Cultural Analysis - Assignment Example

The first part shall give a theoretical background on the importance of culture in the formation of social identity, as well as the proper ways through which cultural analysis must be done. Through this part, the need for an objective assessment of culture will be reinforced through the help of Geert Hofstede’s Five Cultural Dimensions and the GLOBE Cultural Analysis Model. The second part, on the other hand, will zero in on the results of the three interviews conducted as regards the specific culture and traditions of Spain, Canada, and the Philippines.

By using first-hand or primary information as obtained from the one-on-one interviews, credibility of data will be strengthened. The last part will be dedicated to an enriching and highly insightful conclusion that will put an end to this study. Importance of Culture: A Brief Overview By definition, culture refers to the set of beliefs, habits, and art forms that crucially characterize a specific group of people in a specific area. Because of this seemingly vast description, cultural representations may include art, literature, religion, lifestyles, and many more.

With this, it can be said that the significance of culture is hinged on its capacity to give a unique identity to people. It gives a community certain character and personality that is original and unique. Thus, it is through the learning and passing of these traditions that cultural values are fostered, which in effect, form the founding principles that help govern people’s way of life. Since cultures have their own share of characteristics, objective measures must be used in order to properly understand and appreciate their natures.

Two of the most commonly used analytical frameworks are Hofstede’s Cultural Dimensions and the GLOBE cultural analysis model. 1. Geert Hoftstede’s Cultural Dimensions Hoftstede’s model examines cultural differences by highlighting five key dimensions: Power Distance, Uncertainty Avoidance, Masculinity vs Femininity, Individualism vs Collectivism, and Long vs Short Term Orientation. 1 Power distance refers to the degree of inequality that exists in a society and how such is accepted by the less powerful groups.

Uncertainty avoidance involves a society’s level of tolerance for ambiguity, unstructured situations, and unplanned events. Masculinity vs femininity pertains to the expected gender roles in a society. Individualism vs collectivism refers to the extent of ties that people have with each other. Long vs short term orientation talks about the degree to which a society upholds traditional values. 2. GLOBE Cultural Analysis Model From a functional perspective, the GLOBE model is used as a long-term research effort to explore the effects of culture on leadership, organizational effectiveness, economic competitiveness of societies, and the human condition of the people being examined.

Through the GLOBE model, researchers were able to clearly grasp the relevance of cross-cultural interactions by studying different industries, organizations, and social groups. 2 Analyzing Three Cultures: Spain, Canada, and the Philippines After assimilating the vitality of culture in relation to social identity construction, as well as the various lenses that could be utilized when studying cultures individually, it is now time to focus on the results of the three interviews and expose the characteristics of each country.

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