The Decision-Making Process and Management of People - Research Paper Example

The research hypothesis was that managers need to be trained before being sent overseas in a different cross-cultural environment. The motivation for the study also arose from Hofstede’s contention that the survival of mankind is dependent upon the ability to think differently to act together. Literature on the subject was available in abundance and all nine dimensions were reviewed. The findings suggest that the two nations differ in almost all of the nine dimensions and hence for effective functioning, the managers should be trained, preferably hands-on experience provided, before being sent overseas.

With globalization and organizations operating in different markets, an understanding of the cultural differences would help cope with the dynamics of the international business environment. A diverse workforce requires new leadership. Differences exist and this is common knowledge. However, what matters is to be in a position to cope with these differences. Managers face highly complex, constantly changing and difficult to interpret situations (House et al, n.d.). They face rapidly changing international competition.

Effective organizational management is critical to the success of international operations. Workforce diversity is an outcome of intense globalization. The way these differences are perceived, interpreted and managed by managers of different national cultures, is important (Fink, Köling & Neyer, 2005). The perception of differences strongly impacts the actual behaviour. Change in today’s world has become constant and the key to effective leadership lies in making the right choices (Russette, Scully & Preziosi, 2008).

Globalization has caused a major rupture in the way life is experienced. Moreover, globalization is the single major force that has been shaping the cultures of industrialized nations (Husted, 2003). It has thus become critical to understand and embody the leadership qualities necessary to succeed in this volatile and global economy. Moreover, Hofstede (1984) emphasizes that the survival of mankind will depend to a large extent on the ability of people who think differently to act together (Finucane & Holup, 2005). There is enough evidence that supports that leaders differ across cultures in how they interpret and implement rules and laws. They even differ in the use of objectivity versus intuition, the willingness to compromise, the levels of dependence and independence.