4030: Research Methods

Hofstede (1980) surveyed business people in more than forty different countries and applied a statistical technique, which is called factor analysis, to their responses to determine the outstanding behavioral characteristics. Hofstede found that there were distinct behavioral constructs that could be used to differentiate cultures and labeled the constructs' cultural dimensions. The dimensions have been used in numerous research studies for both basic and applied research. The dimensions have helped cultural psychologists to define cultural groups and to determine the differences between cultures.

Part I

Do an internet search for the full text of the following article using the search terms: Cross-cultural differences in management. Kawar, T. I. (2012). Cross-cultural differences in management. International Journal of Business and Social Science, 3(6), 105–111.

Briefly summarize the article in essay format adhering to APA format and style. Make sure to include in your work a summary of the following sections:

• Introduction
• Cross-cultural differences in multinational corporations
• Cross-cultural management
• Cultural intelligence
• The effect of cultural values on management
• Conclusion

Part II

After reading and summarizing the research article, use the four original cultural dimensions to compare your cultural group (YCG) with a foreign cultural group of your choice. This cultural group will be referred to as the selected cultural group (SCG) throughout the various parts of this class project. Note that YCG is defined as the group that you feel has most influenced your development and identity. For most of you, YCG will be US mainstream culture. However, some of you may feel that you are most influenced by a different cultural group. For example, if you moved from Vietnam to the United States at the age of eleven years, the most dominant influence will probably be Vietnamese culture. The SCG that you choose to compare with YCG might be from any region of the world. However, you should avoid selecting broad groups, for example, Africans, Asians, or Hispanics. You need to select more specific groups, such as Liberians, Sudanese, Egyptians, Japanese, or Spaniards.

Remember that there are variations within each group; therefore, your task will be to determine the average expression. Perform the task by using the following table. Note that the dimensions are listed in the first column, the information regarding YCG is to be placed in the second column, and the information obtained on the SCG should be placed in the third column. You may use your textbook and lectures or online resources for assistance.

Review Hofstede's original four dimensions.

Cultural Group Comparison Using Hofstede's Dimensions

Hofstede's Cultural Dimensions

YCG

SCG

Collectivism vs. Individualism

Where does your cultural group fall on the collectivism vs. individualism dimension? Fill in the information in this cell and insert the appropriate information into the remaining cells.

Power Distance

Uncertainty Avoidance

Masculinity vs. Femininity

In a 3- to 4-page Microsoft Word document, include the following:

• Completed article summary table
• Completed cultural group comparison table 

Reference:

Hofstede, G. H. (1980). Culture’s consequences: International differences inwork-related values. Newbury Park, CA: Sage.

Attach a Turnitin.com Report.