GEB-3213 Lecture Notes - Lecture 16: Zakat, Shahada, Dharma
Document Summary
Asking questions is key way to gain most useful level of understanding. The answers help business people why their foreign counterparts think, believe, and act the way they do. Business culture exists within the larger culture of a society, but it does not include everything from the general culture; rather they only use what is helpful in regards to business transactions. There are four main dimensions in which countries differ culturally: Individualism vs. collectivism- most widely researched, emphasizes individual achievements and rights vs. the group"s achievements and rights. Power distance- degree to which less powerful members of an organization tolerate the unequal distribution of power. Uncertainty avoidance vs. uncertainty tolerance- tendency to behave as to minimize unforeseen consequences vs. behavior that is less concerned with unforeseen consequences. Masculinity vs. femininity- cultures that value assertiveness, competitiveness, and material success vs. valuing collaboration, nurturing, and harmony. Five categories of questions that focus on values in a culture.
