contrast north vs south america

8/3/2019 Contrast North vs South America

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Cross-cultural communication

Communication between people of different cultural backgroundsinvolves much more than overcoming the language barrier. Hiddencultural differences often cause a great deal of misunderstandingand friction. These differences are a serious problem because theyare mostly invisible and inaudible but they affect the true meaning

of the messages sent and received by business counterparts, Southand North.

When the message is sent through a cultural filter, a breakdown ofcommunication is likely because the decoding is influenced by a setof values, attitudes, beliefs, preconceptions, and expectations thatare different from those of the sender. Therefore, the message

often becomes distorted in the mind of the recipient.


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1. Individualism Vs. Collectivism

Individualism (IDV) on the one side versus its opposite, collectivism, thatis the degree to which individuals are integrated into groups.

On the individualist side we find societies in which the ties/bonds betweenindividuals are loose: everyone is expected to look after him/herself andhis/her immediate family. Individualism indicates a society with a moreindividualistic attitude.The populace is more self-reliant and looks out for

themselves and their close family members.These cultures value uniqueness & personal initiative. If you want a jobdone right, do it yourself, and You have to blow your own horn revealthis emphasis on autonomy. Therefore, self-reliance and accountability arevalued in business settings.

This concept is analogous to individual atoms interacting with each other.


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1. Individualism Vs. Collectivism

On the collectivist side, we find societies in which people from birthonwards are integrated into strong, cohesive in-groups, oftenextended families (with uncles, aunts and grandparents) whichcontinue protecting them in exchange for unquestioning loyalty.The word 'collectivism' in this sense has no political meaning: it

refers to the group, not to the state. The use of networks and connections, the exchange of information

and favors, the obligation toward and reliance on the extendedfamily all reflect the molecular structure of Latin Americansocieties. This sociological reality requires that one be moreindirect, diplomatic, flowery,non-confrontational, and cautious in

communicating with others because there is a positive or negativemultiplier effect in every social or business transaction

Thus all societies in the world can be differentiated on the basis ofthis dimension


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2. Power distance index

Power Distance Index (PDI)- that is the extent to which the lesspowerful members of organizations and institutions (like the family)accept and expect that power is distributed unequally. Thisrepresents inequality (more versus less), but defined from below,not from above. It suggests that a society's level of inequality is

endorsed by the followers as much as by the leaders. Power andinequality, of course, are extremely fundamental facts of anysociety and anybody with some international experience will beaware that 'all societies are unequal, but some are more unequalthan others'.

If a country has a low PDI, this is indicative of a greater equality

between societal levels, including government, organizations, andeven within families. This orientation reinforces a cooperativeinteraction across power levels and creates a more stable culturalenvironment.


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4. Space-Territoriality People communicate not only through words but also through the ways in which they use

and organize space. Some people need more space in all areas. People who encroach into

that space are seen as a threat.

How people lay claim to and defend their personal space varies across cultures.

Personal spaceis an example of a mobile form of territory and people need less or greater

distances between them and others. A Japanese person who needs less space thus will stand

closer to an American, inadvertently making the American uncomfortable who respects more

interpersonal distance.

High territoriality

Some people are more territorial than others with greater concern for ownership & do not

like somebody invading their personal space. They seek to mark out the areas which are

theirs and perhaps having boundary conflicts with neighbors.

The members of such cultures feel an aversion to casual touch and resent spatial intrusion

Territoriality also extends to anything that is 'mine' and ownership concerns extend to

material things. Security thus becomes a subject of great concern for people with a high

need for ownership.

Low territoriality

People with lower territoriality have less ownership of space and boundaries are less

important to them. They will share territory and ownership with little thought.

They also have less concern for material ownership.

Thus some are non-contact cultures, (Eg. US &Northern European countries)whereas some
http://changingminds.org/techniques/body/social_distance.htmhttp://changingminds.org/techniques/body/social_distance.htm


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5. High Context vs. Low ContextHigh context

In a high-context culture, there are many contextual elements that help people to understand

the rules. As a result, much is taken for granted.

High context refers to societies or groups where people have close connections over a long

period of time. Many aspects of cultural behavior are not made explicit because most

members know what to do and what to think from years of interaction with each other.

This can be very confusing/ambiguous for person who does not understand the 'unwritten

rules' of the culture as these cultures rely heavily on non-verbal cues in communication &

little emphasis on the verbal, explicit part of the message. less written/formal information .

Strong diistinction between ingroup and outgroup, Strong sense of family.

Eg:French contracts tend to be short (in physical length, not time duration) as much of the

information is available within the high-context French culture. With a stable population, a

higher context culture may develop.

Low context/Content focussed

In a low-context culture, very little is taken for granted. Whilst this means that more

explanation is needed, it also means there is less chance of misunderstanding since words are

used to convey meaning in communication.

More knowledge is codified, public, external, and accessible.

Eg:In U.S. business settings there is a strong emphasis on the content of

communications: the data, facts and specific details.American culture is low-context and so

contracts tend to be longer in order to explain the detail. Since America has a highly mobile

environments where people come and go,thus the need for lower-context culture. With astable population, however, a higher context culture may develop.


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6. Uncertainity avoidance index

Uncertainty Avoidance Index (UAI) deals with a society's tolerancefor uncertainty and ambiguity. It indicates to what extent a cultureprograms its members to feel either uncomfortable or comfortablein unstructured situations.

Uncertainty avoiding cultures try to minimize the possibility of such

situations by strict laws and rules, safety and security measures.People in uncertainty avoiding countries are also more emotional.

The opposite type, uncertainty accepting cultures, are moretolerant of opinions different from what they are used to; they tryto have as few rules as possible, and on the philosophical andreligious level they are relativist and allow many currents to flow

side by side. People within these cultures are not expected by theirenvironment to express emotions.


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7. Masculinity Vs. Femininity

Masculinity (MAS) versus its opposite, femininity,refers to the distribution of roles between thegenders which is another fundamental issue forany society. Eg:U.S. business people seem

impersonal/competitive due to putting tasksabove and before relationships

Peoples values from one country to anothercontain a dimension from very assertive and

competitive(mens values/masculine) to modestand caring and similar to women's values on theother.(feminine).


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Long term Vs Short term orientation

Long-Term Orientation (LTO) versus short-

term orientation: Values associated with Long

Term Orientation are thrift and perseverance;

values associated with Short Term Orientationare respect for tradition, fulfilling social

obligations, protecting one's 'face, tends to

reflect an appreciation for cultural traditions.


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contrast north vs south america

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