Cultural Profiles for Effective Workplace Communication in New Zealand

Résumé du document

Since time immemorial, human beings have been communicating through a multitude of channels, expressing themselves in different languages, sharing ideas and discovering faraway foreign cultures. However it seems that, despite all these new developments and technologies wherein, communication is made easier and more effective, some rules have to be considered as far as cross cultural communication is concerned. Indeed, Geert Hofstede has highlighted five dimensions of cultural differences providing us with a better understanding of the culture itself and thus also allowing us to communicate in a more efficient manner. The country under consideration in this dimensional era is New Zealand. First and foremost, New Zealand is said to have a low power distance. This results in the hierarchical structure in the country being less strong thereby preferring a more egalitarian system. Following this concept, New Zealanders place and base values on independence and integrity. In this situation, the employee can be expected to have his/her say in decision making and serve in the capacity of a consultative leader. In this role as a consultative leader, the employee can participate in settlements throughout the business cycle. Nevertheless, most of the decisions are individually made especially in conditions where the management is authoritative and competition among the employees is current.

Extraits

[...] They dare trying innovative ways of doing things or try new methods to solve problems and are not affraid of changing plans at the last minute; they are flexible and adapt themselves to the situation quite easily. (Cross Cultural Understanding, 2006) Tips for doing business in New Zealand Hofstede, Adler and Graham use to argue that negotiators involved in global businesses can increase their cultural knowledge by looking into how cultures are different from one another. Therefore it is worth acknowledging how to behave in front of such or such situation. First of all, being on time or even early for an appointment is more than appreciated since punctuality is part of New Zealand's culture. [...]

[...] They are what they do. Thus people are judged, measured by how successful they are. If someone has a powerful position it is because he has work hard for it and deserves it. For example seniors would have won their status not because of their age but for the reason that thanks to their experience they have achieved more. (Wright, 2009) As far as respect is concerned, an employee is respectful towards his or her superior since he is considered to be preferment in his job thanks to his adequate knowledge rather than his status of ancientness in the company. [...]

[...] As far as decisions and incentives are concerned, they are both delegated to the individual. They consider society not as something as above them but as a collection of individuals.(Wright, 2009) Besides, community is judged by how it assists the individuals' interests. They appear to be self confident, decision- makers and rely upon their own efforts and hard work rather than the others. They achieve alone and assume personally responsibilities. In business, they aim at quick deals, focused on the “here and rather than the “there and then”. [...]

[...] As far as business is concerned, Universalists tend to expose and understand “rational”, logic and relevant arguments. Unfortunately, new Zealanders don't pay attention to relationships in doing business, sometimes at their detriment. (Wright, 2009) Every contract is definitive and the other part has to honor his words and provide what it has promised to do: deal is a deal”. Also, lawyers are often introduced in negotiations, they would represent the institution and will protect the truth and will check that every clause is respected. [...]

[...] Thus this very perception will affect our everyday life. Edwards T. Hall highlighted a range of time perception going from the monochronic which is a succession of past experiences, to the polychronic representing the idea of past linked events forming both present and future occurrences. As far as New Zealanders are concerned, they tend to schedule everything and deal with one thing at a time. However, their motto “time is money” could lead them to an obsession. In business, managers set up and organize their employees' objectives, highlighting landmarks that have to be reached at a given time. [...]