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Culture and International Outsourcing

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Culture and International Outsourcing

Nettie Richard
Cleary University
International Business
MGT420
Professor Martin Anumba
January 5, 2015

CULTURE AND INTERNATIONAL OUTSOURCING
Hofstede's Cultural Dimensions
We know that we are living in a global age. Technology has brought everyone much closer together, even though we may be thousand miles apart. Today’s technology allow people of different cultures to work together and communicating in each other’s language with software that allows each to understand what is written through translation. With such achievements in today’s technology, it can also be frustrating and apprehensive with uncertainty about communicating with others that are not of the same culture. Building connections with people from around the world is just one dimension of cultural diversity.
How can we understand cultural differences? Are we relegated to learning from our mistakes, or are there generalized guidelines to follow? To our learning, psychologist Dr. Geert Hofstede asked himself this question in the 70’s. What emerged after a decade of research and many interviews is a model of cultural dimensions that has become an internationally recognized standard. Dr. Hofstede initially identified four distinct cultural dimensions that served to distinguish one culture from another. Later on he added a fifth dimension which is used today in gathering information about cultures and countries.
Dr. Hofstadter’s Five Dimensions of Culture * Individualism verses collectivism: This dimension identifies which culture emphasizes the individual versus the group. Those countries scoring high on this dimension value hard work and promote entrepreneurial risk taking. This fosters invention and innovation. There is freedom to focus on personal goals, but they will also be held accountable for their action. Bad business decisions are placed

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