Riding the Waves of Culture

1. Riding the Waves of Culture Fons Trompenaars

2. Table of Contents • Culture in general • Cultural differences • Discussion: Belgian culture versus Polish cultur

3. Culture in general

4. What does culture mean to you?

5. Culture can be associated with...

6. A model of culture Culture consists of different layers… What kind of model do you recognise?

7. A model of culture Which layer represents explicit culture and which layer shows implicit culture?

8. A model of culture Explicit culture= visible Implicit culture= invisible basic assumptions form the foundations of a culture’s norms and values Basic assumptions

9. A cultural boundary in Europe Northern Europe Latin Europe

10. Try to match correctly! intuition logic analysis rationality personal relations

11. Try to match correctly! intuition logic analysis rationality personal relations

12. Try to match correctly! intuition analysis logic rationality personal relations

13. Try to match correctly! analysis intuition logic rationality personal relations

14. Try to match correctly! analysis intuition logic rationality personal relations

15. Try to match correctly! analysis intuition logic personal relations rationality

16. An example: personal space and touch

17. An example: personal space and touch

18. Can you mention one thing that doesn’t fall under the category ‘culture’?

19. Culture / to cultivate • Groups of people organise themselves in such a way that they increase the effectiveness of their problem-solving processes. • Different geographic regions give different sets of logical assumptions and therefore different cultures.

20. Culture differences

21. Cultural differences • All cultures have to face the same types of problems, namely problems related to: • _________________________________ • _________________________________ • _________________________________

22. Cultural differences • All cultures have to face the same types of problems, namely problems related to: • time • _________________________________ • _________________________________

23. Cultural differences • All cultures have to face the same types of problems, namely problems related to: • time • nature • _________________________________

24. Cultural differences • All cultures have to face the same types of problems, namely problems related to: • time • nature • humans

25. Cultural differences • All cultures have to face the same types of problems, namely problems related to: • time • nature • humans Yet the way in which members of a specific culture solve human problems/dilemmas in these three areas, determines that culture.

26. Cultural differences There are five different ways of dealing with problems in human relationships: • Universalism versus particularism • Individualism versus communitarianism • Neutral versus emotional • Specific versus diffuse • Achievement versus ascription

27. Universalism versus particularism The Car Accident: Your friend was speeding and hits a pedestrian. There are no witnesses. How would you react?

28. Universalism versus particularism • My friend has a definite right as a friend to expect me to testify to a lower figure (20 miles per hour). • My friend has some right as a friend to expect me to testify to a lower figure (20 miles per hour). • He has no right as a friend to expect me to testify to a lower figure (20 miles per hour). What right does your friend have?

29. Universalism versus particularism He has no right as a friend to expect me to testify to a lower figure (20 miles per hour).= universalist approach: ‘what is good and right can be defined and always applies’ particularist: greater attention is given to the obligations of relationships and unique circumstances What right does your friend have?

30. Universalism versus particularism Try to guess how Venezuela,The USA, Poland and Belgium would react.

31. Universalism versus particularism

32. Universalism versus particularism • Some remarks: • North America, Australia, Northern Europe  Asian, African, Latin and Arab culture • Protestant cultures: religious beliefs in good and bad (laws)  Catholics: God may understand that you were lying to your friend • Number of lawyers per citizen  use the court to mediate conflicts • School system/exam system: relationships and trust (laws can be changed when people get to know each other better)  formal rules

33. Individualism versus communitarianism How do you think the quality of life can be improved? One said: ‘It is obvious that if one has as much freedom as possible and the maximum opportunity to develop oneself, the quality of one’s life would improve as a result.’ Another said: ‘If the individual is continuously taking care of his or her fellows then the quality of life for us all will improve, even if it obstructs individual freedom and individual development.’

34. Individualism versus communitarianism (collectivism) Try to guess how Polandand Belgium would react.

35. Individualism versus communitarianism (collectivism) Belgium: 57

36. The individual and the team

37. The best solution is …

38. Neutral versus emotional In my society, it is considered unprofessional to express emotions overtly. Strongly agree Agree Undecided Disagree Strongly disagree

39. Neutral versus emotional • Neutral cultures do not show feelings easily • Emotional cultures do show feelings (enthusiasm, pleasure, displeasure, anger, etc.) easily

40. Neutral versus emotional

41. Neutral versus emotional Which communication style matches the Anglo Saxon culture, the Latin culture and the Oriental culture? 1__________________________ 2__________________________ 3__________________________

42. Neutral versus emotional Which tone of voice matches the Anglo Saxon culture, the Latin culture and the Oriental culture? 1__________________________ 2__________________________ 3__________________________

43. Test yourself: In a meeting you feel very insulted because your counterpart tells you that your proposal is insane. What is your response? • No sign BECAUSE showing = a sign of weakness (= more vulnerable in the future) • No sign BECAUSE it spoils the relationshipBUT tell the counterpart that they did hurt you later on so they might learn from it (only show emotions to improve business relationships) • Clear sign  counterpart gets the message  allows you to control even greater emotional upset in the future • Clear sign  counterpart gets the message  business partners who cannot behave themselves properly have to bear the consequences

44. Neutral versus emotional • Neutral cultures  emotion in a business meeting = unprofessional or even childish • Emotional cultures business meeting without feelings = hiding behind a mask

45. Specific versus diffuse tact, sensitivity, ambiguity, formality + relationships go deeper and tend to be diffuse directness, frankness, clarity, informality + clear distinction between business and private life need to know you before they want to do business  French business culture want to come straight to the point American business culture

46. Specific versus diffuse focus mainly on subject matter important to know your pupils • Where do you situate: • - Belgian education? • - Polish education?

47. Achievement versus ascription What determines your status? what you do who you are= your background

48. Achievement versus ascription What determines your status? what you do who you are= your background ascription culture achievement culture

49. Discussion:Belgian culture  Polish culture

50. Compare Poland to Belgium • Characteristics: • Food • Religion • Rules • Education • Language