Dr Deborah Swallow - Global Cultural Diversity
The recently proposed “Dymovsky’s Law”, part of Russian President Dimitry Medvedev’s agenda to halt Russia’s endemic corruption problem, is apparently DESIGNED not to be effective, according to Ed Hancox in The Mantle. Rather than punish corrupt cops, the new law would allow sanctions to be taken against those police officers who make detrimental statements, in [...]
In December Ethical Traveler released the 2010 version of its annual ”The Developing World’s Best Ethical Destinations” report. The report identifies countries that are “serious about preserving their natural assets, promoting mindful travel, and building an economy in which local communities reap the benefits of tourist revenue.” The 10 destinations selected for Ethical Traveler’s list also set positive examples in environmental [...]
Conflict Across Cultures Series: Have you had enough time to think about the Oranges puzzle from a couple of weeks ago? Here is the background to remind you… If one party wants to grow orange trees and the other party has a child to nourish, (and there are 2 oranges), what is the solution? Take a [...]
Intercultural trainers and academics are nervous of each other. Academia either produces more and more complicated models or more and more vocal criticisms of the theoretical approaches of the trainers. Trainers, on the other hand, are accused of mis-applying models and theories or ignoring latest developments, and are branded culturist and reductionist. The best trainers, and [...]
Conflict Across Cultures: When you next think you are in conflict with someone with a different background, how do you feel? Do you feel “first world” guilt? Do you ignore the differences and judge the other party by your own standards and codes? It is not easy, but applying culture theory can help… When in [...]
Intellectually, the first world would say, we have a global economy, shared responsibility for climate change and that every country has a sporting chance to compete in the World Cup. I want to pose a simple question; can humans think globally? During the World Cup… we have all been passed by cars sporting one or two [...]
When working internationally, there are certain principles that are good to remember: Acknowledge differences exist Understand and analyse why those differences exist Appreciate the unique values, beliefs, attitudes, and behaviours of different cultures Adapt your behaviour — including your cross-cultural communication style — to meet the needs of others. Be sensitive to feedback and adapt accordingly. When things just [...]
We will never fully transcend our cultural influences to have an objective view. Everybody is trapped by their history, community, education, language, family upbringing and body. Our five (or 8 senses) take in everything around us. If this information were to be made readily available to us, we would be paralysed and blinded; swamped by data overload… [...]
Living and working in the Arab World will be completely different from anything else you have so far experienced. The place will be full of wonder and new things to encounter; exciting times – that’s the upside. However, most Western managers find working practices very frustrating and the lifestyle limiting; challenging times – that’s the [...]
“We should never denigrate any other culture but rather help people to understand the relationship between their own culture and the dominant culture. When you understand another culture or language, it does not mean that you have to lose your own culture.” Edward T Hall (Anthropologist)