Culture Shock Essay

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Culture Limiting the Effects of Culture Shock Introduction When implementing an international staffing policy, managers need to be aware of cultural impacts. This paper will discuss the effects of culture shock and describe the cultural training methods that can be used to reduce the effects of this phenomenon. Culture Shock When managers are transplanted into regions outside their native land as expatriates they are often exposed to new cultures and unfamiliar customs. Often, in trying to adjust to these new environments, expatriates may experience culture shock. Wild and Wild (2014) defines culture shock as “a psychological process affecting people living abroad that is characterized by homesickness, irritability, confusion, aggravation, and depression.” These afflictions may cause job performance to suffer and make for an early return home for that employee. Obviously, with the large investment companies are making in that employee with salary and relocation expenses it is in their best interest to reduce the risk of failure. An appropriate cultural training program (CCT) is one of the ways companies can accomplish this. “Pre-departure CCT aims to enhance the adjustment of expatriates by developing individuals’ awareness of differences in appropriate norms and behaviors between their home and their host country” (Puck et al. 2008). The degree of cultural literacy required of an employee will depend on their roles in other countries and the size and scope of the company. Some foreign managers may require language fluency or more in-depth knowledge of the local culture. Often the CCT program may need to be tailored to that particular employee. CCT Training A CCT program should be conducted from the ground up with the level of training dependent on the extent of that manager’s international involvement. As a basic requirement managers

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