Culture in the Workplace
Segment 1: Special Assignment
Culture in the Workplace
(Text Ref 62-66)
Allow 4 hours to complete this assignment
(I provide word guidance throughout this assignment. These are not absolute standards. I do not count words. I provide this guidance to help you gauge how much detail I am expecting)
Understanding a country’s culture is an essential first step when taking on an overseas assignment. Chapter 2 dealt extensively with this subject, including providing you two frameworks that will help you define the culture of a country—the Kluckhohn-Strodtbeck (K-S) framework and Hofstede’s Cultural Profile.
This assignment will give you the opportunity to apply these frameworks and help you better understand how culture can impact business policy. Follow the directions carefully to complete every part of the assignment.
Step 1: Carefully re-read the section of the text that deals with Workplace Culture (pp 62-66). Each of the two frameworks has six dimensions. Be sure you understand what each dimension is describing. Much of this is not intuitive. The developers have very specific cultural characteristics they measured and classified under these six cultural characteristics.
Step 2: Looking closely at the 6 characteristics for these two frameworks—what similarities do you see between the two (75 words)?
How do they differ (75words)?
Step 3: Select two countries, Country A is your country of origin (most will be the USA). International students should select their home country. Country B should be a country you are interested in visiting or working in some day. Compare the two using the Hofstede framework. The data on most countries can be found on the website referenced for Chart 2.2 in the text. Complete the chart below:
| COUNTRY | INV | PD | UA | MAS | LTO | IND |
| A (USA) | 91 | 40 | 46 | 62 | 26 | 68 |
| B (Spain) | 51 | 57 | 86 | 42 | 48 | 44 |
| Difference (A-B) | 41 | -17 | -20 | 20 | -22 | 24 |
* NOTE: While you are exploring this website, watch the videos on each dimension posted by Dr. Hofstede. Those videos will help provide you the insight you need to complete the rest of this assignment well.
Focus in on the Hofstede Dimensions with major differences between the two countries (+/- 10 or more).
- Explain how your country of interest (B) is different culturally from your home country (50 words per dimension with major differences).
- What implications do these differences have in terms of management policies and why you believe this to be the case? Consider:
- Hiring and promotions
- Community involvement
- Work/life balance (maternity leave, etc.)
- Company celebrations/customer entertainment
- Decision making (autocratic vs. collaborative…. slow or quick)
- Incentive pay (group/team incentives vs. Individual incentive
- Benefits
- Any others you feel would be impacted.
Cover 3 policies (75 words each)
HINT… I am looking for critical thinking here. The ability to apply these framework concepts accurately is an indication of how well you have learned them.
Important Note on Grading: I will grade this assignment based on content and clarity of written expression. I advise you to review the two written communication guidelines provided with the syllabus in the BEGIN HERE section of Canvas. They will be used as an objective source for evaluating your written communication.
| Grade | Explanation of Grade |
| A 90-100 | Work demonstrates superior and accurate understanding of the concepts analyzed and superior research effort. Written communication is flawless. Sentence and paragraph structure clear and rely mainly on simple declarative sentences. Strong evidence of multiple rewrites before submission. Policy recommendations demonstrate excellent ability to apply concepts. |
| B 80- 89 | Work demonstrates a good understanding of the concepts presented. Some minor areas of confusion noted. Written communication is good but would have benefited from additional editing before submission. Policy recommendations demonstrate particularly good ability to apply concepts using critical thinking skills. |
| C 70-79 | Work demonstrates a cursory understanding of the concepts presented. Meaningful misunderstanding noted. Little evidence of additional research to improve understanding of the concepts. Written communication demonstrated little understanding of the guidelines provided. Little evidence of editing and rewriting. Insufficient time devoted to this project. |
| D 60-69 | Assignment submitted was incomplete and demonstrated lack of any significant effort. |
| F 0 | No Assignment submitted or submitted late |
