60
4.1 Discussion: Uncertainty Avoidance (Part B)
Getting Started
Getting Started
Getting Started
Note: This is Part B of a two-week discussion forum. In the previous workshop, you made an initial post; in this workshop, you will respond to the posts of your classmates and will post a summary of your new learning. You and your classmates must pace yourselves to complete the discussion fully within the time allotted.
Hofstede’s “uncertainty avoidance” dimension provides a relative ranking of tolerance for ambiguity and risk. Societies characterized by higher uncertainty avoidance are less tolerant of vague situations and more averse to risk. Countries with lower uncertainty avoidance, such as the United States, tend to be more open to ambiguity and accepting risk. In the workplace environment where employee teams are often comprised of those with mixed cultural backgrounds, an understanding as to the role of uncertainty avoidance on team behavior will better equip organizational leaders (10 minutes with, 2015).
Reference
10 minutes with. (2015, March 7). 10 minutes with Geert Hofstede on uncertainty avoidance 01032015 [Video]. YouTube.
Upon successful completion of this discussion, you will be able to:
- Articulate the relationship between uncertainty avoidance and the propensity to trust.
- Determine the impact of uncertainty avoidance on an organization’s innovation.
Resources
Resources
Resources
- Webpage: The Role of Cultural Differences in Business Communications
- Webpage: On Avoiding Uncertainty
Instructions
Instructions
Instructions
- Review the rubric to make sure you understand the criteria for earning your grade.
- Review the internet article “The Role of Cultural Differences in Business Communications.”
- Paying attention to the author’s perspective on the connection between product quality and uncertainty avoidance, review the internet article “On Avoiding Uncertainty.”
- By the end of this workshop, read and critically respond to at least two of your classmates.
Consider their reflection on the self-assessment results and application of principles related to uncertainty avoidance.
Offer critical evaluation or add clarity to the posts of your classmates.
Where applicable, respectfully offer alternate perspectives and provide additional clarifying commentary to add to the discussion. - Each response should be at least 150 words.
==================================================
4.2 Discussion: Developing a Cultural Map (Part B)
Getting Started
Note: This is Part B of a two-week discussion forum. In the previous workshop, you made an initial post; in this workshop, you will respond to the posts of your classmates and will post a summary of your new learning. You and your classmates must pace yourselves to complete the discussion fully within the time allotted.
In this discussion, you will examine Hofstede’s national culture dimensions related to the concepts of “uncertainty avoidance”. Uncertainty avoidance is not a risk of avoidance but deals with ambiguity (10 minutes with, 2015). As a cultural manager you will work with people from various backgrounds that will test your cultural competency. In this assignment, you will create a cultural map using SmartArt located in Microsoft Word and will compare maps with your classmates.
Reference
10 minutes with. (2015, March 7). 10 minutes with Geert Hofstede on uncertainty avoidance 01032015 [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZF6LyGne7Q&feature=emb_logo
Upon successful completion of this discussion, you will be able to:
- Develop a cultural map using SmartArt.
- Determine points of tensions between your cultures and other cultures.
- Defend multicultural competency as a necessary skill for managerial success.
Resources
- Video: 10 Minutes with Geert Hofstede on Uncertainty Avoidance
- Video: The right way to ask questions about your colleague’s race
- File: Cultural Map
Instructions
-
Review the rubric to make sure you understand the criteria for earning your grade.
- Review the video “10 Minutes with Geert Hofstede on Uncertainty Avoidance.”
- Review the video “The right way to ask questions about your colleague’s race.”
- By the end of this workshop, read and critically respond to at least two of your classmates.
Offer a critical evaluation or add clarity to the posts of your classmates.
Offer alternate perspectives and provide additional clarifying commentary to add to the discussion.
Each response should be at least 150 words.
=====================================================
===========
===========
Getting Started
This is a two-week discussion. Your initial post is due by the end of Workshop Four. You will then engage in dialogue with your classmates in at least three discussion threads (one of which is your initial post) and will post a summary of your new knowledge for each of the three discussion threads. While your interactions are not due until the end of Workshop Five, you should be prepared to engage in the discussion throughout both workshops.
In the video you will watch for this discussion, Hofstede identifies masculine societies as those in which emotional gender roles between men and women are distinct. Cultures characterized as being feminine are those in which the gender roles are not as distinct, often overlapping (10 minutes with, 2014). In this discussion, you will examine this cultural dimension in more depth, while having the opportunity to reflect on your personal views relative to masculine and feminine traits.
Reference
10 minutes with. (2014, November 18). 10 minutes with…Geert Hofstede on masculinity versus femininity 10112014 [Video]. YouTube.
Upon successful completion of this discussion, you will be able to:
- Examine theoretical concepts in the exploration of business globalization and culture.
- Analyze the impact of cultural differences on business decision making and strategic planning.
- Articulate the importance of integrating a Christian worldview with global business practice.
Resources
- Video: 10 Minutes with Geert Hofstede on Masculinity versus Femininity
- File: Masculinity vs. Femininity
- Article: ‘Christian Worldview’ Drives Hungary’s Stunningly Successful Pro-Family Policies: Minister for Family
Instructions
-
Review the rubric to make sure you understand the criteria for earning your grade.
- Watch the video “10 Minutes with Geert Hofstede on Masculinity versus Femininity.”
- Examine the PowerPoint on Masculinity vs. Femininity.
- Read the article “‘Christian Worldview’ Drives Hungary’s Stunningly Successful Pro-Family Policies: Minister for Family.”
- Navigate to the discussion below and post a substantive response to the following questions:
Complete the following chart based on your personal views of masculine and feminine roles. Identify each trait listed as either masculine or feminine, using your personal perspective. Copy and paste the completed chart into your initial discussion post.
Trait Masculine Feminine
Build relationships based on trust
Coach and mentor others
Culturally competent
Strategic thinker
High level of confidence
Problem-solver
Risk-taker -
Group together the traits you have identified as masculine and write a paragraph explaining your perspective. Write a second paragraph discussing your perspective on those traits you have identified as feminine.
From your reading of the article “‘Christian Worldview’ Drives Hungary’s Stunningly Successful Pro-Family Policies: Minister for Family,” consider the social ramifications of espousing a Christian worldview in Hungary. What spillover effects might be anticipated when the Christian worldview described in the article and global business intersect? - Your initial response should:
Be 200–300 words in length
Include a minimum of two properly cited references. For questions on APA style, go to OCLS APA Writing Style Guides. - Your initial response is due by the end of Workshop Four.
- You will respond to your classmates in the 5.1 Discussion: Masculinity vs. Femininity Societies (Part B).
================================================================
4.4 Discussion: Assess Your Cultural Profile (Part A)
Getting Started
This is a two-week discussion. Your initial post is due by the end of Workshop Four. You will then engage in dialogue with your classmates in at least three discussion threads (one of which is your initial post) and will post a summary of your new knowledge for each of the three discussion threads. While your interactions are not due until the end of Workshop Five, you should be prepared to engage in the discussion throughout both workshops.
As a global manager, understanding culture and being able to work with diverse groups of people effectively is vital. Cultural mapping outcomes can be harnessed and directed to create sustainable futures. In this workshop, you will demonstrate your global know-how and assess your mind frame.
Upon successful completion of this discussion, you will be able to:
Analyze the impact of cultural differences on business decision making and strategic planning.
Articulate the importance of integrating a Christian worldview with global business practice.
Resources
- Video: The Culture Map
- Video: Download and Install Snipping Tool++
- Article: Assess Your Cultural Profile
- Website: What’s Your Cultural Profile?
- Bible
Instructions
-
Review the rubric to make sure you understand the criteria for earning your grade.
- Watch the video “The Culture Map” by Erin Meyer.
- Read the article “Assess Your Cultural Profile” by David Champion.
- Locate the assessment tool within “What’s Your Cultural Profile?” and take the questionnaire.
- Navigate to the discussion below and post a substantive response to the following questions a–c:
Discuss your assessment and reflect on how the assessment might shape you as a global manager. Use PowerPoint to create a short presentation (five slides) and include images of your assessment using Snipping Tool to take snippets of your assessment to share with your peers. For information on Snipping Tool, watch the following video.
What areas would you improve or strengthen?
Reflect on Proverbs 3:5-6 and discuss whether your trust in God is more ask-based trust (from the head) or relationship-based trust (from the heart)? - You will respond to your classmates in the 5.2 Discussion: Assess Your Cultural Profile (Part B).
Your initial response should:
Be 200–300 words in length
Include a minimum of two properly cited references. For questions on APA style, go to OCLS APA Writing Style Guides.
Your initial response is due by the end of Workshop Four.
=====================================================
4.5 Assignment: ArcelorMittal Acquisition
Getting Started
Strategic alliances are partnerships between two or more firms that decide they can better pursue their mutual goals by combining their resources—financial, managerial, technological—as well as their existing distinctive competitive advantages. In a highly competitive environment, alliances present a faster and less risky route to globalization. In this workshop, you will examine in depth a merger (strategic alliance) between two companies and understand the cultural effects. We will also explore Hofstede’s fourth dimension, masculinity.
Upon successful completion of this assignment, you will be able to:
- Determine ways culture influences global alliances and acquisitions.
Analyze the impact of cultural differences on business decision making and strategic planning.
Articulate the importance of integrating a Christian worldview with global business practice.
Resources
- Article: Arcelor Agrees to Mittal Takeover
- Article: ArcelorMittal and Nippon Steel Complete Acquisition of Essar Steel
- Webpage: Hofstede’s Insights
- Website: ArcelorMittal
- Webpage: OCLS APA Writing Style Guides
Background Information
About ArcelorMittal
ArcelorMittal is the world’s leading steel and mining company, with a presence in 60 countries and an industrial footprint in 18 countries. Guided by a philosophy to produce safe, sustainable steel, ArcelorMittal is the leading supplier of quality steel in the major global steel markets including automotive, construction, household appliances and packaging, with world-class research and development and outstanding distribution networks (Arcelormittal, n.d.).
Through the core values of sustainability, quality and leadership, ArcelorMittal operates responsibly with respect to the health, safety and well being of their employees, contractors and the communities in which they operate (Arcelormittal, n.d.).
For ArcelorMittal, steel is the fabric of life, as it is at the heart of the modern world from railways to cars and washing machines. ArcelorMittal is actively researching and producing steel-based technologies and solutions that make many of the products and components people use in their everyday lives more energy efficient (Arcelormittal, n.d.).
The merger of India’s Mittal Steel and Luxembourg’s Arcelor in 2006 produced the largest steel company in the world, Arcelor Mittal. In 2019, ArcelorMittal announced the acquisition of Essar Steel India Limited (ESIL) and simultaneously established a joint venture with Nippon Steel Corporation (Nippon Steel) called ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India Limited (
Kanter
,
Timmons
, &
Giridharadas
, 2006) .
Reference:
Arcelormittal (n.d.) retrieved from
https://corporate.arcelormittal.com/about-us
Kanter J., Timmons, T., & Giridharadas, A, (June 25, 2006) Arcelor agrees to Mittal takeover retrieved from
Instructions
-
Review the rubric to make sure you understand the criteria for earning your grade.
- Read the article Arcelor agrees to Mittal Takeover. https://www.nytimes.com/2006/06/25/business/worldbusiness/25iht-steel.html?auth=link-dismiss-google1tap
- Read the article ArcelorMittal and Nippon Steel complete acquisition of Essar Steel. https://corporate.arcelormittal.com/media/press-releases/arcelormittal-and-nippon-steel-complete-acquisition
- Peruse ArcelorMittal’s corporate website for additional information. https://corporate.arcelormittal.com/
- Peruse Hofstede’s Insights for additional information. https://www.hofstede-insights.com/country-comparison/india/
- Write a 5-6 page paper following APA Style. For questions on APA Style, go to OCLS APA Writing Styles Guides.
- In your paper, address the following questions:
Compare Hofstede’s cultural dimensions for the countries of Luxembourg, India, and Japan.
Discuss Arcelor’s motivation to acquire Mittal and Mittal’s motivation to merge with Arcelor.
Discuss the two major challenges that threatened the Arcelor/Mittal merger. Which of Hofstede’s cultural dimensions might be at the core of these challenges?
Discuss at least two reasons why ArcelorMittal acquired Essar Steel.
Discuss the rationale for ArcelorMittal’s joint venture with Nippon Steel.
If you were a manager at ArcelorMittal, what cultural challenges might emerge in your attempts to integrate a Christian worldview in the workplace? - Include an introduction paragraph, a conclusion paragraph, APA level one headings, and a minimum of five (5) properly cited sources in your paper.
- Submit your formatted APA paper by the end of this workshop.
==================================================
4.6 Assignment: Country Selection
Getting Started
You will select a country (other than the United States and Canada) for your final infographic project. Your instructor will approve the country selections to avoid duplications. An approval is required from your instructor prior to starting the project.
Upon successful completion of this assignment, you will be able to:
- Select a country for final project.
Instructions
- Select a country for your culminating project.
- Submit the country selection to your instructor by the end of the workshop.
- Your instructor will approve country selections to avoid duplicates
-=================================================
=======================================================
RESPONSE 1
Uncertainty avoidance is the study of different cultures to recognize the tolerance for uncertainty in understanding a society’s mindset. The predisposition to trust is not easy to form. When working in a business market there is a myriad of cultures, personalities, management styles, and environments to overcome to build a strong structure of trust. To gain trust takes time, commitment, and openness to forge a bond. Working with international companies needs to measure countries to one another. “Propensity to trust did not influence trust behaviors…trustworthiness perceptions influenced initial trust behaviors…trust behaviors influenced subsequent trustworthiness perceptions” (Alarcon, 2017)
Confidence and the ability to make conscious decisions that are best for the company is the main objective. Before getting to this level of trust within the team members of an organization is to become familiar with your team members. I have contributed to a “Brown Bag” initiated for new software in our department and I have also participated in the Six Sigma program for our company’s outsourcing project and the dynamics of these groups varied from one extreme to another. A week on a Six Sigma project with three companies was a tough task and the outcome was a fallout.
Research is the most important thing to focus on initially. The United States is low on the uncertainty avoidance index (UAI), which puts companies at a higher risk. “High uncertainty-avoidance Chinese managers usually lack the adventurous spirit and the mindset of taking risks. They attempt to minimize making immediate decisions during negotiation if they feel the circumstance is uncertain, which may deprive them of the opportunity to grab the opportunity and compete in the market. In most cases, they would like to make comparatively safer and less risky deals at the expense of business opportunity” (Wong Chi, 2016).
Taking the time to do extensive research, instead of choosing the quickest or cheapest option at that moment will make the company stronger. “Thus, not only is there a critical need for additional longitudinal research on the trust process, but research is specifically needed to examine how theoretically-driven trust antecedents (e.g., propensity to trust and trustworthiness perceptions) impact trust behavior over time” (Alarcon, 2017).
References
Alarcon, G, Lyons, J. (2017, The effect of propensity to trust and perceptions of trustworthiness on trust behaviors dyads. Springer Link. Retrieved from https://link.springer.com/article/10.3758/s13428-017-0959-6#:~:text=Propensity%20to%20trust%20is%20an,Jones%20%26%20Shah%2C%202016).
Wong Chi, V. (2016, June 10). The role of cultural differences in business communications. China Business Communications. Retrieved from https://cbkcuhk.wordpress.com/2016/06/10/the-role-of-cultural-differences-in-business-communications/
-=================================================
=======================================================
RESPONSE 2
Uncertainty avoidance can have a great impact on the workplace. “Uncertainty avoidance refers to a society’s tolerance for uncertainty and ambiguity quantify cultural differences across international lines and better understand why some ideas and business practices work better in some countries than in others” (10 minutes with, 2014).
The relationship between trust and uncertainty avoidance is direct. The higher the uncertainty avoidance, the higher the propensity for trust in an individual. The lower the uncertainty avoidance, the lower the propensity for trust in an individual. Organizations that consist of a wide range of diverse cultures can find themselves needed to delicately balance the differing uncertainty avoidance tendencies from employees. For example, according to the article on Japan (Katz, 2005), this group will take a risk if backup plans are created and considered. This means there is additional work and time needed to build a sense of security to overcome the natural fear and lack of trust.
I would recommend leaders wishing to foster innovation marked by varying levels of uncertainty avoidance to lead each person individually to meet their individual needs, while finding a way to foster a collective culture that both is acceptable by everyone, but also challenges them to broaden their own abilities.
References
10 minutes with. (2014). 10 minutes with Geert Hofstede on Uncertainty Avoidance [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZF6LyGne7Q
Katz, L. (2005). Article: On avoiding uncertainty. Retrieved March 16, 2021, from https://leadershipcrossroads.com/arti_oua.asp
Culture Map Exercise
1. List all of the various cultures that you belong to (or that you would say have influenced the way you communicate). There are no right or wrong answers. You can identify any and all cultures (as we have defined that term) that make sense to you.
American
Man
African American
Christian (African American Catholic)
Fraternity Brother/Friend
Father
Academic/Student
Mentor
Brother/Sibling
Urban (Hip-hop) Music
Culture
Middle Class
Son
Husband
2. Graphically “map” all of the cultures in terms of their importance in your life now and their relation to each other. You can use any format you wish to map things. You may use different geometric shapes for various culture, different sizes, etc. Again, there are no right or wrong answers. Whatever mapping captures your sense of your cultures is fine.
EX:
3. Draw points of tension between your cultures. Which cultures tend to have norms for behavior that differ? That conflict? Which cultures are most in tension in this way? Draw arrows or other indicators to show that.
· Christian (African American Catholic) has tension Urban (hip-hop) Music Culture. From the age of 6, I was raised within the hip-hop culture. It has stuck with me throughout the years. Thirty years later, I get baptized at a Catholic Church.
· There is tension being African American in America.
· Most of the time, being a student/academic conflicts with my being a husband and father. There is only 24 hrs. in a day, and the time spent between work and school, there is not much left for my wife and children.
4. Which of these cultural tensions are most likely to cause you internal conflict?
Which of these cultural tensions are most likely to cause conflict with others?
· Tension being African American in America, and not having enough time left in a day for family and children because of school and work creates the most internal conflict. These cultural tensions can also creates conflicts with others.
URBAN (Hip-Hop) Music
Culture
American
FATHER
MAN
SON
HUSBAND
Middle Class
Christian (African American Catholic)
AFRICAN AMERICAN
Academic/Student
FRATERNITY BROTHER
MENTOR
FRIEND
SIBLING
URBAN (Hip-Hop) Music
Culture
American
FATHER
MAN
SON
HUSBAND
Middle Class
Christian (African American Catholic)
AFRICAN AMERICAN
Academic/Student
FRATERNITY BROTHER
MENTOR
FRIEND
SIBLING
Culture Map Exercise
1. List all of the various cultures that you belong to (or that you would say have influenced the way you communicate). There are no right or wrong answers. You can identify any and all cultures (as we have defined that term) that make sense to you.
American
Man
Male
White
Christian
Brother
Father
Son
Husband
Manager
2. Graphically “map” all of the cultures in terms of their importance in your life now and their relation to each other. You can use any format you wish to map things. You may use different geometric shapes for various culture, different sizes, etc. Again, there are no right or wrong answers. Whatever mapping captures your sense of your cultures is fine.
Male
Man
White
Manager
Student
Brother
Father
Son
Husband
American
Christian
3. Draw points of tension between your cultures. Which cultures tend to have norms for behavior that differ? That conflict? Which cultures are most in tension in this way? Draw arrows or other indicators to show that.
EX:
Male
Man
White
Manager
Student
Brother
Father
Son
Husband
American
Christian
1. Being a Caucasian male in America can have tensions due to current issues in the country. However, having an open mind and being polite with everyone can have positive interactions.
2. The most tension comes from working as a manager, being a student, and trying to keep a wife happy and give her and three kids enough attention all while trying to balance work, school, and raising a family.
4. Which of these cultural tensions are most likely to cause you internal conflict?
Which of these cultural tensions are most likely to cause conflict with others?
Internal conflicts are how to split my time between my family, work, and school and be successful at all three. It’s a tough balancing act that unfortunately, my family doesn’t get enough time with.
External conflicts are just the tensions that have been in the United States for far longer than they should be. Being a White, American, Male comes with tensions that have risen over the past year. Doing the best to get along with everyone goes a long way. Working with various backgrounds, cultures, and ethnicities has helped me understand these cultural differences.