

• Direct communication style is straightforward and explicit while indirect communication style relies on context cues to convey meaning.

• Examples of direct cultures include the United States and Germany while examples of indirect cultures include Japan and China.

Masculine vs Feminine Cultures

This section discusses the differences between masculine and feminine cultures.

Work Ethic

• Masculine cultures prefer higher pay and are more work-oriented.

• Feminine cultures prefer fewer work hours and value a better work-life balance.

Gender Roles

• In masculine cultures, boys don't cry and girls don't fight.

• In feminine cultures, both boys and girls are allowed to cry, but neither fights.

Attitude Towards Failure

• Failing is seen as a disaster in traditionally masculine cultures, while it's considered a minor incident in feminine cultures.

Uncertainty Avoidance

This section discusses how different cultures handle ambiguity.

Comfort with Ambiguity

• Some countries like Japan are comfortable working with ambiguity.

• Other countries like Malaysia prefer more structure and want to know what's expected of them.

Long-term vs Short-term Orientation

This section discusses how different societies view time orientation.

Future Planning

• China has a long-term orientation where they make plans that will come to fruition in 30 years or more.

• The US has a short-term orientation where corporations focus on quarterly earnings reports rather than long-term planning.

Indulgence vs Restraint

This section discusses how different cultures view indulgence and restraint.

Enjoyment of Life

• The US has a high level of indulgence, while China can put off enjoyment of life for a greater future.

• Furthermore, China does this with a collectivist mindset.

Low-context vs High-context Cultures

This section discusses the differences between low-context and high-context cultures.

Communication Styles

• Low-context cultures are logical, linear, individualistic, and action-oriented.

• High-context cultures tend to be more indirect and rely on nonverbal cues to communicate effectively.

Low-context and High-context Cultures

This section discusses the differences between low-context and high-context cultures in terms of communication.

Communication Styles

• Low-context cultures prioritize getting straight to the point and solving problems directly, while high-context cultures are more relational, collectivist, intuitive, and contemplative.

• High-context cultures use formal language loaded with implied meaning rather than explicit direct meaning.

• Communication in high-context cultures cannot be understood outside the context around the situation.

Problem-Solving Approaches

• High-context cultures work on the periphery of an issue to solve it without addressing it directly. Calling attention to a problem directly is a sign of disrespect and may cause others to lose face.

Challenges in Cross-Cultural Communication

• Low-context communicators struggle to communicate effectively with high context communicators, and vice versa.

• High context communicators may view low context communicators as lacking finesse or style.

M-Time vs P-Time

This section discusses how different cultures perceive time differently.

Monochronic Time (M-Time)

• M-Time is common in low-context cultures such as the United States. Time is something to be parsed out, measured, and managed because time is money.

• People in M-Time cultures often complain that somebody is always late. It's impolite to be late.

Polychronic Time (P-Time)

• P-Time is common in high context cultures where time is something to be savored and invested in the building of relationships.

• P-Time cultures might complain that somebody is always prompt.

Examples

• In some Arab cultures, it's considered polite to be about 15 to 20 minutes late. In Germany, if you're not 15 minutes early, you're late.

Pace of Life

This section discusses how different cultures have different paces of life.

Study on Pace of Life

• A study was done by researcher Levine to look at the walking speed of a culture, how fast the post office does its job, and how accurate the clocks are in a given culture.

Walking Speed, Postal Service, and Clock Accuracy in Different Countries

In this section, the speaker discusses the walking speed, postal service, and clock accuracy of different countries.

United States

• We ranked number six in the world for walking speed.

• The post office is slow and ranked 23rd.

• Public clocks are not very accurate.

Switzerland

• They are third in walking speed.

• Their postal service is number two in the study.

• Public clocks are highly accurate due to their reputation as a watchmaking country.

Mexico

• Ranked 17th for walking speed.

• Postal service is slower than that of the United States.

• Public clocks are less accurate than those of the United States at 26th place.

Culture Shock and How to Work Through It

In this section, the speaker talks about cultural differences and culture shock.

Cultural Differences

• There are many cultural differences between countries that can make people uncomfortable.

• Some cultural differences can cause culture shock when they conflict with our expectations or values.

Culture Shock

• Culture shock is inevitable when encountering new cultures but can be problematic if it becomes too severe.

Working Through Culture Shock

• Culture shock starts with the expectation that everyone is like us.

• Emotional responses such as fear, anger, and disrespect can occur when encountering cultural differences.

Understanding Cultural Divides

In this section, the speaker talks about how we react to cultural divides and how it can lead to false attribution of behavior. The speaker also suggests a better way to approach cultural differences.

Reacting to Cultural Divides

• It is normal to feel an emotional response when we see a cultural divide.

• We tend to create false attribution about their behavior based on fear and disrespect.

• This leads us to look at their culture as somehow uncivilized and our culture as the beacon of all things righteous.

• We discount them and withdraw from engagement, leading to international problems.

A Better Way

• Become aware of our reaction and reflect on the causes of our emotions.

• Let emotions subside and observe and decode the cultural differences in the situation.

• Develop culturally appropriate expectations so that we are no longer caught off guard by different behaviors.

Overall, understanding cultural divides requires us to be aware of our reactions, reflect on the causes of our emotions, let emotions subside, observe and decode cultural differences, and develop culturally appropriate expectations.

Cultural Differences

In this section, the speaker talks about how we can continue to have a relationship with people from different cultures and respect their differences.

Respecting Cultural Differences

• We can continue to have a relationship with people from different cultures.

• It is important to work together and respect each other's differences.

• We don't have to agree with each other, but we can still show respect for cultural differences.

Conclusion

The speaker concludes the talk by congratulating the audience on a fantastic job.

Final Thoughts

• The speaker congratulates the audience on a fantastic job.