Cross Cultural Management Cultural Values

Assessment Essay Outline
Essay Topic:
Using an appropriate model of cultural values, contrast two cultures then discuss what potential problems might arise for people from these two cultures doing business with one another.
Overview
Note that this is an essay, not a report. An essay allows you to construct and present an argument in your own way, so it allows you to develop your own thoughts. An essay does not have sub-headings. An essay develops an argument based on evidence to persuade the reader of a point of view, whereas a report presents facts and makes recommendations.
There are two main ways in which you can approach this essay topic:
1. You could begin by finding some real life problems and then apply a theory of national culture (eg. Hofstede or GLOBE) to them.
2. Or, you could begin by comparing the Hofstede dimensions of two countries and then predict the kind of problems that would follow from these differences. Then, give examples, of real-life problems to illustrate your predictions.
Do not forget that you only have 1,500 words to write, so do not try to be over ambitious in how much ground you try to cover, which may lead to vagueness.
The term “business problem” covers a wide range of possibilities which may include such matters as team working, leadership and negotiation. You cannot cover all of the possibilities in an essay of this length so, once again, you must decide how to focus your essay.
Please remember that these are only notes to guide you and if you feel that your own argument calls for a different structure, you should follow your own judgement. (Don’t forget that there are no headings in an essay, so these headings are only for guidance). Now you can begin writing.
Approach 1
With this approach, you should begin by choosing two countries where there has been a substantial amount of research on their business relationships eg UK-Japan, USA-Mexico etc. Find descriptions of two or three business problems that have risen. These may be found in high quality newspapers such as the Financial Times or the Economist, business magazines, academic case studies or academic journal articles.
Next, choose which theory or theories you will choose as your analytical tool. The main possibilities are: Hofstede, a combination of Hofstede and Hall and GLOBE. You should write a concise explanation of the theory in your own words but with reference to the theory literature (eg. Hofstede’s “Software of the Mind”).
Introduction
Explain what the essay is about and how you will approach the topic. Here you will say, in only a few words, what problems you will be looking at and what theory you will use for your analysis. The introduction should contain a sentence which summarises the whole essay including the conclusion (thesis statement).
Body of the essay
Next, you will explain your theoretical tools and show awareness of criticisms and limitations of the theory.
Then, you will describe the first problem.
Following that, you will apply your theory to the problem to analyse it and suggest possible solutions.
The next step, is to describe the second problem.
Then, apply your theory to it and suggest possible solutions.
Conclusion
Finally, you come to a conclusion. Here you can compare and contrast the two problems and solutions that you have discussed and draw some generalisations about the kind of problems, and advantages, that may arise from these countries doing business together.
Approach 2
With this approach, you should begin by choosing two countries which are in strong contrast with each other when looked at from the point of view of their Hofstede dimensions. You will then discuss how each of these differences may cause problems in a business context. Finally, some examples from real-life will help to illustrate your argument.
Introduction
Explain what the essay is about and how you will approach the topic. You will name your theory and explain that you will develop your argument by looking at the consequences of the different scores of your two countries on the Hofstede dimensions. The introduction should contain a sentence which summarises the whole essay including the conclusion (thesis statement).
Body of the essay
You should explain the theory that you are using with reference to the original texts (eg. Hofstede’s “Software of the Mind”) and showing awareness of criticisms and limitations of the theory.
Next, describe the view of each country in turn that is shown by their scores on each of the Hofstede dimensions.
Then, explain what problems might arise from the differences between the countries on each dimension and suggest possible solutions
Finally, give some real-life examples that illustrate the points you have made in the previous section.
Conclusion
Give a brief overview of the differences between the two countries as you have described them and a summary of the kinds of general problems that will arise as a result. Then, give some recommendations to practitioners who have to work in the context of the two countries.