research assignment

Sample: Individual Research Document

Individual Research Document, Cultural Norms at Work Valerie Ward

Canada Group

Source #1: GEERT HOFSTEDE (2001)

• Power Distance: “With a score of 39 on this dimension, Canadian culture is marked by interdependence among its inhabitants and there is value placed on egalitarianism. This is also reflected by the lack of overt status and/or class distinctions in society. …hierarchy in Canadian organisations is established for convenience, superiors are always accessible and managers rely on individual employees and teams for their expertise.  It is customary for managers and staff members to consult one another and to share information freely.  …Canadians value a straightforward exchange of information.” 

• Individualism: “Canada scores 80 on this dimension … and can be characterized as an individualistic culture. [It] is a loosely-knit society in which the expectation is that people look after themselves and their immediate families. Similarly, in the business world, employees are expected to be self-reliant and display initiative.  Also, …hiring and promotion decisions are based on merit or evidence of what one has done or can do.”

• Uncertainty Avoidance: “The Canadian score on this dimension is 48 and Canadian culture is more “uncertainty accepting.”  This is indicative of the easy acceptance of new ideas, innovative products and a willingness to try something new or different, whether it pertains to technology, business practices, or consumer products.  Canadians are also tolerant of ideas or opinions from anyone and allow freedom of expression.  At the same time, Canadian culture is not rules-oriented and Canadians tend to be less emotionally expressive than cultures scoring higher on this dimension.”  

Geert Hofstede (2001). Culture’s Consequences: Comparing Values, Behaviors, Institutions, and Organizations Across Nations.  Second Edition. Thousand Oaks CA: Sage Publications. In ITIM International (n.d.) “Canada.” The Hofstede Centre. Retrieved from http://geert-hofstede.com/canada.html .

Source #2: KISS, BOW, SHAKE HANDS (20XX)

Communication practices:

• “Canadians greet each other using….” (p. 28)

• “Social distance is approximately…” (p. 30)

• “It is usual for Canadians to move quickly to first names…” (p. 31)

Business practices:

• …

• …

Author, A. A., & Author, B. B. (Year of publication). Title of chapter (e.g. Canada). In A. Editor & B. Editor (Eds.), Kiss, Bow, Shake Hands. (edition, volume and/or pp. pages of chapter). Location: Publisher.

NOTE: Only relevant, selected sentences from the original appear in the Hofstede example. Where unnecessary words or irrelevant data are omitted, an ellipsis (…) is used, or a replacement word is placed in square brackets; e.g., [It]. The citation for Source 2 is not an actual citation. This is just an example of the information needed in a source having individual chapters (with their own authors) within a book (with its own editors). If you use Kiss, Bow, Shake Hands, you need to figure out how to cite it properly.

RUBRICS

Individual Research Document (10%)

Presentation Grade Sheet, COMM 10309 Group grade (Content & Organization)

Intro & Background /13

• Introduced team members, purpose & organization of talk (3)

• Provided background info. re: country, cultural mix, religion/beliefs, languages (4)

• Gave brief overview of Hofstede’s & Hall’s dimensions for this culture (6)

Body /32

• Social and Communication Practices/Norms/Taboos: (10)

  • Described relevant, business-related social & communication practices (e.g. introductions, greetings, small talk, leave-taking,

interpersonal relationships at work, entertainment/food/drink related to work, gift-giving practices at work, etc.)

• • Connected these practices to the cultural dimensions outlined (and to values/beliefs if appropriate)

• Business Practices/Norms/Taboos: (10)

  • Described business practices (e.g. environment, meeting protocol, work ethic, power structure/personnel, decisions, suggestions, negotiations, conflict)

  • Connected these practices to the cultural dimensions outlined (and to values/beliefs if appropriate)

• Barriers & Strategies (12)

  • Projected/analysed potential, specific barriers or areas of intercultural stress for those whose dimensions/values/beliefs differ

  • Suggested specific strategies to successfully overcome the barriers mentioned

Conclusion

• Reviewed key points, asked for & answered questions (5) /7

• Closed appropriately with reference to overall goal (2)

Overall time management, team coordination & coordination of spoken & visual content 2 4 6 8 /8

Quality of text and visual content presented & documentation of sources on slides 2 4 6 8 /8

Appropriate and effective communication of data

• Effective, well-organized comm of data (knowledgeable) 2 4 6 8 10 2 4 6 8 10 2 4 6 8 10 2 4 6 8 10

• Lang, voice, eye contact, enthusiasm (engaging delivery) 2 4 6 8 10 2 4 6 8 10 2 4 6 8 10 2 4 6 8 10

+ Group Total /68___ /68__ /68__ _______ /68___

Grand Total: /88 /88 /88 /88