Culture difference and its effect on the management of technical education

Abstract

Examines and compares the values and behaviour of senior managers in technical education in the UK and Egypt. Uses the values survey module questionnaire designed by Hofstede on matched samples of principals, vice‐principals and heads of department from the UK and Egypt. Details the results which show that culture difference is a significant factor and that Western management models and concepts are not necessarily transferable to other cultures. Studies the nature of culture and culture difference and finds it to be a complex issue dependent on factors such as the predominant religious beliefs of the country. Concludes that Western management tools need to be adapted and refined to fit the cultural context of recipient countries, and argues that the central factor in the success or failure of inter‐cultural encounters in management is inter‐personal communication.