Topic: Cultural Dimensions and Comparisons

In learning about different countries or cultures, it can be useful to get a sense of the belief systems that are key to a worldview. The unit reading introduces a variety of cultures as it can be a challenge to understand the roots of these different perspectives and interactions.

Research on countries and cultures can be helpful in navigating cross-cultural influences and working as a part of a global culture.

Professor Geert Hofstede conducted one of the most comprehensive studies of how values in the workplace are influenced by culture. "This does not imply that everyone in a given society is programmed in the same way; there are considerable differences between individuals. It may well be that the differences among individuals in one country culture are bigger than the differences among all country cultures. We can, nevertheless, still use such country scores based on the law of the big numbers, and in fact, most of us are strongly influenced by social control" ("Country Comparison," 2018). Using Hofstede's research as a guide, you will look into a country where you live or have lived, and compare the values in the survey with another country that interests you.

Search online for a Hofstede country comparison site. There are several options for comparing the cultural dimensions of two different countries. You can ask your instructor if you need assistance.

Assume there will be a business transaction between yourself and someone from the other country you have selected. You will introduce one similarity and explain how this may be a benefit in this interaction. Then you will introduce one difference and analyze how it could lead to problems in understanding. What is the best way for people with this seeming incompatibility to overcome the differences and work toward a common goal?

COUNTRY CHOSEN: DENMARK

REFERENCE: https://www.hofstede-insights.com/product/compare-countries/