Cross-cultural Environment Research Articles

An examination of the ethical beliefs of managers using selected scenarios in a cross-cultural environment

Academic literature addressing the topic of business ethics has paid little attention to cross-cultural studies of business ethics. Uncertainty exists concerning the effect of culture on ethical beliefs. The purpose of this research is to compare the ethical beliefs of managers operating in South Africa and Australia. Responses of 52 managers to a series of ethical scenarios were sought. Results indicate that despite differences in socio-cultural and political factors there are no statistically significant differences between the two groups regarding their own ethical beliefs. Results thus support the view that culture has little or no impact on ethical beliefs.

Self-Concept and Self-Esteem

The author describes issues of self-concept and self-esteem that arise when people find themselves living in a cross-cultural environment.

International Advertising in Cross-Cultural Environments

Six European commercials were tested on 239 respondents belonging to five cultural groups, ranging from the high-context Asian group to the low-context Swedish group. Results clearly support Wells' proposition that high-context cultures perceive nonverbal communications elements as being more informative than a low-context culture does. These findings are important for the international advertiser and deserve much more exploration in order to determine more about how to manage nonverbal elements in cross-cultural communications.

Business Ethics

Much of the diversity in the field of ethics results from the broad area that it encompasses. As one scholar stated: Business ethics is the application of ethical aspects to all activities. It applies to all the disciplines of a school. There are no boundaries. It permeates everything; it is not a separate form of analysis. The field extends from the ethics of individual employees to the moral conduct of giant multinational corporations operating in cross-cultural environments. In comparison with legal, medical, and engineering ethics a researcher finds that in ethics the conceptual reach is larger than for other domains. Another respondent said that business ethics have a penetrating influence on all the areas of business. The primary fissure in the field is the division between the phi losophy/religion area of normative ethics and the management/values area of descriptive ethics. This split is particularly noticeable in the research activities and scholarly writing, but it is also present to some extent in the teaching of ethics. It stems primarily from basic differences in the research methodologies of the two areas. But within each of these two segments there are also major fractures. The dif

Future competition in a cross-cultural environment

Large trade deficits, domestic markets invaded by efficient global competitors are problems that plague many nations today. Individual marketers might find that risks are higher and success might be more difficult to find. Increasingly sophisticated buyers might call for increased segmentation. Sooner than expected, the size of the world-market might be a “must” for profitability. This paper discusses these issues and suggests an analytical model for an initial evaluation of the opportunities and threats from going multinational. Finally, it is argued that even if most companies will never become global firms it is nevertheless essential for them to be aware of the forces behind globalization.

Issues in Teaching Technical Writing in a Cross-Cultural Environment: The Case of Native Students

Issues in Teaching Technical Writing in a Cross-Cultural Environment: The Case of Native Students

Individuality vs. Group Identity: A Comparison between Japan and the United States

Abstract This article explores the major differences in the pattern of interpersonal relationships and group life between the United States and Japan. The assumption is that on one hand, people in the United States are more preoccupied with individual rights than with group solidarity while, on the other hand, the Japanese cultivate a sense of group-identity and solidarity, trying to derive life satisfaction and security from their group affiliations. An individually oriented society like the United States is well-suited for people with ability, drive, motivation and competitive spirit. A group-oriented society like Japan, however, is not a completely satisfying place for people with exceptional talents, but it is a safe haven for the “average” person. Several implications for social work in the crosscultural environment will also be discussed.

American and Chinese Managers in U.S. Companies in Taiwan: A Comparison

Two hundred top-level American and Chinese managers of U. S.-owned companies and joint ventures in Taiwan were surveyed on their attitudes toward their work. On most of the items assessing job attitudes, the two groups of managers showed no differences, indicating a positive impact of mutual adaptation in the cross-cultural environment. However, American managers felt more satisfied with their job security and opportunities for advancement, while Chinese managers had a greater interest in company paternalism. Although American and Chinese managers had different attitudes on certain ethnocentric issues, the two groups are clearly moving toward a common understanding. This article recommends that American subsidiaries in Taiwan adopt various policies to reduce the remaining differences and make the managerial styles of the two groups more compatible.