Managing in a global context : How managers can overcome problems arising from cultural differences of employees?

Résumé du document

According to the United Nation Statistics in 2003, the globe constitutes of approximately 226 countries. All these nations have their own culture. this can be more or less similar from one country to another. However, it creates a multitude of differences between individuals that managers have to manage effectively because of the current context of globalization. In fact, the development of trade, the globalization of markets, and various cross-border alliances... confronted organizations to blend daily with cultural differences and diverse workforce. Cultural diversity can be both: an asset to the team, to the organization and paradoxically also an impediment because of incomprehension like misinterpretation, difficult relationship among employees, etc. This report deals with the actual phenomenon of cultural differences and the difficulties caused by it that need to be managed in organizations; it will also express means and advices to forecast this issue successfully.

Extraits

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[...] Weak uncertainty avoidance Few and general laws and rules If rules cannot be respected, they should be changed Citizen competence versus authorities Citizen protest acceptable Citizens positive towards institutions Citizens positive towards political process Tolerance, moderation Positive attitudes towards young people Regionalism, internationalism, attempts at integration of minorities Belief in generalist and common sense Many nurses, few doctors One group's truth should not be imposed on others Human rights: nobody should be persecuted for their beliefs In philosophy and science, tendency towards relativism and empiricism Scientific opponents can be personal friends Strong uncertainty avoidance Many and precise laws and rules If rules cannot be respected, we are sinners and should repent Citizen incompetence versus authorities Citizen protest should be repressed Citizen negative towards institutions Civil servants negative towards political process Conservatism, extremist, law and order Negative attitudes towards young people Nationalism, xenophobia, repression of minorities Belief in experts and specialization Many doctors, few nurses There is only one Truth and we have it Religious, political, and ideological fundamentalism and intolerance In philosophy and science, tendency towards grand theories Scientific opponents cannot be personal friends Hofstede, G. (1991) Cultures and Organizations. New York: McGraw Hill, p The most famous researcher about cultural differences is Hofstede with his study about national and corporate cultures in IBM with employees from 72 countries in 10 languages. [...]

[...] The company in order to globalise the learning: its philosophy (quality control, service, cleanliness and cheap prices) decided to created a University a 9 months training programme- in Chicago for all managers. Thus, the learning is global and Americanized, not matter cultural diversity. How managing cultural differences effectively Admittedly, cultural differences can be difficult to manage, but there are some advices, means which can avoid some problems and create a spirit of cohesion within an organisation. In fact, for example nowadays, a British can managed a Pilipino in an American company . [...]