Highlight 13.7: Cultural Differences in an Organizational Context
\nDubrin (2007, pp. 386\u2013387) cites four cultural differences in the context of working with and in
\norganizations (Hofstede, 1980, 1993; Kennedy & Everest, 1991). These are also significant when
\nworking effectively with organizations in the community environment and with community citizens. It\u2019s
\nessential to establish goals with community residents that fit well with their own value systems. It\u2019s also
\ncrucial for people commencing community development to be aware of their own value orientations so
\nas not to impose them on people in the community.
\n1. Individualism versus collectivism. Individualism is \u201ca mental set in which people see themselves
\nfirst as individuals and believe that their own interests take priority. At the other end of the continuum,
\ncollectivism is a feeling that the group and society receive top priority. . . . Highly individualistic cultures
\ninclude the United States, Canada, Great Britain, Australia, and the Netherlands. Japan, Taiwan, Mexico,
\nGreece, and Hong Kong are among the countries that strongly value collectivism\u201d (Dubrin, 2007, p. 386).
\nSowers and Rowe (2007) comment concerning differences in how individual importance
\nis perceived:
\n\u201cFor instance, within the African context, traditional African thinking understands
\nhuman nature and human flourishing as a network of life forces that emanate from God and end in God,
\nwho is the source of all life forces. For many Africans, personhood is attainable only in community and
\nthe single most important concept within African traditional life is the inclusion of all into the
\ncommunity (Senghor, 1966; Setiloane, 1986)\u201d (p. 30).
\nVan Wormer (2006) reflects on the value of collectivism for First Nations Peoples:
\n\u201cThe sense of interconnectedness is a staple of traditional indigenous culture. The First
\nNations people in North American rely on the metaphor of the Medicine Wheel, which exemplifies
\nthe wholeness of all life. The Medicine Wheel teaches about the cycle of life, a cycle that encompasses
\ninfancy through old age, the seasons, and four directions of human growth\u2014the emotional, mental,
\nphysical, and spiritual. This is not a linear system; all the parts are interconnected. American Indian
\nteachings are traditionally presented as narratives and shared within a talking circle. . . .
\n[V]alues are: a strong emphasis on being not doing and cooperation over competition; a group
\nemphasis; working only to meet one\u2019s needs; nonmaterialism; . . . and living in harmony with nature.
\nThe theme of these values is social interconnectedness\u201d (p. 57).
\nSowers and Rowe (2007) conclude that \u201cworking out an understanding of human beings
\nand personal development that incorporates cultural conceptions and beliefs is critical to effective social
\nwork practice, particularly in a global context\u201d (p. 30).
\n2. Materialism versus concern for others. Materialism is the value that material things and money
\nare extremely important, much more so than humanitarian or spiritual pursuits. There is also a tendency
\nto emphasize \u201cMe Me Me,\u201d rather than focus on other people\u2019s needs and issues. In contrast, concern
\nfor others refers to genuine, active concern for other people\u2019s well-being and a focus on the importance
\nof interpersonal relationships. \u201cMaterialistic countries include Japan, Austria, and Italy. The United
\nStates is considered to be moderately materialistic . . . Scandinavian nations all emphasize caring as a
\nnational value\u201d (Dubrin, 2007, p. 386).
\n3. Formality versus informality. \u201cA country that values formality attaches considerable importance
\nto tradition, ceremony, social rules, and rank. At the other extreme, informality refers to a casual
\nattitude toward tradition, ceremony, social rules, and rank. . . . [People] in Latin American countries
\nhighly value formality, such as lavish public receptions and processions. Americans, Canadians, and
\nScandinavians are much more informal\u201d (Dubrin, 2007, p. 386).
\n4. Urgent time orientation versus casual time orientation. \u201cIndividuals and nations attach different
\nimportance to time. People with an urgent time orientation perceive time as a scarce resource and tend
\nto be impatient. People with a casual time orientation view time as an unlimited and unending resource
\nand tend to be patient. Americans are noted for their urgent time orientation. They frequently impose
\ndeadlines and are eager to get started doing business. Asians and Middle Easterners, in contrast are
\n[much more] patient\u201d (Dubrin, 2007, p. 387).<\/p>\n
———-<\/p>\n
Highlight 13.7: Cultural Differences in the Workplace
\nIn the context of working with and in organizations, Dubrin (2007, pp. 386\u2013387) identifies four cultural differences (Hofstede, 1980, 1993; Kennedy & Everest, 1991). These are also important when it comes to working effectively with community organizations and citizens. It is critical to establish goals with community members that are compatible with their own value systems. It is also critical for people who are just starting out in community development to be aware of their own value orientations so that they do not impose them on others in the community.
\nIndividualism vs. collectivism, for starters. Individualism is defined as “a mental set in which people see themselves first and foremost as individuals and believe that their own interests take precedence.” Collectivism, on the other hand, is at the opposite end of the spectrum.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Highlight 13.7: Cultural Differences in an Organizational Context Dubrin (2007, pp. 386\u2013387) cites four cultural differences in the context of working with and in organizations\u2026<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[648,647,646],"tags":[649,652,651,650,659,658,42,660,661,657,655,656,653,654],"class_list":["post-20948","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uk-research-essays","category-usa-essays","category-write-my-essay-today","tag-write-my-dissertation-in-a-week","tag-write-my-dissertation-ireland","tag-write-my-dissertation-literature-review","tag-write-my-dissertation-proposal","tag-write-my-essay-4-me","tag-write-my-essay-for-cheap","tag-write-my-essay-free","tag-write-my-essay-today","tag-write-my-essay-uk","tag-write-my-research-paper-for-cheap","tag-write-my-research-paper-free","tag-write-my-research-paper-proposal-for-me","tag-write-my-thesis-paper-for-me","tag-write-my-thesis-proposal"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.studyproessays.com\/help\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20948","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.studyproessays.com\/help\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.studyproessays.com\/help\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.studyproessays.com\/help\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.studyproessays.com\/help\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=20948"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.studyproessays.com\/help\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20948\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.studyproessays.com\/help\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=20948"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.studyproessays.com\/help\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=20948"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.studyproessays.com\/help\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=20948"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}