Cross Cultural Challenges

921 Words4 Pages
Cultural descriptions and challenges. Specifically this relates to the USA and China with an analysis and solution demonstrating intercultural competencies concerning the challenges of international managers operating in these countries. Culture can be described as the values, beliefs, attitudes and behaviours individuals attain within their characteristics. It is a difficult aspect of organisations and especially International human resources because when using an expatriate or an international manager to operate within these countries, culture can play a significant part in the smooth transition of placement or the potential failure. However, many countries have competencies more than others and with this challenges arise for the international manager. These must be explored and potential solutions need to be provided to decrease the chances of failure or to increase operations more efficiently. To understand culture as a whole is difficult, due to the fact that there are so many layers of culture and the meanings. Simply, there are three layers of culture that work from the outer layer to the centre; surface, hidden and invisible culture. Surface culture refers to objects or things that are observable such as communication, dress, food, body language and gift giving for example. Hidden culture refers to the actual value, beliefs and attitudes, individual perspectives on what is right or wrong. Finally invisible culture refers to the cultures universal truth. To understand thoroughly, education and training can be conducted to not only perceive one’s own culture but other cultures across borders. This develops openness and assists in achieving a intercultural competence. USA is highly regarded as a country that is very well competent within their economy; they have vast businesses worldwide and also trade internationally at an increasing rate.
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