...Buyer Behavior Final Exam Essays Part 2: Short Essays (3 points) Please answer ALL 3 essay questions below. Each essay is worth 1 point. 1. Assuming an American retailer is considering opening an electronics store. Based on the information below, would you recommend Mexico or Ireland as a more attractive foreign market? Why? Be sure to explain the benefits of each country, and then why you ultimately chose one over the other. | Power Distance | Individualism | Masculinity | Uncertainty Avoidance | Total Cultural Distance from US | USA | 40 | 91 | 62 | 46 | | Mexico | 81 | 30 | 69 | 92 | 86 | Ireland | 28 | 70 | 68 | 35 | 37 | Based on the above information, I would recommend Ireland as a more attractive foreign market to open an electronics store. The reasons are that by analyzing the table: Power Distance is the extent to which people accept as fact the principle of the division of authorities and priviledge among different groups within society. High power distance nations certain consumer behaviors are designated to individuals by class or status. Authority appeals in marketing are more effective. With all this in mind we see that Mexico has a higher power distance but this is not necessarily an important factor when making the market decision Individualism – people expect each other to take responsibility for themselves and their family. High individualistic societies place high value on self-reliance, individual initiative and personal...
Words: 1079 - Pages: 5
...EMPL 3270: NEGOTIATION – THEORY & PRACTICE RESEARCH ESSAY Q2: According to Fells (2012, p.207) “As a negotiation unfolds, it is easy to attribute any behaviour, particularly behaviour that is different to your own, to culture and so ignore the many similarities”. Consider this statement with reference to contemporary research on cross-cultural negotiation and use examples to illustrate your analysis Introduction: Former President and charismatic leader of the United States John F. Kennedy once stated that, “We cannot negotiate with people who say what's mine is mine and what's yours is negotiable” (Kennedy, 1961). This timeless quotation epitomizes and typifies in essence what can commonly be regarded as cooperative negotiation. Formally, the term negotiation is commonly defined as two or more parties or groups deliberating amongst each other endeavoring to achieve a decisive result, which is mutually beneficial for both entities. When considering the process of negotiation across contrasting geographic locations or countries, negotiators have to understand the repercussions which heterogeneous cultures have in the final outcome of a potential deliberation. Culture is defined as the ‘unwritten rules of society’ (Hofstede et al, 2010) and most typically refers to those characteristics or values, which are unconsciously embedded in a large group of citizens through the ongoing processes of tradition and various forms of education. Understanding the pertinence of cultural...
Words: 2536 - Pages: 11
...Culture and Performance Jason D. Carr Grantham University Culture and Performance Throughout this short essay there will be many different forms of how an organization’s culture affects its own performances. Specifically dwelling within the thoughts of individualism versus collectivism. Secondly with power distance, uncertainty along with risk avoidance strategies. Finally, the topics of achievement versus nurturing orientation on how the lye on organizational performances. An individualistic society depends upon the values of freedom and independence, while a collectivistic society depends on group harmony and consensus. The values in each society play an intricate role in developing communication styles for a business message targeted at each specific audience (Study). The main advantage of individualism within the business world is the concept of “freedom of speech”. With this process, it allows everyone’s opinions to be heard and also serves as a great check and balance within the team. However with every topic, there is also the down side too. The disadvantage of this is that it enables self-centeredness and if you are one of the weaker ones of the team, it allows you to be pushed around. The entire thought of individualism is for personal gain. Collectivism deals mainly with proper teamwork, minimizing confrontations as much as possible and promoting strong harmony within the team. With this topic it does not allow for true creativity and thoughtful openness...
Words: 1041 - Pages: 5
...dimension, some indications have been provided to business and corporations’ practices. It has shown from research that power can never be equally balanced between people. People come from different countries with different cultural backgrounds may have divers perceptions toward such unequal distribution of power. It is apparent that people from some cultures or countries such as Japan, China, and Malaysia are more tolerant of power inequality than those from western countries as Canada, America or Netherlands. Japan is a representative country known as its high power distance compared to other countries. Japanese employees are highly depending on their boss or people who are higher position than they are insight of whether their performance or behavior is right or wrong. People who are less powerful in the workplace are generally not encouraged or too afraid to express their disagreement or opposite idea to their managers or senior workers. On the other hand, in the western countries such as America, employees or even children are encouraged to express their feeling or even disagreements to their managers or parents even if it could be a little disrespectful. Brainstorming is one of the key to enhance people’s creativity to most western countries but being considered as disrespectful in most Asian corporations. Culture difference results in different power distance in the workplace have been an essential issue for managers to regulate their employees with different backgrounds...
Words: 758 - Pages: 4
...“Internationalisation of operations is critical to a company’s success in today’s competitive environment” Internationalisation of operations is a huge issue which has faced many companies in today’s competitive business environment. With the increase in communications and ability to reach other countries being cheaper and easier in the 21st century, many companies have chosen to internationalise and expand on the domestic market in order to generate greater profits and become household names internationally. This essay will look at how American born company Wal-Mart Stores, Inc has grown and seen successes and failures in the international environment. It also will look at reasons behind the failures in relation to culture, using the venture into the world’s third largest retail market, Germany as the main focus for the essay. Firstly, this essay will look at culture and some theories that surround it and also look at different dimensions that make up culture. The definition of culture according to the Oxford Dictionary (1992) is: “the arts and other manifestations of human intellectual achievement regarded collectively or a refined understanding or appreciation of culture”. The theory that has been chosen to outline culture is Geert Hofstede’s five dimensions. The reason Hofstede’s theory has been used as an example in this case is because of the extensive research that he has put into developing his theories, as well as its relevance to the Wal-Mart failure in...
Words: 2553 - Pages: 11
...The purpose of this report is to explore the cultural determinants of both Japan and United States. The report elucidates the differences between the two countries in terms of leadership styles as influenced by their respective different cultures. The reason in selecting Japan as one of the research countries is because of its deep rooted strong cultural beliefs and group centered style in a business perspective. It is well known to the world that Japan is a closed economy but at the same time, extremely competitive. On the other hand, United States make a good contrast in terms of its open culture and individualistic style of doing business. Despite the differences, both are amongst the most competitive and successful nations in the world. The compromising Japanese and confrontational Americans do make this research journey an exciting and interesting one. Different cultures exist in the world and their impact on leadership styles in their respective countries is significant. As defined by Luthans and Doh (2009, p96), “Culture is the acquired knowledge that people use to interpret experience and generate social behaviour.” And culture is gained through transmissions between individuals in forms of symbols, rituals, languages, stories told and etc. It will be interesting to find out that the countries’ cultures do in fact influence their leadership styles to quite a great extent. In this report, two entirely different cultures; Japan and United States will be explored in...
Words: 6990 - Pages: 28
... | | Experiential Analysis A Reflective Structured Essay Introduction A successful organisation is built on the communication that develops between its constituents (Dietz & Den Hartog 2006). Encouraging efficient communication within any organisation can prove a difficult task, especially when faced with the complexity of a diverse workforce. The organisation being considered is a small accounting company (‘The Company’) located in Zimbabwe, South Africa. Due to its ‘multiplicity of traditions and skin tones’ (Brand South Africa 2011), South Africa has been portrayed as a ‘Rainbow Nation’ since the end of the Apartheid era. When diversity is not managed and monitored carefully, differences can lead to highly counter-productive communication dilemmas. Two fundamental aspects of diversity will be discussed: Firstly, cultural differences are common throughout The Company and have proven to be an issue of emotional and economic importance. Five of Hofstede’s (1994) dimensions of culture can be used to explain the reluctance of employees from different countries to effortlessly integrate their personalities and ideas within The Company. Power distance, individualism, uncertainty avoidance, masculinity and long-term orientation will be analysed in terms of their affect on interpersonal communication between culturally diverse...
Words: 3237 - Pages: 13
...$6 per unit. Assume the American team embodies the following Hofstede’s cultural dimensions: •Individualistic (negotiators from individualistic cultures may be more likely to swap negotiators. Getting the best deal for self is important.) •Low-power distance (cultures with low power distance are more likely to spread the decision making throughout the organization (utilization of vertical decision making). Options by other members of the organization/team are welcomed and it is possible to question a leader’s decision) •Short-term orientation (building and marinating relationship is only valued during the negotiation process. Once negotiations conclude, so does the relationship. ) •Low-context (XXXX) While on the other hand, there is an all-female negotiating team from China that offers cell phones with a $9 per unit price tag. Yet, the Chinese team embodies the following Hofstede’s cultural dimensions: •Collectivistic (collectivistic societies integrate individuals into cohesive groups, largely compressed of governments, which practices what is best for the welfare of all over individualism.) •High-power distance (According to Hofstede, cultures with greater power distance will...
Words: 1082 - Pages: 5
...Essay Topic Why is the study of Different Theories of Motivation important to managers? The World has changed at a very fast pace and will continue to do so. The view point that many prominent researchers had on motivation has also evolved with changing times. There has been a phenomenal change in the way organizations and individuals function in the twenty first century if we made a comparison with how organizations functioned back in the day. There is a significantly greater focus today on employee satisfaction, work life balance, cross cultural values, virtual teams and formal performance management processes to name a few. Globalization is one the key factors which has brought a prominent change in many organizational practices in the twenty first century. Hershey and Blanchard (1977) mentioned that “motives can be defined as needs, wants, drives or impulses within the individual which are directed towards goals which may be conscious or sub conscious”. Motivation has been defined by Robbins, Decenzo and Coulter (2011) as “motivation is the process by which a person’s efforts are energized, directed, and sustained towards attaining a goal “ In this paper we will define motivation as the force which helps an individual focus on his immediate and long term goals and helps him run the extra mile. Also in this essay we will be focusing on the impact of culture on organizational behavior and the reasons why managers need to be aware of various motivational theories so that they...
Words: 2271 - Pages: 10
...trade, investment among people, organisations and governments from different countries (Chen, 1999). This process has effects on the environment, culture, political systems, and economic development around the world (Deresky, 2008). Due to globalization, the international dimension of management has become a major challenge to countries, institutions and people. International management is becoming more important within the academic setting. International management is a process of developing strategies, designing and operating systems, and working with people around the world to ensure sustained competitive advantage (Sepehri, 2010, as cited in Lecture notes 1). This essay identifies the challenges of operating in different national cultures for international managers by using Hofstede’s theory. In addition, the essay explains international skills and knowledges required by managers to be successful in different countries. Cultural Value Dimensions Culture in a global economy is one of the most important factors in global economy. In international management research, Hofstede defined culture as "…the collective programming of the mind which distinguishes the members of one group or category of people from those of another" (Hofstede, 1991, as cited in Jones, 2007). Within the context of international management, culture involves different dimensions. Four major dimensions provide frameworks for identifying international differences in culture (Jones, 2007). First, GLOBE...
Words: 2294 - Pages: 10
...and celebration of shared even if illusory beliefs, James,(1988: 43). This essay will discuss how mass communications has transformed the temporal and spatial foundations of the social-sphere. This essay will start by defining the key terms which are communication, mass communication, and the para-social. The separation of social space from the physical place by mass communications, time and space and mass communications will also be discussed in the essay. The para-social interactions, how mass communications transformed the temporal and spatial foundations of the social sphere will then follow. The ritual dimensions of communication will also be discussed, the essay will then sum up the essay and give the researcher’s opinion. Definition of key terms Communication refers to the transmission of meaningful messages; these messages are conveyed in images, language, gestures, or other symbols. Thompson. (1997:30) Anthony R, (2004), defines mass communication as the process in which professional communicators design and use media to disseminate messages widely, rapidly, and continuously in order to arouse intended meanings in large, diverse, and selectively attending audiences in attempts to influence them in a variety of ways. A ritual is defined as a temporary, desirable generally and usually form of trance exhibited in the context of religion ceremony and belief attributed to the power of sympathetic spirits, Thaipusan, B, (2006). The separation of social space...
Words: 2644 - Pages: 11
...Philip Lee Joor Baruah Monday- 11:15-12:30 Film 20A 30 October 2014 Citizen Kane Sequence Analysis Essay Mise-en-scene, cinematography and editing are visual elements in film that create meaning in the shots/sequences of the film. Ultimately it is these factors that can establish narrative agents and their relations, drive the narrative and place the view in a certain point of view of the narrative. Orson Welle’s 1941 film, Citizen Kane, is considered significant for its technical innovations with its use of deep focus lenses, low angles, high contrast lighting, long takes and dissolves. In my essay I will be analyzing the sequence depicting Kane’s “Declaration of Principles.” I will show how the elements of mise-en-scene, the cinematography and editing choices help to visually depict Kane as a powerful subject, establish narrative conflict and create perspective within the sequence. Through sequence of Kane’s “Declaration of Principles” Kane is depicted as a powerful narrative agent through social blocking in the sequence’s mise-en- scene. Throughout the long third shot, Kane is placed centrally and stands the tallest compared to Leland and Bernstein. Through the cinematic use of deep focus lenses that manages to capture Leland, Kane and Bernstein positioned in the background, mid ground and foreground all in focus at the same time. This allows for Kane to dominate the mise-en-scene in spatial relations to his friends. His physical relations to his friends and the surrounding...
Words: 1597 - Pages: 7
...Culture Impact on German Negotiation Style Chen Shuqi SEIB Abstract As the increasing frequency of international trades， international negotiation skills draw a lot of attention. Regarded as a major barrier for cross-cultural communication, understanding culture difference is of signification . This essay will firstly introduce the study history and relevant definitions of international negotiation and how culture factors impact on negotiation style. Considering the gradual closed trade relationship between Germany and China and the commonly acknowledged differences of national cultures between them, this essay would firstly analyzes images of Germans for the general Chinese in a book, Die Langnasen . Further, it clarifies German negotiation style basing on analysis from Hofstede's cultural dimensions theory. We find out that some of German business behaviors from the theory don’t fit with our general impression as the book concludes. After discussion about the deficiency of the theory or possible stereotype of the book, we try to present a modification of the prevalent impression about German negotiation style, and give some suggestion about how to carry out a better international business negotiation with Germans. It may be possible to provide us a better understanding in successful negotiation process with Germans. Key words: International negotiation, German culture, German negotiation style 德国文化对其谈判风格的影响 陈舒祺 国际商务英语学院 2011级国际商务管理 摘 要: 随着跨国贸易的频率迅速增长，国际商务谈判技巧尤为重要。...
Words: 7943 - Pages: 32
...Implementing the use of social networking and mobile devices in education could have very positive impacts on our learning process, leading to a more satisfying and pleasing learning environment. With the literature presented, this essay will explore how these different forms of technologies should be implemented and how they would best supplement the education process today. This will all be used to support the claim that mobile technologies and social networking are both supplemental to the president day education system. In Hung and Yuen’s article “Educational Use of Social Networking Technology in Higher Education” they conduct an experiment studying how social networking could supplement a face to face course. They were looking to see if it would enhance the students’ sense of community and conclude that students had an overwhelmingly positive response when supplementing their face-to-face courses with the social networking site. They discuss that the students’ positive learning experience was related to the information-sharing feature and the interactional function of technology (Hsiu-Ting 712). In Fuegen’s article “The Impact of Mobile Technologies on Distance Education” she ultimately decides that the increased flexibility, minimizing of transactional distance, and educational benefits seem to outweigh the disadvantages of mobile...
Words: 2099 - Pages: 9
...Island Power Systems Nowadays energy consumption is growing with a very big rate. As result, we need to produce more electricity. Despite of technological progress there are many areas in the world without electrical provision or with a very bad quality of it. Such places are characterized with remote location from big cities with power stations and electrical grids. There are two possible solutions to this problem: extension of the interconnected network or building of a stand alone power system. The aim of this essay to describe key points that must be taken into account for making better choice between these variants by the example of three types of community with using of renewable energy. Let’s consider the key factors which must be taken into account when making the decision of whether to extend the interconnected network or to build a stand alone power system. First, we should pay attention on the distance between remote community and the grid. If it is too long, it is not effective to extent the grid because of costs, safety risks, efficiency. In addition, we need to know consuming level of energy by the community and its daily distribution. Therefore, we will have to meet existing sweeps and swags for better quality of electrical provision, regular work of electronics and lightning. Probably energy storages will be used for it. Also weather conditions are important for the decision. They have influence on a choice of a kind of renewable energy that will be used....
Words: 963 - Pages: 4
