This course explains different dimensions of the cultures both theoretically and based on the statistical data. It starts with the
levels of the culture and explains dimensions of the national cultures. It follows with the role of the cultural prerequisites in
the models of organizations. Finally we will cover intercultural encounters of different levels of social relationships. The
course will help students to get a critical overview on the cultural differences which would make easier intercultural
understanding and cooperation. The course will be most helpful for future managers of multinational institutions, social
workers, and all students who want to increase their understanding of reasons determining peoples' behavior.
Poslední úprava: Bc. Lenka Lukešová (07.06.2011)
This course explains the different dimensions of cultures from theoretical and statistical perspectives. It starts with
the levels of culture and explains dimensions of the national cultures. If follows with the role of cultural
prerequisites in the
models of organisations. Finally, we shall cover intercultural encounters of different levels of social relationships.
The course helps students develop critical awareness of cultural differences which would make intercultural
understanding and
co-operation easier. The course shall be the most helpful for future managers of multinational institutions, social
workers, and all
students who wish to increase their understanding of reasons determining peoples' behaviour.
The teacher expects active participation of the students on the lessons. All ideas, reflections, examples and
comments of
the students are welcome.
Metody výuky
Poslední úprava: BLACKMAMBA (03.04.2009)
The teacher expects active participation of the students on the lessons. All the ideas, reflections, examples and comments of the students are welcome. In order to get credits for the course one has to be present at at least half of the lectures and successfully pass the final test (in written form).
Sylabus -
Poslední úprava: JOSIFKO (09.01.2008)
Course schedule
Note: the schedule is tentative only. It may be shifted according to the actual speed of the lectures.
Planned amount of hours: 13 lectures 1,5 hours each
1 Introduction
Levels of culture
Culture as mental programming
Symbols, heroes, rituals and values
Layers of culture
Dimensions of national cultures
Cultural differences according to region, religion, gender and class
2 National cultures: inequality in society
Inequality in society
Power distance differences within countries: social class, educational level, and occupation
Power distance differences among countries: roots in the family
Power distance at school
3 National cultures: inequality in society
Power distance in the workplace
Power distance and the state
Power distance and ideas
The origins and the future of power distance differences
4 National cultures: I, we, and they
The individual and the collective in society
Collectivism versus power distance
Individualism and collectivism according to occupation
Individualism and collectivism in the family and at school
5 National cultures: I, we, and they
Individualism and collectivism in the workplace
Individualism, collectivism and the state
Individualism, collectivism and ideas
The origins and the future of individualism and collectivism
6 National cultures: he, she, and (s)he
Assertiveness versus modesty
Masculinity-femininity as a dimension of societal culture
Masculinity and femininity according to occupation
Masculinity and femininity in the family and at school
7 National cultures: he, she, and (s)he
Masculinity and femininity in the work place
Masculinity and femininity, and the state
Masculinity and femininity, and ideas
The origins and the future of masculinity-femininity differences
8 National cultures: what is different is dangerous
The avoidance of uncertainty
Uncertainty avoidance according to occupation, sex and age
Uncertainty avoidance in the family and at school
Uncertainty avoidance in the workplace
9 National cultures: what is different is dangerous
Uncertainty avoidance, masculinity and motivation
Uncertainty avoidance and the state
Uncertainty avoidance religion and ideas
The origins and the future of uncertainty avoidance differences
10 Pyramids, machines, markets, and families
Implicit models of organizations
Clashes between organizational models
Culture and organizational structure
Power distance, uncertainty avoidance, and motivation
11 Organizational cultures: from fad to management tool
The organizational culture craze
Difference between organizational and national cultures
A qualitative-quantitative study of organizational cultures
Results of the survey: six dimensions of organizational cultures
12 Organizational cultures: from fad to management tool
Business cultures and the scope for competitive advantages in cultural matters
Organizational culture and other organizational characteristics
Sense and nonsense about organizational cultures
Managing (with) organizational culture
13 Intercultural encounters
Intended versus unintended cultural conflict
Group encounters: auto- and hetero-stereotypes
Intercultural encounters in development cooperation
Intercultural encounters in international negotiations
Coordinating multinationals: structure should follow the culture
14 Surviving in a multicultural world
The message of this course
Cultural convergence and divergence
Suggestions for parents, managers and the media
Global challenges call for intercultural co-operation
Political developments
If the time permits it is also possible to cover the following
Virtue versus Truth
Cultural biases in the researchers' minds
Creating a non-Western bias: the Chinese value survey
Confucian dynamism as a fifth dimension
Confucius and economic growth
Western minds and Eastern minds
Literature
The principal book is Geert Hofstede. 1994. Cultures and Organizations. Software of the Mind. HarperCollinsPublishers. London.
Besides this students are encouraged to review the following
Brislin, Richard W., Kenneth Cushner, Craig Cherrie and Mahealani Yong. 1986. Intercultural Interactions: A Practical Guide Beverly Hills CA: Sage Publications
Fisher, Glen. 1988. Mindsets: The Role of Culture and Perception in International Relations Yarmouth ME: Intercultural Press
Harding, Stephen and David Phillips, with Michael Fogarty. 1986. Contrasting Values in Western Europe London: Macmillan.
Poslední úprava: JOSIFKO (09.01.2008)
Course schedule
Note: the schedule is tentative only. It may be shifted according to the actual speed of the lectures.
Planned amount of hours: 14 lectures 1,5 hours each
1 Introduction
Levels of culture
Culture as mental programming
Symbols, heroes, rituals and values
Layers of culture
Dimensions of national cultures
Cultural differences according to region, religion, gender and class
2 National cultures: inequality in society
Inequality in society
Power distance differences within countries: social class, educational level, and occupation
Power distance differences among countries: roots in the family
Power distance at school
3 National cultures: inequality in society
Power distance in the workplace
Power distance and the state
Power distance and ideas
The origins and the future of power distance differences
4 National cultures: I, we, and they
The individual and the collective in society
Collectivism versus power distance
Individualism and collectivism according to occupation
Individualism and collectivism in the family and at school
5 National cultures: I, we, and they
Individualism and collectivism in the workplace
Individualism, collectivism and the state
Individualism, collectivism and ideas
The origins and the future of individualism and collectivism
6 National cultures: he, she, and (s)he
Assertiveness versus modesty
Masculinity-femininity as a dimension of societal culture
Masculinity and femininity according to occupation
Masculinity and femininity in the family and at school
7 National cultures: he, she, and (s)he
Masculinity and femininity in the work place
Masculinity and femininity, and the state
Masculinity and femininity, and ideas
The origins and the future of masculinity-femininity differences
8 National cultures: what is different is dangerous
The avoidance of uncertainty
Uncertainty avoidance according to occupation, sex and age
Uncertainty avoidance in the family and at school
Uncertainty avoidance in the workplace
9 National cultures: what is different is dangerous
Uncertainty avoidance, masculinity and motivation
Uncertainty avoidance and the state
Uncertainty avoidance religion and ideas
The origins and the future of uncertainty avoidance differences
10 Pyramids, machines, markets, and families
Implicit models of organizations
Clashes between organizational models
Culture and organizational structure
Power distance, uncertainty avoidance, and motivation
11 Organizational cultures: from fad to management tool
The organizational culture craze
Difference between organizational and national cultures
A qualitative-quantitative study of organizational cultures
Results of the survey: six dimensions of organizational cultures
12 Organizational cultures: from fad to management tool
Business cultures and the scope for competitive advantages in cultural matters
Organizational culture and other organizational characteristics
Sense and nonsense about organizational cultures
Managing (with) organizational culture
13 Intercultural encounters
Intended versus unintended cultural conflict
Group encounters: auto- and hetero-stereotypes
Intercultural encounters in development cooperation
Intercultural encounters in international negotiations
Coordinating multinationals: structure should follow the culture
14 Surviving in a multicultural world
The message of this course
Cultural convergence and divergence
Suggestions for parents, managers and the media
Global challenges call for intercultural co-operation
Political developments
If the time permits it is also possible to cover the following
Virtue versus Truth
Cultural biases in the researchers' minds
Creating a non-Western bias: the Chinese value survey
Confucian dynamism as a fifth dimension
Confucius and economic growth
Western minds and Eastern minds
Literature
The principal book is Geert Hofstede. 1994. Cultures and Organizations. Software of the Mind. HarperCollinsPublishers. London.
Besides this students are encouraged to review the following
Brislin, Richard W., Kenneth Cushner, Craig Cherrie and Mahealani Yong. 1986. Intercultural Interactions: A Practical Guide Beverly Hills CA: Sage Publications
Fisher, Glen. 1988. Mindsets: The Role of Culture and Perception in International Relations Yarmouth ME: Intercultural Press
Harding, Stephen and David Phillips, with Michael Fogarty. 1986. Contrasting Values in Western Europe London: Macmillan.