Cross culture and diversity

management

BY:
SANIYA AGGARWAL
RADHIKA SHARMA
MANIKA JASWAL
SAHIL SHARMA

INTRODUCTION
We know that we are living in a global age.

Technology has brought everyone much closer

together. This means that people of different cultures
find themselves working together and
communicating more and more.
This is exciting, but it can also be frustrating and
fraught with uncertainty. How do you relate to
someone of another culture? What do you say, or not
say, to start a conversation right? Are there cultural
taboos that you need to be aware of?

DIVERSITY
Diversity means understanding that each

individual is unique, and recognizing our individual

differences.
There are differences among employees and that
these differences, if properly managed, are an asset
to work being done more efficiently and effectively.
Examples of diversity factors are race, culture,
ethnicity, gender, age, a disability and work
experience

Importance of Diversity
Diversity factors are to be understood and

respected.
Developing a self-concept is an individual
responsibility.
Everyone is to contribute positively for group
dynamics and successful outcome
Hence, awareness about the others culture
becomes imperative .

CULTURE
Culture can be defined as the acquired knowledge

that people use to interpret experiences and generate

social behaviour.
It is important to recognize that culture is learned
and helps people in their efforts to interact and
communicate with others in the society.
When placed in a culture where values and beliefs
are different, some people have a great deal of
difficulty adjusting

IMPORTANCE
First, it captures how the members of the society live

for instance, how they feed, clothe, and shelter

themselves.
Second, it explains how members behave toward
each other and with other groups.
Third, it defines the beliefs and values of members
and how they perceive the meaning of life.

Hofstedes Cultural Dimensions

Power distance(PD)

This refers to the degree of inequality that exists and is accepted

among people with and without power.

Uncertainty
avoidance(UAI)

This relates to the degree of anxiety that society members feel when
in uncertain or unknown situations.

Individualism(IDV)

This refers to the strength of the ties people have to others within the
community. A high IDV score indicates loose connections

Masculinity(MAS)

This refers to how much a society sticks with, and values, traditional
male and female roles. High.

Long term
orientations(LOS)

This refers to how much society values long-standing as opposed to

short-term traditions and values.

IMPORTANCE
Cultural norms play a large part in the mechanics and

interpersonal relationships of the workplace. When

you grow up in a culture, you take your norms of
behaviour for granted. You don't have to think about
your reactions, preferences, and feelings.
When you step into a foreign culture, suddenly things
seem different. You don't know what to do or say.
Using Hofstede's Cultural Dimensions as a starting
point, you can evaluate your approach, your decisions,
and actions based on a general sense of how the
society might think and react to you.

ADVANTAGES OF DIVERSE CULTURE IN THE WORKFORCE

Improved Morale
Broader Perspective
Global Impact
Community Relationships

HOW CROSS-CULTURE DIFFERENCES MAY COMPLICATE

WORKPLACE ISSUES

Teamwork
Lifetime employment
Pay-for-performance system
Union-Management relationships
Attitudes towards ambiguity

BARRIERS TO CULTURAL ADAPTATIONS

Parochialism
Individualism
Ethnocentrism
Cultural Distance
Cultural Shock

OVERCOMING BARRIERS TO CULTURAL ADAPTATIONS

Careful Selection
Compatible Assignments
Pre-departure Training
Orientation and support in the new country
Incentives and Guarantees
Preparation for re-entry

India

Saudi Arabia

CULTURE

Democratic

Based on Islam

WORKING
HOURS

10:00 AM4:00PM

10:00- 1:00 PM
and
4:00 8:00 PM

HOLIDAYS

Saturday and
Sunday

Thursday and
Friday

PROMOTION

Based on Age
and Seniority

Based on Age

India

Saudi Arabia

HANDSHAKE

Women offers
first in most
business
meetings.

Man offers
his hand first
while shaking
hands with
woman.

BUSINESS
CARDS

In English
only

English and
Arabic.

GIFTS

Don't offer
alcohol to a
Muslim or
beef to a
Hindu.

Dont offer
alcohol pork,
knives
pigskin,
perfumes
with alcohol.

Case
An American Company that manufactures golf balls

packaged the balls in packs of four.

They were successful and began selling
internationally.
However they were not so successful in Japan.
Reason???????

Answer
In Japan number four holds the meaning of death
And learning?????

Learning
If you want your businesses to succeed

internationally, cultural sensitivity must be

at the heart of everything

THANK YOU