individual assignment for the course: "multi-cultural management" Halmstad University

1. Assignment 1
Seminar 1, Multi-cultural Management
Corinna, 16.04.2012

2. Introduction
• viewpoint for the assignment 1:
What is culture from my point of view and how did the
experiences with different cultures form my actual
perspective about culture as well as my behavior with
people from other cultures?
• affected by social surrounding, living conditions, society
• promoted with my behavior and the way I interact with
different people
 2 main issues: (1) milestones in my life
(2) effects on my perspective & behavior
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3. (1) Milestones in my life
I. Growing up
II. Travelling in Europe
III. Move to begin bachelor studies
IV. Move to begin master studies
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4. (2) Effects on perspective and behavior
I. My theory about social grouping
II. My perceptions about religion
III. My value system and suitable behavior
 general effects: more open, more tolerant, greater awareness of cultural
differences
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5. Conclusions
 awareness of born-in culture; but more European
 scale of difference between cultures (high vs. low)
 culture (in theory) = complex set of small issues
 effects on our decisions  “pre-defined life”
 culture (in practice) = floating concept, on-going change
(e.g. language, traditions)
 adapt values of culture without being member of that culture
 inner desires of humans = similar; but wearing a mask of
culture
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6. Questions
a. How can we understand culture when we are part of it?
b. How much time does it take to change a whole culture
(not only one or a few elements of it)?
c. What is needed (mentally and physically) to change a
culture?
d. How can mental borders, caused by cultural differences,
be reduced?
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