3.1 Discussion: Individualist/Collectivist Assessment (Part B)

Getting Started

Note: This is Part B of a two-week discussion forum. In the previous workshop, you made an initial post; in this workshop, you will respond to the posts of your classmates and will post a summary of your new learning. You and your classmates must pace yourselves to complete the discussion fully within the time allotted.

In this discussion, you will examine Hofstede’s national culture dimensions related to the concepts of “individualism” and “collectivism.” There is an important nexus where one’s sense of individualism, characterized by the person’s unique background and worldview, meets collectivism, where the person’s sensibilities give priority to norms of a group. Illustrative of this intersection between individualism and collectivism is a quote by Vince Lombardi, famous NFL coach, who once said, “Individual commitment to a group effort—that is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work.” 

You will complete a self-assessment and will compare results with your classmates. You will use your familial background as a lens which to view customs and rituals that drive your sense of individualism or collectivism.

Upon successful completion of this discussion, you will be able to:

• Examine theoretical concepts of business globalization and culture.
• Analyze the impact of cultural differences on business decision making and strategic planning.

Resources

• Website: Individualism/Collectivism Scale Self-Assessment

Instructions

1. Review the rubric to make sure you understand the criteria for earning your grade.
2. Review your Individualism/Collectivism Scale Self-Assessment. https://tools.mheducation.ca/college/mcshane4/student/olc/4obm_sa_07.html
3. By the end of this workshop, respond to at least two of your classmates.
   1. Consider their reflection on the self-assessment results and application of Hofstede’s descriptions of individualism and collectivism.
   2. Offer critical evaluation or add clarity to the posts of your classmates.
   3. Where applicable, respectfully offer alternate perspectives and provide additional clarifying commentary to add to the discussion.
4. Each response should be at least 150 words.

=====================================================================

3.2 Discussion: SWOT Analysis (Part B)

Getting Started

Note: This is Part B of a two-week discussion forum. In the previous workshop, you made an initial post; in this workshop, you will respond to the posts of your classmates and will post a summary of your new learning. You and your classmates must pace yourselves to complete the discussion fully within the time allotted.

In this discussion, you will develop a SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) analysis (on yourself), which is a strategic planning technique used to help a person or organization identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats related to business competition or project planning. You will utilize a critical analysis on your SWOT and share your findings using group dynamics.

Upon successful completion of this discussion, you will be able to:

• Recognize multicultural competency as a necessary skill for managerial success.
• Analyze the impact of cultural differences on business decision making and strategic planning.

Resources

• File: SWOT analysis template
• Website: Zoom

Background Information

You have been interviewing with a Fortune 100 company for a position in its international division. If you are successful in attaining the position, you will be given a career opportunity in the country of your choice. Prior to attending your final interviews, the company’s VP of Human Resources asks you to prepare a SWOT analysis on your career potential. Your SWOT analysis will be evaluated by the company based on two criteria: (1) whether you can envision the opportunities that exist in the international arena and whether you have acquired the strengths to meet those opportunities, and (2) the honesty and self-awareness you demonstrate by your assessment of your weaknesses. Each quadrant (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) should contain three bullet points.

Instructions

1. Review the rubric to make sure you understand the criteria for earning your grade.
2. Download the SWOT analysis template.
3. Review the SWOT analysis on yourself. 
4. By the end of this workshop, read and critically respond to at least one of your classmates’ group Zoom recordings.
5. Each response should be at least 150 words.

===========================================

3.4 Discussion: Developing a Cultural Map (Part A)

Getting Started

This is a two-week discussion. Your initial post is due by the end of Workshop Three. You will then engage in dialogue with your classmates in at least three discussion threads (one of which is your initial post) and will post a summary of your new knowledge for each of the three discussion threads. While your interactions are not due until the end of Workshop Four, you should be prepared to engage in the discussion throughout both workshops.

In this discussion, you will examine Hofstede’s national culture dimensions related to the concepts of “uncertainty avoidance.” Uncertainty avoidance is not a risk of avoidance but deals with ambiguity (10 Minutes with, 2015). As a cultural manager you will work with people from various backgrounds that will test your cultural competency. This week you will create a cultural map using SmartArt located in Microsoft Word and will compare maps with your classmates.

Reference

10 minutes with. (2015, March 7). 10 minutes with Geert Hofstede on uncertainty avoidance 01032015 [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZF6LyGne7Q&feature=emb_logo

Upon successful completion of this discussion, you will be able to:

• Develop a cultural map using SmartArt.
• Determine points of tensions between your cultures and other cultures.
• Defend multicultural competency as a necessary skill for managerial success.

Resources

• Video: 10 Minutes with Geert Hofstede on Uncertainty Avoidance 
• Video: The right way to ask questions about your colleague’s race 
• File: Cultural Map

Instructions

1. Review the rubric to make sure you understand the criteria for earning your grade.
2. Watch the video “10 Minutes with Geert Hofstede on Uncertainty Avoidance.”
3. Watch the video “The right way to ask questions about your colleague’s race.” 
4. Download, review, and answer the questions located in the Cultural Map document.
5. Navigate to the discussion below and post a substantive response answering the questions below (a–e). Once you have answered the questions, create a mapping diagram using SmartArt located in Microsoft Word to demonstrate your cultural competency.
   1. List all of the various cultures that you belong to (or that have influenced the way you communicate). There are no right or wrong answers. You can identify any and all cultures (as we have defined that term) that make sense to you.
   2. Graphically “map” all of the cultures in terms of their importance in your life now and their relation to each other. You can use any format you wish to map things. You may use different geometric shapes for various cultures, different sizes, etc.
   3. Draw points of tension between your cultures. Which cultures tend to have norms for behavior that differ? That conflict? Which cultures are most in tension in this way? Draw arrows or other indicators to show that.
   4. Which of these cultural tensions are most likely to cause you internal conflict?
   5. Which of these cultural tensions are most likely to cause conflict with others?
6. Your initial response (map) is due by the end of Workshop Three.
7. Your initial response is due by the end of Workshop Three.
8. You will respond to your classmates in the 4.2 Discussion: Developing a Cultural Map (Part B).

===============================================================

3.3 Discussion: Uncertainty Avoidance (Part A)

Getting Started

This is a two-week discussion. Your initial post is due by the end of Workshop Three. You will then engage in dialogue with your classmates in at least three discussion threads (one of which is your initial post) and will post a summary of your new knowledge for each of the three discussion threads. While your interactions are not due until the end of Workshop Four, you should be prepared to engage in the discussion throughout both workshops.

Hofstede’s “uncertainty avoidance” dimension provides a relative ranking of tolerance for ambiguity and risk. Societies characterized by higher uncertainty avoidance are less tolerant of vague situations and more averse to risk. Countries with lower uncertainty avoidance, such as the United States, tend to be more open to ambiguity and accepting risk. In the workplace environment where employee teams are often comprised of those with mixed cultural backgrounds, an understanding as to the role of uncertainty avoidance on team behavior will better equip organizational leaders (10 minutes with, 2015).

Reference

10 minutes with. (2015, March 7). 10 minutes with Geert Hofstede on uncertainty avoidance 01032015 [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZF6LyGne7Q&feature=emb_logo

Upon successful completion of this discussion, you will be able to:

• Articulate the relationship between uncertainty avoidance and the propensity to trust.
• Determine the impact of uncertainty avoidance on an organization’s innovation.

Resources

• Webpage: The Role of Cultural Differences in Business Communications
• Webpage: On Avoiding Uncertainty

Instructions

1. Review the rubric to make sure you understand the criteria for earning your grade.
2. For a practical understanding of the importance of understanding uncertainty avoidance in the workplace, read the internet article titled “The Role of Cultural Differences in Business Communications.” https://cbkcuhk.wordpress.com/2016/06/10/the-role-of-cultural-differences-in-business-communications/
3. Paying attention to the author’s perspective on the connection between product quality and uncertainty avoidance, review the internet article titled “On Avoiding Uncertainty.” https://leadershipcrossroads.com/arti_oua.asp
4. Navigate to the discussion below and post a substantive response to the following questions:
   1. Describe the relationship between uncertainty avoidance and propensity to trust. How would you ensure efficient strategic decision making in organizations comprised of team members from different cultural backgrounds and with varying levels of uncertainty avoidance?
   2. What is the impact of uncertainty avoidance on innovation within an organization? What advice would you give to an organizational leader wishing to foster innovation marked by varying levels of uncertainty avoidance?
5. Your initial response should:
   1. Be 200–300 words in length
   2. Include a minimum of two properly cited references. For questions on APA style, go to OCLS APA Writing Style Guides.
6. Your initial response is due by the end of Workshop Three.
7. You will respond to your classmates in the 4.1 Discussion: Uncertainty Avoidance (Part B).