READING 4: MANAGING ACROSS CULTURES PRE-READING TASKS Section 1: Discussion What is a multinational company? Can you tell the names of some multinational companies? What is culture? What are the elements of culture? Can you give some examples of differences in business cultures? Why should managers take cross-cultural management into consideration? What are the advantages and disadvantages of a multinational company adapting its management methods to the local culture in each country in which it operates? In Vietnam, what gains respect within an organization, long service or achievements? Can a young, dynamic aggressive manager with an MBA rise quickly in the hierarchy? Section 2: Vocabulary Preparation Match the words in the box with the definitions below Collectivist Improvise compromise confrontation connections interrupt intuition logic eye contact lose face glocalization status An invented word combining worldwide and regional concerns Thought based on reason and judgement rather than feelings and emotions A face-to-face disagreement or argument Reducing demands or changing opinions in order to agree Understanding or knowing without consciously using reason People of influence or importance with whom you are associated To something when necessary without having already planned it Respect, prestige or importance given to someone Believing that the group is more important than the individual 10 To be humiliated or disrespected in public 11 To cut into someone else’s turn to speak 12 Looking directly at the people you are talking or listening to - Fill in each gap with a suitable preposition The conflict _ globalization and localization has led to the invention of the word “glocalization” Were you successful persuading him to change his mind? Children need to be aware the danger of taking drugs A good manager is one who always makes plans advance Businesspeople in Britain, the USA and Germany believe _ respecting rules, regulations and contracts Multi-active cultures in Southern Europe, Latin America and Africa attach more importance emotions, intuition, and relationships People in multi-active cultures are good changing plans According to universalists, rules should be applied _ everybody People in linear-cultures are not afraid _ confrontation 10 People in multi-active cultures often like to many things once PART 3: WHILE-READING TASKS Comprehension Questions Why is it important for companies to be aware of local cultures? ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… What are the differences between individualists and collectivists? ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… Who is more likely to think: “I’ll let them speak first.”? ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… Who is more likely to say, about other people: “They can’t be trusted because they will always help their friends or family” – universalists or particularists? ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… Who is more likely to say: “Oh, you can’t trust them, they wouldn’t even help a friend? ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… - Look at the Lewis Model What are the implications of each color (blue, red, yellow)? Check your understanding Which type of culture these people belong to - linear- active (L), multi-active (M) or reactive (R)? They are punctual They are emotional They are unemotional They often change plans They plan ahead step by step They are flexible They are people- oriented They are task-oriented They like to only one thing at a time 10 They like to several things at once 11 They are impatient 12 They are patient, but sometimes impatient 13 They react to partner’s actions 14 They not talk too much 15 They avoid offending and upsetting people 16 They often interrupt speakers 17 They not interrupt speakers 18 They consider relationships as important issues 19 They give great value to face 20 They always take rules/ regulations into account 21 They not like to look at each other in communication 22 They listen rather than speak What does each of the underlined parts refer to? “ if it required only one set of corporate objectives, goals, policies “ (Para 2) “They are essentially individualist” (Para 3) Find words & expressions with the following meanings: Based on reasons rather than emotions Take priority Create or devise a plan/ a strategy Reach an agreement with mutual concession PART 4: POST-READING TASKS Speaking Practice Among the three types of culture, which one you think Vietnamese people belong to? Which type are you typical of? Why? - Vocabulary Review - New Context Fill in each blank with a suitable word given in the box Rational – confronted – principles – belief – precedence – inventions – formulate – eye contact - improvise - compromise – globalization – behavior - emotionally – aware - intuitions - regulations - represents - reacts – in advance is the process of making something such as a business operate in a lot of different countries all around the world The _ of Management are the essential, underlying factors that form the foundations of successful management He was highly motivated by his own in the value of hard work There is no doubt that our lives would be very different without the of Thomas Alva Edison Students are required to give _ explanations in their assignments Can you explain what the bar chart ………………… ? Nursing is an _ and physically demanding job To _ is to make a deal between different parties where each party gives up part of their demand Have you ever been by a hostile, angry person? 10 What you think about a society where money takes over everything? - ... important issues 19 They give great value to face 20 They always take rules/ regulations into account 21 They not like to look at each other in communication 22 They listen rather than speak What does... PART 4: POST -READING TASKS Speaking Practice Among the three types of culture, which one you think Vietnamese people belong to? Which type are you typical of? Why? - Vocabulary Review - New... confrontation 10 People in multi-active cultures often like to many things once PART 3: WHILE -READING TASKS Comprehension Questions Why is it important for companies to be aware of local cultures?