Chapter 3 Additional Resources

This is a free and abridged version of the resources for this chapter.

Values What do we mean by cultural valuesand why are they important?

Values are the principlesand ideals shared withincultures. They underlie ourbeliefs as to what is right,wrong, acceptable orunacceptable.  

Understanding that valuesare driving both ourbehaviours and thebehaviours of others isessential to culturalawareness.  

Since they areunseen, they aremore likely to trip usup or to causechallenges withincross-culturalsituations. 

They are the unseenfactors that drive ourvisible behaviours.These behavioursmight be within theworkplace, home orsocial settings.

Why not explore your own values?The scales below show some of the values people from different cultures have

towards certain aspects of work.

Use the descriptions on each side of the scale to help decide your preference. 

Where do you sit on the scale?  Are you at an extreme end - i.e. is this value veryimportant to you, or are you sat somewhere in the middle?

Strict Rules  Flexible Rules  

-You see rules asimportant andapplicable to allsituations-You try to followrules, and feeluncomfortablewhen they arebroken

-You use thesituation to judgewhen a rule counts-You are willing tobend or ignorerules for certainpeople -

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Change  Tradition  

-You like to thinkabout newpossibilities- You are morefocused on thefuture than on thepast 

-You like to thinkabout how thingshave been donebefore -Tradition andestablishedstandards areimportant to you  -

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Openness Privacy 

-You don't keep aclear divisionbetween your workand your personallife -You like to sharepersonal detailswith others 

-You like to keepyour personal lifeseparate from yourwork life -You prefer not toreveal so muchabout yourself toyour colleagues   -

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Structured Time Flexible Time

-You like agendas,tasks, lists andanything else thathelps you organiseyour time-You see structureas helpful andclarifying 

-You see time asfluid and notsomething to bedivided up andconstantlyorganised - You don't like toomuch structureand order    -

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Equal Rights Different Rights

-You thinkeveryone shouldhave equal rightsand opportunities-You try to treatpeople equally,regardless of age,position andexperience -You prefer aworkplace in whichpeople are quiteequal in position 

-You recognisethat everyone isnot equal, that isthe way of theworld-You treat peopledifferently basedon age, positionand experience-You prefer aworkplace wherethere's a cleardivision betweenthe boss andothers  -

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Individual Focus

-You see yourselfas primarily anindividual who ispart of a workforce-Your focus in theworkplace is ongetting tasks done

-You see yourselfprimarily as a teammember in theworkforce-Your focus in theworkplace is onbuilding strongrelationships  -

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Group Focus

Full Responsibility 

-You areresponsible foryour own successand failure-You believe thingshappen becauseyou make themhappen 

-You believe manyfactors contributeto your ownsuccess andfailure-You believe thingshappen because ofparticularcircumstances,greater forces orpowers andsometimes pureluck  -

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Limited Responsibility 

So how do your values influenceyou in the workplace?

Look at the values you have expressed as particularly important to you. 

Why do you think they might be important?  

Are they important in your broader national culture or within your corporateculture? 

Alternatively,  do you hold these values in high esteem despite any broader culturalinfluences?

When it comes to the values you consider important, what impact do you feel they mighthave on the way you behave in the workplace or when working with other cultures? 

What impact might they have on your colleagues?

How might these values influence the expectations you have of others? 

When people placing a different emphasis on these values work together, what kind ofchallenges or tensions might occur if the difference isn't recognised? 

How might differences be resolved? 

Learn More about Specific Countries andtheir Cultures

If you would like to learn more aboutthe values of a particular country,then why not start with our freecountry guides?

They are packed full of informationabout the local culture including tipson etiquette and doing business.

Click here to have a look

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