This new book explores the recent issue of cross-cultural management from both theoretical and research perspectives. It considers the impact of knowledge, experience, and exposure of cross-cultural differences in developing a global viewpoint and citizenship in the corporate workplace. The volume throws light on the emerging concepts of building global citizens who are willing to think beyond boundaries of place, identity, and category, and to recognize all human beings as their equals while respecting humanity’s inherent diversity. The effective use of cross-cultural teams can provide a source of experience and innovative thinking to enhance the competitive position of organizations. However, cultural differences can interfere with the successful completion of goals in today’s multicultural global business community. To achieve project goals and avoid cultural misunderstandings, managers should be culturally sensitive and promote creativity and motivation through flexible leadership. The chapter authors in this volume look at these challenges by reviewing and conducting empirical studies, roundtables, and focus discussions. The volume tackles a variety of issues, including enterprise resource planning (ERP), talent management, differences in individual work performances, differences in leadership styles, virtual work relationships, and much more. It looks at the challenges in establishing crosscultural workplaces, such as the overcoming significant barriers in multi-cultural project communications and motivating project team members.
With the new realities of global interconnectedness comes a greater awareness of cultural diversity from place to place. Besides differences in food and fashion, we face significant contrasts of cultural orientation and patterns of thinking. As we travel across cultures, what should we expect? How do we deal with culture shock? And can we truly connect with those we meet? Experienced cross - cultural specialist Duane Elmer provides a compass for navigating through different cultures. He shows us how to avoid pitfalls and cultural faux pas, as well as how to make the most of opportunities to build cross - cultural relationships. Filled with real - life illustrations and practical exercises, this guide offers the tools needed to reduce apprehension, communicate effectively, and establish genuine trust and acceptance. Above all, Elmer demonstrates how we can avoid being cultural imperialists and instead become authentic ambassadors for Christ. Whether you are embarking on a short - term mission trip or traveling for business or pleasure, this book is both an ideal preparation and a handy companion for your journey.
This study focuses on the many dimensions of cultural intelligence (CQ); during the study, a detailed framework of CQ Dimensions was constructed that later was used to create a Cultural Exposure Assessment. In today's increasingly global business environment, CQ is important as it has been proven that employees with higher levels of CQ perform better in cross-cultural business relationships. For businesses, using such employees strengthens cross-cultural relationships, builds trust, increases communication effectiveness, and can have a direct and positive impact on the overall success of such endeavors. The research is based on the work of Kerri A. Crown in her study entitled “What Leads to Cultural Intelligence” published by Harvard Business School Publishing. The results of her research revealed that an individual's number and types of foreign travel experiences have a direct correlation with their overall cultural intelligence. She also determined that the quality and the depth of such experiences were also a contributor but their measure warranted further research. This paper will discuss CQ and its many facets along with the methodology and tools developed to arrive at the study's results. The appendix will also include several helpful documents along with the developed Cultural Exposure Assessment in hopes that the research can later be expanded upon.
Cultural differences can cause problems. In this book, the author details a workshop she conducted and the lessons learned in Vecinos (broadly defined as “neighbors”) experiences in New Mexico that addressed these problems. The themes explored were crucial: the power of names, the tri-cultural trap, culture and cultures, stereotypes, heritage, values, racism, communications, conflict, bridges, and more. Though the focus is on relationships, the implication is that these relationships will lead to action and alliances as everyone works together on community and individuals’ problems. Some of the text is “commentary,” introducing a theme or reflecting on some of its manifestations. Illustrative stories are sometimes included to add to the account. A large part of the book is devoted to quotations more or less intact, by individuals that reveal perspectives on some of the larger issues dealt with. Although there are plenty of resources—books, documentaries, articles, films—the author states that they must not substitute for contact with real people. Included also are many timeless tips about dealing with cross-cultural contacts. The author hopes that this book will help increase the reader’s awareness, comfort and effectiveness in their own intercultural associations, and lead to warm, enriching friendships for many years.
Through insightful articles, the founders of Cultural Diversity Group explore the cultural lenses of the world, how Americans interact with those from other cultures, and how we can use our cultural differences to develop better relationships.Which culture is the "best?" Which group has life figured out, and which is still evolving? Who has it right, and why doesn't everyone else follow suit? Without understanding and appreciating cultural differences, we might have preconceptions about the answers to these questions, when there really is no right answer. Syed Zafar and Joyce Sauter explore such preconceptions in a series of articles on cultural awareness, diversity, and differences that shape our world and our interactions with others. By taking a closer look at the varying cultures of the world, they open readers' eyes to the differences that make us unique and steps we can take to recognize, appreciate, and accept the cultures we come across. In our globally connected world, it is more important than ever to expand our horizons and, as Syed says, "learn how to treat others as they would like to be treated." Each article focuses on a different aspect of culture to weave a seamless narrative of awareness, understanding, and appreciation. Think Americans don't have a culture? Think again. Think time is the same for everyone, everywhere? Not so. Does the Golden Rule still apply when "how you would like to be treated" means different things to different people? In addition to answering these questions, Syed and Joyce cover topics such as: Developing cultural awareness in a country where culture is often synonymous with alien Communication styles across high-context and low-context cultures, and how direct versus indirect communication styles affect relationships Individualism in American culture and how it translates (or fails to) in other cultures The relationship with nature as it varies across cultures The concept of formality and how American informality is perceived globally At the end of the book, you'll also find a recommended reading list to continue exploring cultural differences and hone your communication techniques. Hundreds of cultures have been shaped over the centuries, and to each one, their way of living is the only way they know. When we view other cultures as wrong, backward, or unevolved, we fail to appreciate that they have a perspective of life we've never seen. By examining and understanding cultural differences, we can not only enrich our cross-cultural relationships, we can also enhance our own lives. If you're ready to push away preconceptions and have your eyes opened to the world's cultures, click "add to cart."
Robin Goodwin draws together research from across the world to explore how fundamental differences in cultural values influence the ways in which we form romantic relationships, raise our children, and communicate with our wider social networks.
This ambitious volume integrates findings from various disciplines in a comprehensive description of the modern research on love and provides a systematic review of love experience and expression from cross-cultural perspective. It explores numerous interdisciplinary topics, bringing together research in biological and social sciences to explore love, probing the cross-cultural similarities and differences in the feelings, thoughts, and expressions of love. The book’s scope, which includes a review of major theories and key research instruments, provides a comprehensive background for any reader interested in developing an enlightened understanding of the cultural diversity in the concepts, experience, and expression of love. Included among the chapters: How do people in different cultures conceptualize love? How similar and different are the experiences and expressions of love across cultures? What are the cultural factors affecting the experience and expression of love? Cross-cultural understanding of love as passion, joy, commitment, union, respect, submission, intimacy, dependency, and more. A review of the past and looking into the future of cross-cultural love research. Critical reading for our global age, Cross-Cultural Perspectives on the Experience and Expression of Love promotes a thorough understanding of cross-cultural similarities and differences in love, and in so doing is valuable not only for love scholars, emotion researchers, and social psychologists, but also for practitioners and clinicians working with multicultural couples and families. “The most striking feature of this book is the broad array of perspectives that is covered. Love is portrayed as a universally found emotion with biological underpinnings. The text expands from this core, incorporating a wide range of manifestations of love: passion, admiration of and submission to a partner, gift giving and benevolence, attachment and trust, etc. Information on each topic comes from a variety of sources, cross-culturally and interdisciplinary. The text is integrative with a focus on informational value of ideas and findings. If you take an interest in how love in its broadest sense is experienced and expressed, you will find this to be a very rich text.” Ype H. Poortinga, Tilburg University, The Netherlands & Catholic University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium “In this wide-ranging book, Victor Karandashev expertly guides us through the dazzling complexity of our concept and experience of love. Not only does he show the many different ingredients that make up our conceptions of love in particular cultures, such as idealization of the beloved, commitment, union, intimacy, friendship, and others, he draws our attention to the bewildering array of differences between their applications in different cultural contexts, or to their presence or absence in a culture. In reading the book, we also get as a bonus an idea of how an elusive concept such as love can be scientifically studied by a variety of methodologies – all to our benefit. A masterful accomplishment.” Kövecses Zoltán, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary “Long considered a research purview of only a portion of the world’s cultures, we know today that love is universal albeit with many cultural differences in meaning, form, and expression. Moreover, love has a rich history of scholarship across multiple disciplines. Within this backdrop, Karandashev has compiled a remarkably comprehensive global review of how people experience and express their emotions in love. Covering the topic from a truly international and interdisciplinary perspective, this book is an indispensable source of knowledge about cultural and cross-cultural studies conducted in recent decades and is a must read for anyone interested in the universal and culturally diverse aspects of love.” David Matsumoto, San Francisco State University, Director of SFSU’s Culture and Emotion Research Laboratory
Chock-full of fun exercises, surprising tips, and real-world case examples, this book provides practical, hands-on strategies for connecting with people across differences related to ethnicity, religion, nationality, sexual orientation, disability, age, gender, and class. Since cross-cultural relationships add a level of difficulty to all the usual relationship challenges, this book will be applicable for almost every relationship you may encounter.
