Group 159

1. Group 159 Integration: Cultures merging for this part of the experiment were Four Russian cosmonauts, who had already been in the capsule for 120 days Austrian male, Japanese male and a French Canadian woman. Four different and distinct cultural backgrounds, and of course, two genders. The Russians had already been in the capsule when the newcomers arrived, and found it difficult to integrate. The researcher said "it took them at least three weeks to feel absolutely free when they appear in the room of another crew. , that is all stressful but that is not artificial that is real life like its real life in the space station" Integration with a new crew turned out to be extremely stressful and challenging for many of the crew. Integration of new members: Merging Organisational cultures brings challenges and potential difficulties. An issue affecting the success of the experiment was the integration of the various cultures.

2. Group 159 Integration: McGraw Hill discusses the forms of Integration that may occur with the merger of organisational cultures and suggests that. there are several possibilities Organisations who are merging, may use Assimilation, or Deculturation, with the more dominant culture being imposed. The experiment revealed several weaknesses, and one of them is that there was not sufficient integration, there was instead extreme culture clash. The KISS itself was not the big problem, but the underlying cause was the lack of understanding on successful integration, Cultural and Gender Differences affecting integration • DOMINANT CULTURE • Dominant culture is imposed • Discard personal and cultural values • Difficult to adopt • Cultural intrusions delay and undermine goals • High conflict, exit and termination • INTEGRATION • Merges cultures into a new composite culture • Ideal when several overlapping values • Retains best features of all cultures • Existing cultures can be improved • Less conflict due to merged values and expectations

3. Group 159 Integration: Cultural and Gender Differences affecting integration Judith Lapierre interview about gender roles (click image to play) • SHE SAID (Lapierre) : • Expected Russians to have similar values to the men from her culture. • She expected to be treated with respect • She expected to be treated as an individual with skills and weakness, as do all people regardless of gender • Was open to working with all male crew, though expected another female. • . ( shared values organisational assumption pg 539) .s (big 5-agreeableness and openness to new experiences) • Did not expect to feel unsafe, • Expected another female, as she would in the "real world". It has been said; Men are from Mars, women are from Venus (the reference here is author John Grey Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus) John Gray. Image ..The Russians said the kiss was just a misunderstanding and that Lapierre was over reacting to the incident. It became a case of he said/ she said.

4. Group 159 Integration: Cultures merging for this part of the experiment were Four Russian cosmonauts, who had already been in the capsule for 120 days Austrian male, Japanese male and a French Canadian woman. Four different and distinct cultural backgrounds, and of course, two genders. The Russians had already been in the capsule when the newcomers arrived, and found it difficult to integrate. The researcher said "it took them at least three weeks to feel absolutely free when they appear in the room of another crew. , that is all stressful but that is not artificial that is real life like its real life in the space station" Integration with a new crew turned out to be extremely stressful and challenging for many of the crew. • HE SAID: • Female on the crew should: • Be a caring mother • Junior assistant • One that men would like to save • One men would bear children with • Be non equal • Bad if feminist. • McGraw on Gender.

5. Group 159 Integration: #) Neither culture gives up their values, but both cultures are improved. #) Merging the best of each culture into a new composite culture, and focusing each team member on the new culture, its goals and objectives. Was this experiment a failure? NO! Both teams learnt what not to do, and as a result can improve the likelihood that space missions may be more harmonious! How could they have better prepared for Integration? #) Prepare , and take time! #) Awareness of each others culture, in regards to gender roles, and work roles, BEFORE the experiment #) Identify values of each culture in the merger. #) Identify expectations of each culture merging. Integration, with hard work and dedication, "it won't happen overnight, but it will happen"