MAN501 National Cultures Assignment Sample
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Introduction
In the new millennium, the modern business expanded in to the global environment, which means “world without borders”. To accomplish the tasks effectively in the global economy, the employees present in various countries are working together (Qadeer, 2016). The multinational companies enter in to the international environment to upgrade their opportunities with the effective use of communication technologies, modern technology and information transfer. Cultural diversity is one of the important elements that the organizations have to consider. The nation’s culture plays a bottom line role in the functions of organization (Safia, 2014). Multinational companies face a high challenge in managing the people from different culture. In this report the culture of Pakistan and United States are analysed. With the support of hofstede cultural dimensions, the traits, values and culture followed in Pakistan and United States are compared and contrasted explicitly. With the help of the six dimensional view of hofstede, similarities and differences exist between the Pakistan and United States is analysed in sky rocketed manner (Hofstede, 2015). Dimensions like power distance, uncertainty avoidance, long term orientation, masculinity, indulgence, individualism are assessed in depth in both Pakistan and United States. It replicates the culture in two nations in spectacular manner (Mike, 2016).
National culture
Today learning culture is quite significant to operate the business successfully in the global economy. Majority of the MNCs struggle to handle the employees from various nations in daily operations. It is highly recommended to adapt to the diverse culture, which means understanding the cultural diversity, stereotypes, culture, views and values (Rebecca, 2016). In the last few decades, research on understanding the nation culture is raised in considerable amount. The research are mainly conducted to improve the organizational performance and to resolve the cultural diversity issues in organization. From the view of (Tamer, 2014), culture is defined as set of values, beliefs and symbols hold by the people. The global managers have to comprehend the nation’s culture in which they are working and it will helpful in taking collective decisions.
Comparative study on cultural dimensions of US and Pakistan
Today the cultural diversity creates a big challenge for the organizations. This study critically compares and contrasts the culture of Pakistan and America. Pakistan is a South Asian country and one of the developing countries in the world whereas America is a developed country in the other side of the world (Ishtiaq). There are lot of differences and small amount of similarities noticed in American and Pakistan cultures.
With the support of hofstede cultural dimension theory the cultural dimension of Pakistan and America is analysed. Hofstede developed the theory based on the six cultural dimensions that includes power distance, individualism, masculinity, long term orientation, uncertainty avoidance and indulgence (Hofstede, 2015).
Each dimension in the hofstede is rated using the scale zero to 100 based in the habits, values, traits and morals that has been explicated among the members in Pakistan and US. The numerical values provide a deep insight for understanding the cross cultural variations in the country (Barak, 2013).
Masculinity
One of the important dimensions is masculinity that means value placed on published achievement and monetary wealth. In general the high score for masculinity dimension indicates that the society is keener towards achievement, competition and success (Herbert, 2016). Usually the masculinity value system starts right from the individuals’ schools and it keeps on going throughout the lifetime of the individual. At the same time, the low value for masculinity indicates the people in the society pay more attention to the relationship, caring nature and improving the quality of life (Dean, 2015). As per the view of hofstede, the low score is termed as feminism
United States scored 62 for masculinity, it reflects that the individuals are competitive and work towards attaining success. Moreover, the individuals have high tolerance to be competitive in the organization. This nature inhibited to the individuals’ throughout their lives through the mode of democratic electoral system, competitive sports merit based working environment and legal structure of the nation (Nigel, 2014). The combination of all the factors drives the individuals towards success and failure. The culture of America usually motivates people to do the best and widely broadcast their success.
“Squeaky wheel gets the grease” is the American idiom that depicts the ascendancy of masculinity. The meaning of the idiom is that the most noticeable individual can get reward and recognition (Ishtiaq). Several other phrases used in America to motivate people to compete include “brave it”, “man up” and “be your own advocate”
To compare the masculinity level among Pakistan and United States, it is essential to understand the views of Pakistanis in various perspectives (Qadeer, 2016). Pakistani culture is different from the western culture which is more feminist in nature. In mere future, the masculinity level of Pakistan will be increased due to the global awareness, national identity, and development of middle class society, evolution in education system and growth in centralized civil society (Gavriel, 2016).
Based on the hofstede cultural dimension rating, Pakistan scored 50; the culture of Pakistan is intermediate in nature. It does not state that Pakistan has strong preference to masculinity or femininity (Neil, 2016). Compared to American culture, Pakistani culture endorses family and harmony. Still, they give importance to success, money and education but it is not so high like United States.
Formerly, people in Pakistan highly value family and they are adhered to the family and conduct family business in their surroundings rather than go far away from hometown (Sean, 2016). Leaving the family members is not a feasible option for the Pakistani culture compared to opportunities. Because the people in Pakistan are married at very young age and they becomes family man that inhibits them to seek recognition, fortune and education (Gavriel, 2016). Even now, more than 62% of the people in Pakistan are strictly attached to the feminist values in the rural areas that are quite dominant compared to the olden days.
The education system in rural areas is not up to the grade in Pakistan, which affects the education system and employment opportunities for the young people in Pakistan (Gannon, 2016). The people in this country practised their family business or they joined in Pakistani military. A small percentage of the group is relocated to the other parts to seek employment and education. The common behaviour of the Pakistani people is suppressing their feelings and just watch rather than taking action (Barak, 2013). For instance: the subordinates in Pakistan correct their boss mistake and stand back instead of trying to come to the power.
Power distance
The power distance dimension explicates that difference among the subordinates and superiors. It shows that the inequalities among the people in the society. In other words, power distance is the extent to which the subordinates accept their power (Ishtiaq). Pakistan scored 55 for power distance as per the hofstede cultural theory which is low compared to United States. This reveals that the subordinates in Pakistan are highly relied on superiors words and remain silent even the things went out of control. Very good example for power distance in Pakistan is that absence of public conversation related to inflation (Rebecca, 2016). Artificial inflation in Pakistan is one of the good examples that government boost up to raise the exports. Largely it affect the purchasing power of the people, affects the wealth but no one raised question against the inflation issue.
Compared with United States, power distance of Pakistan is high whereas in US the power distance is 40. In America, justice and liberty is equal for all people. Power distance in US explicates that people in the society are treated equally (Peterson, 2016). Superiors have the right to share their opinions and take responsibility in organizational activities. Even the superiors rely on subordinates and employees to accomplish the tasks. Managers allow subordinates to take part in decision making process and share their opinions and views even they are in lower cadre (Massimo, 2013).
Individualism
Individualism describes that the extent to which the members interdependent on one another in a society. The self-image of the people can be displayed in terms of “we” or “I”. In the individualistic society people are more oriented towards their family and take car for themselves (Peterson, 2016). On contrast in collectivistic society, people look for loyalty and they take care for group members and group belongingness will be highly seen. Based on the score of Pakistan (14), it is noticed that Pakistan culture is collectivistic in nature. The people in Pakistan made a long term commitment with the groups that is part of the family or extended family members (Gannon, 2016). People in the society build a strong relationship with one another and take responsibilities to solve the issues of fellow members. The relationship between employer and employee are seemed in moral terms. Moreover, promotion and hiring are highly relying in the employees in group (Hofstede, 2015).
Contrastingly, the individualistic score for America seemed to be 91 which are higher than any other country in the world. As per the American presumption liberty and justice for all averred that equal justice in government and society in all aspects. In the American organizations the management levels are just established for convenience, hierarchy and to manage functions in organized way. But the managers offer high freedom to the employees to take part in the decision making process (Gavriel, 2016). Consultation and sharing of information will takes place among the superiors and subordinates.
Concurrently, participative and informal way of communication is noticed in the American organization. A loosely blinded society is noticed in American culture where people take care about themselves and followed by their family members instead of relying on authorities for support. In the United States geographical mobility will be extremely high (Dean, 2015). People in America are best joiners and often they develop deep friendships with others. Even though they don’t know people with one another, American people will interact freely with others in doing business. Employees are institutive and self-reliant. In addition, the promotion, hiring and compensation are based on the performance of the employees and merit based decision are carried out (Qadeer, 2016).
Uncertainty avoidance
Uncertainty avoidance is nothing but the way the individual act towards the uncertain situation faced in future. The ambiguity of the individuals to handle the uncertain situation will differ from one culture to other. As per the score of hofstede, Pakistan scored 70 that mean the individual has high tendency to avoid uncertain situation (Massimo, 2013). The individual in Pakistan has a high belief in following rigid behaviour and beliefs. They run in busy schedule to earn money and save for future. Innovation may be completed resisted in Pakistani culture. Security plays a high role and act as a motivator for individuals. Individuals in this nation are punctual, hardworking and precision in nature (Nigel, 2014).
Contrastingly, US scored 46 which are lower than Pakistan on the dimension of uncertainty avoidance. The individual in America are more willing to do new things, adaptive and innovative in nature whether it may be in food, technology or business practices. In general American can accept the ideas and suggestions from any individual and allow them to participate to share their expressions with tolerance (Peterson, 2016). Americans are not attached to rules and regulation and fewer concomitants with the emotions than other nation culture with high score. At the time of recession, 9/11 can cause lot of fear among the individuals in the American society. By the effort of security organization and NSA, the individuals re soon recovered by that culmination (Tamer, 2014).
Long term orientation
Long term orientation means the society maintain some terms which have been brought out from the past traditions that have been helpful at the time of challenges exist in current and future periods. Society views long term orientation in two ways such as normative and pragmatic approach (Neil, 2016). The societies that score low depict normative culture. For instance: the societies belong to normative are highly oriented towards traditional beliefs and norms and the individuals does not have the tendency to accept change. On contrast pragmatic culture are the countries that score high for long term orientation dimension (Nigel, 2014). Usually individuals in this culture take efforts and to accept change and it will shift them to face future challenges. As per Pakistan is concerned, the long term orientation shows equality that means it scored 50. It indicated that Pakistani individuals stand in intermediate position (Herbert, 2016).
United States scores 26 that reflect the culture is normative in nature that can be reflected in various ways. Usually Americans check the information to know its reliability and validity. American are very practical and have they are keener towards analysing good and bad such as use of drugs, abortions, weapon, and euthanasia and so on (Ishtiaq). Among the world, America is a Caucasian country where the people visit churches in large proportion. In the American corporations, the performance of the company can be measured in quarterly basis and this stimulates them to work better and improve their performance in next quarter (Qadeer, 2016).
Indulgence
One of the importance issues in humanity is that the extent to which small children becomes socialized. Socialization will make shape to the human. Indulgence is nothing but the individuals’ has less control over explicating their impulses. On contrast high control over individuals impulses will be termed as restraint (Nigel, 2014). Indulgent culture have more freedom to speech whereas in restraint culture the individuals re helpless to express their views and opinions. Indulgence is one of the new dimensions that the work place is not focussed relatively. The companies having indulgent culture focus on individuals’ happiness and allow the employees to share their opinions that improve the organizational performance positively (Mike, 2016).
Pakistan scored zero which is low score compared to United States. The score reflects that the Pakistan culture is very restrained. Pessimism and cynicism are observed in this nation. In the restrained society the individual does not emphasis on leisure time and they control their desire and gratification (Ishtiaq). People from this culture have the attitude to control their desires and strict to the norms and regulations. On contrast United States scores 68 on the sixth cultural dimension. This reflects contradictory behaviour and attitude of the people in United States. For example compared to any other country, drug addiction is high in America even the state posed several wars against drug addiction compared to Pakistan (Qadeer, 2016).
Conclusion
The above study on nation culture reveals that the individuals’ behaviour is strongly associated with the nation culture. In this study the culture of United States and Pakistan is taken for analysis. There are several similarities and differences seen throughout the study. Compared with United States the power distance is high in Pakistan it indicates that the people in Pakistan rely strongly on their superiors and compressed their views and ideas (Dean, 2015). In the case of United States the people are more individualistic compared to Pakistan. Intermediate culture is seen in terms of masculinity in Pakistan; contrastingly US score high in masculinity. Indulgence is relatively low in Pakistan compared To US which indicates that individuals suppress themselves to express their views and ideas. The organizations have to understand the nation’s culture before initiating their business practices. Most of the cultural dimensions are different from one country to other. Thus it is essential that the managers have to understand the nation’s culture to motivate their employees to attain success in the global economy (Ishtiaq).
Bibliography
Barak. (2013). Managing Diversity: Toward a Globally Inclusive Workplace (First edition ed.). SAGE Publications.
Gannon. (2016). Working Across Cultures: Applications and Exercises (First edition ed.). SAGE.
Gavriel. (2016). Handbook of Human Factors and Ergonomics (Third edition ed.). John Wiley & Sons.
Herbert. (2016). National Culture and International Management in East Asia (Second edition ed.). International Thomson Business Press.
Hofstede. (2015). Culture’s Consequences: International Differences in Work-Related Values (Fourth edition ed.). SAGE.
Ishtiaq. (n.d.). Administrative Culture in Developing and Transitional Countries (First edition ed.). Routledge.
Massimo. (2013). Geographic Information Research: Transatlantic Perspectives (Fourth edition ed.). CRC Press.
Mike. (2016). Global Business (Fourth edition ed.). Cengage Learning.
Neil. (2016). Handbook of Industrial, Work & Organizational Psychology: Volume 2: Organizational Psychology (Fourth edition ed.). SAGE.
Nigel. (2014). The Global Brand: How to Create and Develop Lasting Brand Value in the World Market (Fourth edition ed.). St. Martin’s Press.
Peterson. (2016). Cross-Cultural Management: Essential Concepts (Third edition ed.). SAGE Publications.
Qadeer. (2016). Pakistan – Social and Cultural Transformations in a Muslim Nation (Second edition ed.). Routledge.
Rebecca. (2016). Saving Face in Business: Managing Cross-Cultural Interactions (First edition ed.). Springer.
Safia. (2014). Pakistan – Culture Smart!: The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture (Third edition ed.). Bravo Limited.
Sean. (2016). Transnational Culture in the Internet Age (First edition ed.). Edward Elgar Publishing.
Tamer. (2014). International Business (Fifth edition ed.). Pearson Australia.
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