Sociocultural Forces
Chapter 6
Culture
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“The sum total of beliefs, rues, techniques,
institutions, and artifacts that characterize
human populations.”
Learned patterns of behavior
Ethnocentricity
Effects on
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Marketing
HR
Production
Sociocultural Components
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Aesthetics
Attitudes and Beliefs
Religion
Material Culture
Education
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Language
Societal Organizations
Legal Characteristics
Political Structures
Aesthetics
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Art
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Symbols
Feng shui
Music
Folklore
Attitudes and Beliefs
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Attitude toward time
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What do Americans want?
Be punctual
Manana
Siestas
Impressions of Americans
Directness and drive
 Deadlines
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Attitudes and Beliefs
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Attitudes toward Achievement
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Americans
Some other countries
Demonstration effect
 Job prestige
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Attitudes toward Change
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What hastens change?
Religion
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U.S.
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Christian
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Atonement through Christ
Catholicism
Protestant work ethic
Asian Religions
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Hinduism
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Cycle of birth, death, and reincarnation
Caste system
Buddhism
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Renounce desires to achieve enlightenment
Religion
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Asian Religions (cont’d)
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Jainism
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Sikhism
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Jen, Li
Taoism
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Bridge between Islam and Hinduism
Confucianism
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Nonviolence doctrine
Yin/Yang
Shintoism
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Japan
Religion
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Islam
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Five pillars
Two divisions
Shia
 Sunni
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Animism
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Spirits in nature
Material Culture
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What is it?
Technology
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Seven benefits
Concerns
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Cultural aspects
Technological dualism
Appropriate technology
Boomerang effect
Government conrols
Education
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Yardsticks
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Brain Drain
Reverse Brain Drain
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Literacy
Trends
Why?
Women’s Education Trends
Language
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Spoken Language
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Delineate cultures
Foreign languages
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Lingua franca
English as formal language of business
Why learn a foreign language?
Translation
Backwards translation
Technical terms
French v. English
No Unpleasantness
Language
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Unspoken Language
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Gestures
Closed doors
Office size and location
Conversational distance
Language
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Gift-Giving
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Acceptable gifts
Bribery
Extortion
Transparency International
Questionable
Greasing the skids
 Foreign Corrupt Practices Act
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Societal Organization
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Kinship
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Extended
Member’s responsibility
Surnames
Associations
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Age
Gender
Free association
National Cultures
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Hofstede
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Individualism v. Collectivism
Large v. Small Power Distance
Strong v. Weak Uncertainty Avoidance
Masculinity v. Femininity