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A Cultural Model. Environment. Time. Thinking. 1. 10. 2. Action. CULTURAL ORIENTATION TO 10 VARIABLES. 9. Structure. 3. Communication. Competitiveness. 8. 4. Individualism. 7. 5. Space. 6. Power. Environment – Control vs Harmony vs Constraint. USA W.Europe Israel. Asia.
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A Cultural Model Environment Time Thinking 1. 10. 2. Action CULTURAL ORIENTATION TO 10 VARIABLES 9. Structure 3. Communication Competitiveness 8. 4. Individualism 7. 5. Space 6. Power
Environment – Control vs Harmony vs Constraint • USA • W.Europe • Israel • Asia • Israel • Russia • Middle East • Latin America • Africa
Environment • Dominant mode: constraint, even fatalism • People see their lives governed by external elements: the climate, foreign governments, internal, often authoritarian governments • Reasons for this are minimal educational opportunities and infrastructures, dependence on foreign aid • Change has been mostly externally driven but this is changing as the West leaves Africa to its own devices SO…
Fatalism and the burden of the sacred • In the Western world, the management of a modern enterprise rest mainly on rational considerations – clear standards of performance and productivity • For many Africans, their progress depends on hidden and mystical forces. Their promotion is a result of the work of a magician or their chief – it is linked with magical powers
Guidelines • Be realistic – don’t raise expectations too high • Don’t try to force change. Facilitate change by persistence
Time – Monochronic vs Polychronic • USA • N. Europeans • Japan • Hong Kong • Korea • S.Europeans • Middle East • Latin Americans • Israel • Africa • S.E. Asia
Time • In most of Africa, time is fluid, not linear • Relationships are more important than time lines and schedules • Business is postponed by sitting and talking until comfort is established and relationship built • Patience is a survival skill, not just a virtue
Time - Elderliness is not a disease, but a wealth • Time is abundant • The concept of future is foreign to much African thinking. • Actual time is the present and the past – time moves backwards, not forwards • Christianity and Western concepts are changing the concept of time, creating concern for the future, for education and for growth • SO…
A patient man will eat ripe fruits. Guidelines • Don’t show impatience or try to hurry – you may be seen as trying to cheat • Slow down – don’t fight against local time • Show respect for traditions • Be flexible. Put your watch in your pocket
Time – Present vs Past vs Future • East Asia • Latin America • Israel • Latin America • Africa • Middle East • Africa • America • Canada • East Asia