PLS REWORD

MGM316-1402A-01

Quesadra D. Goodrum

Individual Project 1

Colorado Technical University

Professor: Edmund Winters

02/26/2014

Introduction

In order to come up with the best considerations to put in mind, it is important to understand the four countries in terms of their sociocultural values. The best way of achieving this is by using the 5-D model developed by the Hofstede centre. Hofstede will allow us to compare the United Arabs Emirates, Mexico, Israel and China. According to the 5-D model, the socio-cultural values are driven by five major drivers. These include the power distance, the individualism, the masculinity/femininity, uncertainty avoidance and long-term orientation (The Hofstede Centre 2013). These are some of the values I will consider. These values would enable me understand how well to handle or relate with the new employees from the new country.

For example, in terms of power distance, UAE believe that all individuals in societies are not equal. They believe that there is hierarchy in the society. As far as individualism is concerned, UAE live in collective life whereby they live in groups and take care of such groups in exchange for loyalty (The Hofstede Centre 2013). They also believe that future can be controlled because they score high in uncertainty avoidance. UAE is neither masculine nor feminine. Mexico and China shares the same cultural values as UAE. The difference is that China tends to believe that man cannot control uncertainty. China is also success oriented and driven. Mexico is also success oriented and driven. This means that people “live in order to work”, managers are expected to be decisive and assertive, the emphasis is on equity, competition and performance and conflicts are resolved by fighting them out (The Hofstede Centre 2013).Israel seem unique in the sense that they don’t believe that some people are powerful than others. The Israeli society is also a blend of individualistic and collectivistic cultures (The Hofstede Centre 2013). Israel also believes that fate can be controlled through hard work, precision and punctuality. Israel is neither masculine nor feminine.

What are some of the considerations to keep in mind concerning how these different social and religious values and cultures have on food preparation and eating?

Uncertainty avoidance is one of the cultural considerations to keep in mind. Those countries who believe that fate is predetermined may turn out to be rigid when it comes to accepting new values. This means that for me to introduce new food, I must know whether the country I intend to franchise can easily accept new values, new food and new products or whether they are rigid. From the Hofstede analysis, China is a country that has low uncertainty avoidance and tends to believe that man cannot control uncertainty.

The social behaviors to be sensitive to regarding employees and customers

Individualism, masculinity and power distance are some of the social behaviors I will consider. It is hard to have a good teamwork in a country that has high sense of individualism and power distance. For example, in a country that believe in hierarchy, the managers may tend to regard themselves special and avoid participating in teamwork. Masculine society means that hard work is valued. UAE, China and Mexico lives collectively (The Hofstede Centre 2013). They can cooperate towards a given goal. China and Mexico are masculine and hence would be productive towards the franchise. Israel and UAE, on the other hand are neither masculine nor feminine, meaning that I will have to encourage them to work hard. For those nations

The type of trainings that will be required

Trainings would just focus on instilling some of the best cultural values that would promote performance and productivity. For example, those countries that have individualistic cultures should be trained to value the teamwork and work collectivity. In addition, those who believe that fate cannot be changed should be trained to realize that through determination and hard work, fate can be altered. Lastly, the feminine society should be trained to become masculine.

 Ethical standards that you may need to develop

Respect of other people’s culture is one of the ethical requirement I should consider. I should realize that people are unique in many ways and hence I would not be indebted to change or dictate their cultures.

 Are the attitudes in these countries individualistic or collective? 

Some of the countries are individualistic whereas others are collective. For example, UAE, China and Mexico lives collectively, whereas the Israeli society is also a blend of individualistic and collectivistic (The Hofstede Centre 2013).

Part II

In Mexico, the culture shock I would experience concerns individualism. According to Hofstede analysis, Mexico scores 30 in individualism whereas US scores 100. This implies that Mexicans live collectively whereas US are very individualistic. Another culture shock is power distance. This is because Mexico is more hierarchical than US. Mexico scores 81, whereas US scores 31 (The Hofstede Centre 2013).

In China, the Individualism and power distance are also major cultural shocks I would experience. This is because China scores 20 in individualism and US scores 100, implying that China is a collective society (The Hofstede Centre 2013).

In Israel, the uncertainty avoidance is the major cultural shock I would experience. Israeli tend to believe that fate can be changed whereas US do not have such notion.. Similarly, individualism and power distance is the major culture shock I would experience in UAE.

Part III

How would you go about making sure the practice of an expeditor is legal?

The best thing that I can do it to integrate the expeditor into my business either formally or informally and assign him or her the role of expediting and then pay him or her like one of my employees.

Would you approve a paid transaction requested by an expeditor if it was acceptable in the country, but unethical back in the United States? (defend your position) What business ethics are involved in your decision making process?

Yes, I will approve because when I am in a new country, I have to adhere to the laws of that country. I will also focus on the principle of utilitarianism. This principle allows one to take the option that would bring more benefits.

What factors should you consider and who should you consult with and why?

I should consult on the laws of the new country because those are the new laws I would need to follow and adhere to.

References

The Hofstede Centre (2013). United Arabs Emirates. Retrieved from: http://geert-hofstede.com/arab-emirates.html

The Hofstede Centre (2013). Israel. Retrieved from: http://geert-hofstede.com/israel.html

The Hofstede Centre (2013). China. Retrieved from: http://geert-hofstede.com/china.html

The Hofstede Centre (2013). Mexico. Retrieved from: http://geert-hofstede.com/mexico.html