essay about cultural sensitivity

• Skip to primary navigation
• Skip to main content
• Skip to primary sidebar
• Skip to footer

Global Cognition

What is cultural sensitivity and how does it develop.

by Winston Sieck updated September 21, 2021

As a manager or employee, when you travel to another country for your job, adapting to a new culture can be quite intimidating. The same can be said when you need to collaborate with diverse team members in your own country.

The global business environment is quickly blurring the lines between home and foreign work assignments, but the cultural gaps are often a struggle in either case. Cultural sensitivity helps ease the adjustment.

Cultural sensitivity means that you are aware and accepting of cultural differences. It implies that you withhold judgment of cross-cultural practices, and that you can deal effectively with these differences.

Cultural sensitivity is integral in any cross-cultural relationship. But it is critical in international working relations, such as in business or government jobs. For example, some studies show that workers at all levels are more effective and are more competent at negotiation when they are culturally sensitive.

At a more basic level, understanding the nuances of a culture that are reflected in body language, speech patterns, and customs allow the worker to better understand and communicate with coworkers, business partners, affiliates, and customers.

A handshake, for instance, is acceptable, even expected in western culture. However, in Thailand it is not. Instead, a wai is offered, a bow with the hands palm to palm at chest level and you should return it. You should offer a handshake only if the person does not offer a wai.

While the importance of cultural sensitivity in the workplace is widely recognized, there is not a great deal of research that examines the development and progression of cultural sensitivity.

Jon Shapiro, Julie Ozanne, and Bige Saatcioglu conducted a study that explores stages of development of cultural sensitivity, with an emphasis on their application to business people working overseas. The results apply as well to situations involving employees with diverse backgrounds working together within their home country. Shapiro and colleagues published their paper , “An Interpretive Examination of the Development of Cultural Sensitivity in International Business” in the Journal of International Business Studies .

Their investigation turned up four stages of cultural sensitivity development: the romantic sojourner, the foreign worker, the skilled worker, and the partner. The researchers describe these stages in terms of natural development based on experience. Well structured cross-cultural training could potentially lead to quicker progression along the developmental path.

The Romantic Sojourner: A stranger in a strange land

At this stage of cultural sensitivity, the business professional is a tourist. They are caught up in the romance and adventure of exploring a different culture. They are more a cultural spectator than an actual participant.

They may be excited for the opportunity to experience another culture. What they don’t realize is that they are often seeing that culture’s “tourist manners” and not really seeing into the depths of the culture all that much.

The romantic sojourner will take part in the local cultural events, such as festivals and parades, but that is typically the extent of their interaction with the members of the host culture. It is the primary interaction with little more. It may look and feel like immersion, but it is very superficial, especially when it comes to the professional working culture.

It is much like a love affair. At first, they are infatuated, riding the waves of a new romance with new experiences. But everyone has on their best manners and they don’t really know each other on a deep, personal level. It is all just skimming the surface and they are treating it more like an escape or vacation than a home situation where they are immersed in the culture.

In the romantic sojourner’s eyes, everything is glittering and magical. It is not realistic, and it sets them up for some serious disillusionment. They have an idealized view of the culture and are enamored with that, but have not yet become acquainted with the aspects of it that tend to be concealed from outsiders.

The Foreign Worker: The business side of things

The emotional, naïve romantic sojourner eventually gives way to the foreign worker. At this stage of cultural sensitivity, the individual has a more realistic view of the host culture norms. As the immersion develops into something deeper, beyond the shallow infatuation, they get their first real taste of the local cultural norms .

This stage develops when the individual stops being a starry-eyed tourist and engages in the everyday business of their work and living. They observe their environment, both on a professional and personal level, and place themselves in that culture. Then, they begin to see the deeper layers that they didn’t or couldn’t see as a tourist.

During this stage, the worker starts out as an observer, but, over time, grows and develops into an active participant. They begin to join in the more authentic cultural ceremonies and rituals, adapting to them as a way of life.

The individual’s business colleagues who are native to the local culture, begin inviting the foreign worker to participate and attend them. This is one of the benchmarks of the foreign worker’s advancement from the romantic sojourner stage.

The more the foreign worker is immersed in the local culture, the more realistic a view the develop of that culture. They develop knowledge of cultural practices that are more sophisticated.

They learn to take part in authentic local social behaviors although at this point it is more about mimicry than true immersion. They may role play or pretend at this stage, but even that is an integral step in the development of cultural sensitivity.

At this point the foreign worker is often hit with the reality that they are, indeed, an outsider. Culture shock and disenchantment may set in, but they also get a more realistic view and attitude. As they are immersed in the business culture, they naturally get deeper into the social culture as well.

The Skilled Worker: The knowledgeable foreigner

Foreign workers who are able to stick it out and make the initial cultural adjustment develop into skilled workers. When they reach this cultural sensitivity stage, they have attained a much deeper understanding of the host culture. They also have more cultivated interactions with their business associates.

The attitude has changed and instead of just trying to be diplomatic on the surface, they are genuinely concerned with preserving the relationships with members of the local culture.

While still feeling a bit like a fish out of water, the skilled worker becomes a cautious politician at this stage. They work hard to blend in with the social practices and customs that are consistent with the culture. Interacting with members of the local culture is becoming second nature on both the business and personal fronts.

They are very keen observers at this stage of cultural sensitivity. The skilled workers scan their environment and mimic behaviors that allow them to blend in. They reduce or control unacceptable behaviors that would cause them to stand out. They are much more skilled at acting and role playing.

It is also interesting to note that at this stage they tend to limit their business relationships to something that is personally manageable. This helps them foster more meaningful, successful relationships. They begin to depend on the local members who are business associates instead of turning to agents of their own culture.

As the skilled worker socializes with the members of the local culture, they develop relationships that are comfortable and intimate. As time goes on, they begin to have a more realistic understanding of the host culture. They begin to appreciate it.

Although at some level they realize that they are outsiders and always will be to some degree, they settle into their role within the culture and enjoy what they do glean from it.

The Partner: At home in a new culture

Not all workers achieve the partner stage of cultural sensitivity. It requires patience, perseverance, and work. It is at this stage that the worker is at their most sensitive to cultural distinctions. They have negotiated a business culture that is rooted in relational trust.

Partners share knowledge and intimately understand nuances of the culture, finding common ground where possible. However, they put away any desires to be an insider of the local culture.

At this stage of cultural sensitivity, the person is not forgetting or denying their own culture. They are not putting their own background aside. Rather many find a deeper appreciation for their own culture and come to have a greater understanding of it. They notice and welcome elements of their own culture that they once took for granted.

This new, settled attitude allows the partner to more fully appreciate business and personal relationships. The partner is deeply immersed in the local culture, but is balanced and content with their role.

The “cultural sensitivity” journey is long and challenging, but can be very rewarding. Early on, cultural misunderstandings are bound to happen. As an individual becomes more familiar with and immersed in another culture, those bumps become fewer and fewer.

Coming to grips with another culture is like developing any other relationship that builds trust, little by little. It settles in a comfortable peace that isn’t perfect but doesn’t have to be. The individual identifies, adapts, and embraces their own role in the local culture, fitting in as they can.

Image Credit: johnhain

Shapiro, J. M., Ozanne, J. L., & Saatcioglu, B. (2008). An interpretive examination of the development of cultural sensitivity in international business. Journal of International Business Studies , 39, 71-87.

Click below to check out Save Your Ammo , a guide to cultural competence in demanding situations.

Study Smarter

Build your study skills with thinker academy.

About Winston Sieck

Dr. Winston Sieck is a cognitive psychologist working to advance the development of thinking skills. He is founder and president of Global Cognition, and director of Thinker Academy .

• Save Your Ammo
• Publications

GC Blog Topics

• Culture & Communication
• Thinking & Deciding
• Learning Skills
• Learning Science

Online Courses

• Thinker Academy
• Study Skills Course
• For Parents
• For Teachers

• Bipolar Disorder
• Therapy Center
• When To See a Therapist
• Types of Therapy
• Best Online Therapy
• Best Couples Therapy
• Best Family Therapy
• Managing Stress
• Sleep and Dreaming
• Understanding Emotions
• Self-Improvement
• Healthy Relationships
• Student Resources
• Personality Types
• Guided Meditations
• Verywell Mind Insights
• 2023 Verywell Mind 25
• Mental Health in the Classroom
• Editorial Process
• Meet Our Review Board
• Crisis Support

Cultural Awareness—How to Be More Culturally Aware & Improve Your Relationships

Wendy Wisner is a health and parenting writer, lactation consultant (IBCLC), and mom to two awesome sons.

Ivy Kwong, LMFT, is a psychotherapist specializing in relationships, love and intimacy, trauma and codependency, and AAPI mental health.  

The Importance of Cultural Awareness

How to be more culturally aware, what if i say the wrong thing, cultural awareness and sensitivity in intercultural/interracial relationships, can i ask someone to help me learn about their culture, pitfalls of not developing cultural awareness.

Cultural awareness, sometimes referred to as  cultural sensitivity , is defined by the NCCC (National Center for Cultural Competence) as being cognizant, observant, and conscious of the similarities and differences among and between cultural groups.

Becoming more culturally aware is a continual process and it can help to have curiosity, an open mind, a willingness to ask questions, a desire to learn about the differences that exist between cultures, and an openness to becoming conscious of one’s own culturally shaped values, beliefs, perceptions, and biases.

The Value of Cultural Awareness

Cultural awareness is important because it allows us to see and respect other perspectives and to appreciate the inherent value of people who are different than we are. It leads to better relationships, healthier work environments, and a stronger, more compassionate society.

Read on to learn more about cultural awareness, including the impacts it can have, how to become more culturally aware, how to approach conversations about cultural awareness, and how to address cultural awareness in intercultural relationships.

Cultural awareness involves learning about cultures that are different from your own. But it’s also about being respectful about these differences, says  Natalie Page  Ed.D., chief diversity officer at Saint Xavier University in Chicago. “It’s about being sensitive to the similarities and differences that can exist between different cultures and using this sensitivity to effectively communicate without prejudice and racism,” she explains.

5 Reasons Why Cultural Awareness Is Important

Here are five reasons why it’s important to become more culturally aware:

• When you strive to become more culturally aware, you gain knowledge and information about different cultures, which leads to greater cultural competence, says Dr. Page
• Engaging in cultural awareness makes you more sensitive to the differences between cultures that are different than your own, Dr. Page says; you also become less judgmental of people who are different than you.
• Studies have found that greater cultural awareness in the workplace leads to an overall better workplace culture for everyone involved.
• Research has found that cultural awareness creates better outcomes for people in healthcare environments, and in other environments where people are receiving care from others.
• According to Nika White, PhD, author of Inclusion Uncomplicated: A Transformative Guide to Simplify DEI , cultural awareness can improve your interpersonal relationships. “Just like any other relationship, you must understand their culture to truly understand someone’s lived experiences and how they show up to the world,” Dr. White describes.

Knowing about the importance of being more culturally aware is one thing, but actually taking steps to do so is something else.

It’s about being sensitive to the similarities and differences that can exist between different cultures and using this sensitivity to effectively communicate without prejudice and racism.

Here are a few tips for how to go about becoming more culturally aware.

Understand That It’s a Process

“Becoming culturally aware is a process that is fluid, birthed out of a desire to learn more about other cultures,” says Dr. Page.

She says it can be helpful to study the model laid out by Dr. Ibram Kendi, the author of How To Be An Antiracist . Dr. Kendi says that there are basically three paths to growing cultural awareness:

• “The first is moving from the fear zone, where you are afraid and would rather stay in your own culture comfort zone,” Dr. Page describes.
• Next is moving into the learning zone, where you strive to learn about different cultures, how people acquire their cultures, and culture's important role in personal identities, practices, and mental and physical health of individuals and communities. The learning zone can also include becoming more aware of your own culturally shaped values, beliefs, and biases and how they impact the way you see yourself and others.
• “The last phase is the growth zone, where you grow in racial advocacy and allyship,” says Dr. Page.

Ask Questions

Dr. White says that asking questions is a vital part of becoming more culturally aware. You can start by asking yourself some important questions, such as: “How is my culture affecting how I interact with and perceive others?” Dr. White suggests.

You can also respectfully ask others about their lives. But make sure the exchanges aren’t one-sided, she recommends: when you ask others about their cultures, tell them about yours, too. “Tell your own stories to engage, build relationships, find common ground, and become more culturally aware of someone from a different culture,” she says.

Educate Yourself and Do the Work

There’s no way around it: if you want to become more culturally aware, you need to take action and educate yourself.

“Don’t lean on assumptions,” says Dr. White. “Actually research cultures different from yours.” This can help you become more aware of how culture affects every aspect of your life and the lives of others. In addition to research, educating yourself often involves seeking and participating in meaningful interactions with people of differing cultural backgrounds. “Expand your network to include people from different cultures into your circle,” Dr. White recommends.

Study the Cultural Competence Continuum Model

The Cultural Competence Continuum Model is an assessment tool that helps us understand where people are on their journey to becoming more culturally competent.

Different people fall into various categories along the continuum. Categories include cultural destructiveness, cultural incapacity, cultural blindness, cultural pre-competence, cultural competence, and cultural proficiency.

Studying this model can help us become more aware of the process of moving toward more cultural sensitivity, and become more patient with ourselves and others as we move through the process.

Acknowledge Your Own Bias

We all have our own biases when it comes to cultural awareness, because we all begin by looking at the world and at others through our own cultural lens.

It is important to acknowledge this as it can help us see how our cultural  biases  may prevent us from being as culturally sensitive as we wish to be.

Often, people don’t want to address topics having to do with culture or race because they are afraid they will say the wrong thing or make a mistake while talking to someone.

The truth is, most people make mistakes on their journey toward cultural awareness, and that’s understandable, says Dr. Page.

“If you make a mistake, simply apologize and let the person that you may have offended know that you are learning and be open to any suggestions they may have,” she recommends. Sometimes it even makes sense to apologize in advance, if you are saying something you are unsure of. You can say, “I may have this wrong, so I apologize beforehand but…” Dr. Page suggests. “The key is to be sincere in your conversations and always open to learning from others,” she says.

Making mistakes is a necessary part of the learning process and it is important to approach these topics and conversations with shared respect, compassion, and grace.

If you are in a relationship with someone who is of a different race or culture than you, it’s important to have open, honest discussions about this. “If a person is going to grow in interracial and intercultural relationships, you have to step out of your cultural comfort zone and seek an understanding about other cultures,” says Dr. Page.

Questions to Ask Someone to Learn About Their Culture

Having a genuine discussion with someone about your differences can feel awkward, and it can be helpful to kick-start the conversation with a few open-ended questions. Dr. White shared some helpful questions:

• Can you tell me about your culture?
• Tell me a little something about how you were raised?
• What role does religion play in your life?

Here are some additional questions that could be asked with respect and consent, to another (and also to yourself!):

• What holidays and celebrations are important in your culture?
• What customs and etiquette are important in your culture?
• What is your favorite food in your culture?
• Is religion an important part of life in your culture? If so, what religion do people practice most often and why do you think that is?
• How do you express your cultural identity?
• What stereotypes or misconceptions do people from your culture often face and what do you wish more people knew?
• Is there anything about your culture that you find challenging?
• How has your culture changed over time?
• How do you think your culture has influenced your personal values and beliefs?
• What is the importance of family in your culture?

One of the important ways to develop culture awareness is to educate yourself about other cultures. Learning directly from people of different cultures is a fantastic way to get authentic information. But it’s important to engage in conversations with others about their cultures in respectful , appropriate manners.

When you decide to ask others about their culture, be mindful that they may not want to answer, and know that that’s okay, says Dr. White. It’s also important to make the conversation a two-way street. Don’t just ask them about their culture—talk about your culture as well. “Share your culture first to model the behavior and let others know it is safe to talk about their culture,” Dr. White suggests.

Finally, make sure to take it upon yourself to do some of the work. “Once you learn of someone’s culture you wish to cultivate a relationship with, do your homework to learn as much as you can,” Dr. White says. Don't simply rely on others to educate you—this may be seen as insensitive, Dr. White says.

The main pitfalls of not developing cultural awareness is that we don’t expand our understanding of other cultures, we don’t deepen our relationship with people who are different than we are, and that we risk continuing to have a narrow view of the world around us. 

“We live in an ever-changing diverse world,” Dr. Page says. “We rob ourselves when we only hang out with people from our cultural groups. We have to branch out and experience the beauty that others bring.”

Angelis T. In search of cultural competence . Monitor on Psychology. 2015;46(3):64.

Shepherd SM, Willis-Esqueda C, Newton D, et al. The challenge of cultural competence in the workplace: perspectives of healthcare providers . BMC Health Services Research. 2019;19:135. doi:10.1186/s12913-019-3959-7

Kaihlanen AM., Hietapakka L, Heponiemi T. Increasing cultural awareness: qualitative study of nurses’ perceptions about cultural competence training . BMC Nursing. 2019;18(38). doi:10.1186/s12912-019-0363-x

Calkins H. How You Can Be More Culturally Competent . Good Practice. 2020:13-16.

Center for Substance Abuse Treatment. Improving Cultural Competence .

By Wendy Wisner Wendy Wisner is a health and parenting writer, lactation consultant (IBCLC), and mom to two awesome sons.

Home — Essay Samples — Life — Self Awareness — Cultural Self-Awareness: Diversity with Sensitivity

Cultural Self-awareness: Diversity with Sensitivity

• Categories: Cultural Identity Self Awareness

About this sample

Words: 561 |

Published: Sep 1, 2023

Words: 561 | Page: 1 | 3 min read

Cite this Essay

Let us write you an essay from scratch

• 450+ experts on 30 subjects ready to help
• Custom essay delivered in as few as 3 hours

Get high-quality help

Dr Jacklynne

Verified writer

• Expert in: Sociology Life

+ 120 experts online

By clicking “Check Writers’ Offers”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy . We’ll occasionally send you promo and account related email

No need to pay just yet!

Related Essays

1 pages / 384 words

1 pages / 536 words

1 pages / 572 words

2 pages / 1053 words

Remember! This is just a sample.

You can get your custom paper by one of our expert writers.

121 writers online

Still can’t find what you need?

Browse our vast selection of original essay samples, each expertly formatted and styled

Related Essays on Self Awareness

In our journey towards personal and professional growth, it is essential to understand and leverage our strengths while addressing our weaknesses. But what exactly do we mean by strengths and weaknesses? Our strengths are the [...]

Reflecting on my journey, I realize that my weakness is overthinking, a trait that has at times hindered my progress and clouded my decisions. Overthinking, characterized by incessant rumination and an unrelenting quest for [...]

Self-awareness is the conscious knowledge of one's own character, feelings, motives, and desires. It is an essential aspect of personal growth and development, as it empowers individuals to understand themselves on a deeper [...]

Self-awareness is a crucial aspect of human consciousness and behavior. It refers to the ability to recognize and understand one's own thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Private self-awareness, in particular, focuses on an [...]

Self-awareness is the capacity to differentiate ourselves from the individuals we associate with and the environment we inhabit. This self-recognition enables us to comprehend our decisions and preferences as unique [...]

I prefer to be true to myself, even at the endangerment of finding the ridicule of others, rather than to be false and finding my own detestation. Why should I worry about what others think of me? I don’t give a shit about how [...]

Related Topics

By clicking “Send”, you agree to our Terms of service and Privacy statement . We will occasionally send you account related emails.

Where do you want us to send this sample?

By clicking “Continue”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy.

Be careful. This essay is not unique

This essay was donated by a student and is likely to have been used and submitted before

Download this Sample

Free samples may contain mistakes and not unique parts

Sorry, we could not paraphrase this essay. Our professional writers can rewrite it and get you a unique paper.

Please check your inbox.

We can write you a custom essay that will follow your exact instructions and meet the deadlines. Let's fix your grades together!

Get Your Personalized Essay in 3 Hours or Less!

We use cookies to personalyze your web-site experience. By continuing we’ll assume you board with our cookie policy .

• Instructions Followed To The Letter
• Deadlines Met At Every Stage
• Unique And Plagiarism Free

Essay on Cultural Sensitivity In Nursing

Students are often asked to write an essay on Cultural Sensitivity In Nursing in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Cultural Sensitivity In Nursing

Introduction.

Cultural sensitivity in nursing means understanding and respecting the diverse backgrounds of patients. This includes their beliefs, values, and customs. It’s important because it helps nurses provide better care to their patients.

The Importance of Cultural Sensitivity

When nurses are culturally sensitive, they can communicate better with their patients. This leads to trust, which can improve patient health. Nurses can learn about different cultures through training and education.

Challenges in Cultural Sensitivity

Sometimes, cultural differences can make it hard for nurses to understand their patients’ needs. Language barriers and different beliefs about health can cause misunderstandings. Nurses need to be patient and open-minded to overcome these challenges.

Benefits of Cultural Sensitivity

Culturally sensitive care can lead to better health outcomes. Patients feel more comfortable and are more likely to follow treatment plans. It also promotes equality and respect in healthcare.

In conclusion, cultural sensitivity in nursing is crucial for providing effective patient care. It promotes understanding, respect, and better communication between nurses and patients.

250 Words Essay on Cultural Sensitivity In Nursing

Understanding cultural sensitivity.

Cultural sensitivity is all about respecting and understanding the differences in people’s cultures. In nursing, it means giving care that respects the patient’s cultural values, beliefs, and practices. It’s like treating others the way they want to be treated.

Why It Matters In Nursing

Nurses meet people from different cultures every day. They have to care for patients who speak different languages, follow different religions, and have different customs. If a nurse is not sensitive to these differences, the patient might feel uncomfortable or misunderstood. This can affect the quality of care they receive.

Examples of Cultural Sensitivity

A nurse can show cultural sensitivity in many ways. For example, if a patient follows a special diet because of their religion, the nurse can make sure they get the right food. Or, if a patient wears a head covering for cultural reasons, the nurse can respect their choice to do so.

When nurses are culturally sensitive, patients feel respected and understood. This can make them more comfortable and more likely to follow the nurse’s advice. It can also help build trust between the nurse and patient. This trust is very important for good patient care.

In conclusion, cultural sensitivity is very important in nursing. It helps nurses give better care and makes patients feel respected. It’s a key part of being a good nurse.

500 Words Essay on Cultural Sensitivity In Nursing

Understanding cultural sensitivity in nursing.

Cultural sensitivity is a key part of nursing. It means respecting and understanding the different cultures of patients. This is very important because it helps nurses to give the best care possible.

Why is Cultural Sensitivity Important in Nursing?

Cultural sensitivity is important in nursing for many reasons. Firstly, it helps nurses to understand their patients better. People from different cultures may have different beliefs about health and illness. By understanding these beliefs, a nurse can provide care that is respectful and effective.

Secondly, cultural sensitivity can help to build trust between a nurse and a patient. If a patient feels that their culture is understood and respected, they may be more likely to share important information about their health. This can lead to better patient outcomes.

How Can Nurses Show Cultural Sensitivity?

There are many ways that nurses can show cultural sensitivity. One way is by learning about different cultures. This can be done through reading, attending cultural events, or talking to people from different cultures.

Another way is by being respectful of cultural differences. This can mean things like using a patient’s preferred language, respecting their dietary restrictions, or understanding their religious practices.

Finally, nurses can show cultural sensitivity by being open-minded and non-judgmental. This means accepting that there are many different ways to view health and illness, and that no one way is necessarily better than another.

Challenges in Practicing Cultural Sensitivity

While practicing cultural sensitivity is important, it can also be challenging. One challenge is that it can be hard to learn about all the different cultures that a nurse might come across. There are so many different cultures in the world, and each one has its own beliefs and practices.

Another challenge is that it can be hard to balance cultural sensitivity with medical best practices. Sometimes, a patient’s cultural beliefs may conflict with what a nurse knows to be the best medical treatment. In these cases, it can be difficult to know what to do.

In conclusion, cultural sensitivity is a very important part of nursing. It helps nurses to understand their patients, build trust, and provide the best care possible. While it can be challenging, it is also very rewarding. By practicing cultural sensitivity, nurses can make a big difference in the lives of their patients.

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

If you’re looking for more, here are essays on other interesting topics:

• Essay on Cultural Relativism
• Essay on Climate Change Mitigation
• Essay on Climate Change In The Philippines

Apart from these, you can look at all the essays by clicking here .

Happy studying!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

We use cookies to enhance our website for you. Proceed if you agree to this policy or learn more about it.

• Essay Database >
• Essay Examples >
• Essays Topics >
• Essay on Business

Cultural Sensitivity In Global Business Essay

Type of paper: Essay

Topic: Business , Conflict , Culture , Marketing , Products , United States , China , America

Words: 1100

Published: 02/21/2020

ORDER PAPER LIKE THIS

Introduction

As globalization is taking over the world and companies are heavily outsourcing, understanding cultural differences is important for the business success. Most of American and European companies are out sourcing in Asia. This is due to the availability of cheap labor and a large market base with less competition. In the recent past, many companies are particularly targeting the people’s republic of China as their outsourcing destiny. It is therefore important to ask; what are the major cultural differences that such businesses are likely to face. Three of the major challenges are; communication styles, attitudes towards a conflict and the decision making styles. Communication is fundamental in business because it is the medium that enables business parties to understand each other and work harmoniously. Failure to have appropriate communication channels or understanding might result into poor business performance. Communication styles are very different in China as compared to America. This is mostly on the language usage. Chinese people are quiet and reserved in a business setting. On the other hand, Americans tend to be outspoken and eloquent. This communication style may challenge the American company when they want to get valuable information such as concerns, feedbacks and other important business information. The Chinese people do not reject a proposal openly, their language use is polite and usually use the words ‘maybe’ or ‘we shall see’ when they do not conquer with an issue. The difference in the attitudes towards a conflict is very different between the two countries. In the United States, conflicts are dealt with on a one to one basis. People deal with the conflicts together and meet to discuss the way forward on how to solve the problem at hand. In china and other eastern countries, solving conflicts openly is considered as embarrassing and demeaning. As a result therefore, conflicts are dealt with quietly. This cultural collusion will affect the business since in times of conflict, there is no room for confrontation no matter how true one is or the amount of true evidence they can provide. In china, direct confrontation is seen as shameful and is avoided at all costs. Decision making is a crucial aspect in a business success. A common approach where people arrive at the same conclusion is the most practiced in the United States. However, in China and most Eastern countries like Japan, a consensus is the most favored. In negotiation, the American culture views it as a battle of wits where one can lose without hard feelings. However, in china, negotiations are seen as a form of confrontation that undermines agreement. Launching a product or service in a foreign country require the company to use a standard marketing mix or its adaptation in order for the product to suit the country they are practicing their activities. It is therefore important to look at the 4Ps of marketing that is product, price, promotion and place with relation to the culture of the country. In this case we are addressing the people’s republic of China. Basic marketing concept shows that an organization sales more if its products meet the determining factors that consumers look at. These factors include consumer culture, religion, buying habit and level of income. In outsourcing in China, the organization should consider these factors. Comparing the kind of product in America and China, it is noticeable that the American products are of higher quality and are expensive. The American culture by far encourages people to buy quality products despite their high prices. China on the other hand produces low quality products due to their consumer buying habit which they prefer cheap products due to their low income. Promotion strategies have to take into account the language used, political climate, cultural attitude and religious practices. These factors have to be considered before creating an advertisement message. It is important to have adequate of the cultural interpretation of various things. For example the color red is a symbol of luck in china. The two countries strategic promotions compare in that they both use the media extensively. However, the extent of television coverage in the US is high than in china due to their economic situations. The poverty level is high in china than in the US. An element of marketing matrix is the place which involves the distribution of the product or the service to the consumer at the right time and place. The distribution chains in America are mostly effective and efficient compared to china. Despite the state barriers in the United States, there are better than in china. This is due to the better storage, distribution store and transportation systems that are effective and therefore making the united state firm’s profitable. In china however, distribution is complicated by legal regulations and the distribution channels are not defined. This makes it difficult in for the products to reach the consumer at the right time. The last P in the marketing mix is the price. Pricing of the product is influenced by various factors such as prices of competitors, production costs and the disposable income of the target market. In America, the prices are high compared to the Chinese market. This can be attributed to the high level of consumers, the quality of the products and the price of competitors as well as that of the close substitutes. China on the other hand has relatively low prices. The product quality is relatively low. For example when you compare the Apple mobile product and product from China, the Chinese quality is wanting. The cost of production is also low due to the availability of cheap labor. The consumer level of disposable income is low which makes the firms produce low price products. As you venture into business in China, you have to observe their cultural values. The Chinese business culture is very different from the American. In china, giving of gifts in order to influence a decision making is considered right. However, in the United States, this practice is not encouraged and is called bribe. Therefore, it is important to understand and respect such culture and distinguish gifts from bribery in a Chinese context. The second ethical issue is the emphasis on harmony. The Chinese believe that there should be harmony and they look at things in a long term perspective. They consider sudden and substantial change as disruptive. The emphasis on harmony is because first, the Chinese population is large and therefore conflict between close people is inevitable. The call for harmony reduces conflict and thus makes the Chinese community less chaotic. Secondly the dominant religions, Taoism and Buddhism emphasize on peace and nature. The two religions have a direct influence on the people’s behavior and thinking.

Cite this page

Share with friends using:

Removal Request

Finished papers: 1942

This paper is created by writer with

ID 287174879

If you want your paper to be:

Well-researched, fact-checked, and accurate

Original, fresh, based on current data

Eloquently written and immaculately formatted

275 words = 1 page double-spaced

Get your papers done by pros!

Other Pages

Bible research papers, mathematics research papers, interview research papers, perception research papers, organic food research papers, accounting research proposals, genome case studies, market analysis case studies, oligopoly case studies, security measures term papers, paradigm critical thinkings, paradigm article reviews, taxation article reviews, real world reports, calling reports, gene expression reports, drinking water reports, chemical energy reports, genetics essays, climate change essays, accounting essays, thailand essays, migration essays, photography essays, dishonesty essays, drug abuse essays, crew essays, animals essays, allusion essays, kinship essays, perception essays, influence essays, linguistics essays, why i want to join tesol essay, aqa business studies unit 1 essay, information systems term paper, psychodynamic approach to personality development essay, importance of chivalry concept essay, free admission essay on university of pittsburgh, job analysis essay, case study on statement of cash flow.

Password recovery email has been sent to [email protected]

Use your new password to log in

You are not register!

By clicking Register, you agree to our Terms of Service and that you have read our Privacy Policy .

Now you can download documents directly to your device!

Check your email! An email with your password has already been sent to you! Now you can download documents directly to your device.

or Use the QR code to Save this Paper to Your Phone

The sample is NOT original!

Short on a deadline?

Don't waste time. Get help with 11% off using code - GETWOWED

No, thanks! I'm fine with missing my deadline

Cultural Sensitivity: China and the USA Perspectives Essay

Introduction, reference list.

Expansion of companies from their regional and national zones is a phenomenon that is rapidly picking up in recent times. The growth of companies from local and regional to multinational levels, has led to companies venturing into new market zones where there is potential for growth and an increased profit margin. The most important factor for such companies is inventing of effective, innovative, and ambitious research and marketing strategies that will help them compete with local and international rivals in their new markets. One of the best approaches used by companies in the Eastern Asian markets and particularly in China is partnering or merging with the local companies. As they do so, they are faced with a number of cross-cultural issues due to their different cultures.

Some of the cross-cultural issues that might affect a company mainly come from the American perception of Chinese companies or the Chinese society as a whole. Though China is a strong and rapidly growing economy, it is still viewed as developing and not developed. Most companies enter the market with there own ideas and expectations of companies in such economies and that can lead to barriers and difficulties in communication and integration of management and other fields of partnering. (Selmer, 2003, p. 19) notes that there is a belief that most companies who have little or no experience of China, bring in management styles that are very rigid and authoritarian, with arrogant officials who believe that there way of running business is automatically the best. They do consider whether their method is fit for the targeted Chinese market, they have no room for discussion with their Chinese counterparts and so there is no room for them to understand the Chinese market.

The other issue is the extent and amount of government regulation and control in China especially in wholesale and retail pricing. The Chinese economy is based on central planning and it is hard for businesses to control, change or make decisions on product marketing and pricing. It is clearly visible that the only place where the companies have the autonomy of planning and deciding is in product quality and output productivity (Selmer, 2003, p. 19).It is important to note that most companies in China are government run or have significant government influence within their structure, to easy for monitoring and economic manipulation.

The economic structure in China brings in another issue of corruption. The bureaucracy is more embedded in personal connections and corruption deals and most companies have to either get accustomed to that or leave altogether (Selmer, 2003, p. 20).. This is more prevalent due to the lack of freedom and liberalization of market forces, in business and organizations as it the case in the American free market economy. It is easier to pay a bribe rather than wait for a marketing license; these issues are culturally conditioned (Pitta, Fung & Isberg, 1999, p.241).

Another challenge mainly affecting cross-cultural communication is the management of staff with far too many of them lacking satisfactory skills and education, efficiency, motivation and they lack consciousness of quality. The staff might find it had to understand and get accustomed to modern computerized skills in finance, accounting among others. These workers could be appointed to positions or assigned tasks for which they have no qualification or experience (Selmer, 2003, p. 20).

Considering that joint ventures demand that partners in the company share roles and responsibilities with both having equal control and authority and all other matters related to running the joint venture companies, it is difficult to reward, penalize, or fire existing staff that were there before the venture or even effectively recruit and train new staff. The fear of failure and challenge from the new companies moving to China by most Chinese management makes them resist change in decision making and responsibilities thus leading in conservative and rigid ways.

Dealing with conflict resolution, group inconsistency and management in teams has its own effect on cross-cultural communication, team performance and the achievement of company goals and objectives. Unless the company strives to make sure that its workers at individual and group level learn the heterogeneity of cultures there might lead low levels of interaction, a weaker sense of belonging hence reducing the value for cooperation (Selmer, 2003, p. 36).Harmony and togetherness in China is a strong virtue as opposed to competition and ambition in the American culture where as long as it is legal, any attempt or contribution to a desirable end result is crucial and important whether it disrupts the patterns of existence or relations ( Pitta et al,1999, p.247).

The Chinese largely have a homogeneous culture and so individualism, privacy and uniqueness are less important (Pitta et al,1999, p.255).The societal structure and their ways of life have led to dependency and relationship with other human beings especially family, friends and community is most important. Societal laws and rules are highly esteemed and saving of ones face in society is very crucial. These issues are important to note if one is to succeed in penetrating and sustaining the market.

In the Chinese culture there is a lot of emphasis on courtesy and embarrassing or shaming other people is taken very seriously. Criticizing other people and ridiculing the deeds of others can even lead to revenge. This might be the reason why they do not open up, reveal how they feel easily. It takes keenness and insight when listening to them to understand what they are really driving to. There is importance of keen observation of facial, body and tone movements when paying attention to them. For example unlike in America where debate and confrontation are not taken seriously, Chinese people do not use explicit indications to express themselves and questioning directly is considered rude.

Chinese do not consider openness or being straight forward as an important aspect of business ventures especially when relationships are subtle. Affirming to an idea or comment might not mean agreement in Chinese culture, it might only be implying that the person was attentive when you were talking to them or that they understood what you were saying and they will go and think about it. Directly answers which depict negativity like ‘no’ can be substituted with fairer versions of first seeking permission or that something will take time, it might not be convenient or “we will see what we can do” (Pitta et al, 1999, p. 248).

Chinese strongly hold on to their social norms and values, people do not talk a lot and so they prefer objectivity rather than subjectivity in discussions. Banquets are used in Chinese negotiations to establish bonding and commonality on both sides when making deals.This is used as a platform for friendship and knowing the other partner informally before the formal introduction. This ensures that no party feels defeated, controlled or manipulated and a win-win situation is achieved. In the US however negotiations are open discussions about advantages and disadvantages. They deal with the rules, guidelines and alternatives. Mostly these negotiations are one sided with competitive aspects.

It is only until recently that the Chinese economy has given in to luxury spending extravagance, but the culture is generally one that values inner personal beauty and substance more than trends, style, admiration, desire and outward looks. When the focus of advertising is showing the satisfaction and building on fantasy and imagination and exaggeration as in the US market, it is less likely to achieve market attraction. Advertisements should instead focus on informing and educating on the product and focusing on the conservative values of society ( Pitta et al, 1999, p. 249).

Realizing and trying to understand the differences in culture between the Chinese and American societies could help to avoid conflicts problems and reduce the risk of failure. Experts can be employed to help understand favorable business practices and the market and social cultures of both sides so that there is harmony in the partnerships. There are intercultural and intra-cultural aspects in communication coordination and information sharing that need to be taken into account to achieve compatibility in teams groups and between. Another factor that can be used is to accommodate the values of the other party and they use information and education to introduce the other views of the other side.

Pitta, D.A., Fung, H., & Isberg, S. (1999 ) Ethical issues across cultures: Managing the differing perspectives of China and the USA. Journal of Consumer Marketing, 16(3), pp. 240-256.

Selmer, J. (2003 ). International management in China: cross-cultural issues. London: Taylor & Francis.

• Chicago (A-D)
• Chicago (N-B)

IvyPanda. (2020, June 13). Cultural Sensitivity: China and the USA Perspectives. https://ivypanda.com/essays/cultural-sensitivity-china-and-the-usa-perspectives/

"Cultural Sensitivity: China and the USA Perspectives." IvyPanda , 13 June 2020, ivypanda.com/essays/cultural-sensitivity-china-and-the-usa-perspectives/.

IvyPanda . (2020) 'Cultural Sensitivity: China and the USA Perspectives'. 13 June.

IvyPanda . 2020. "Cultural Sensitivity: China and the USA Perspectives." June 13, 2020. https://ivypanda.com/essays/cultural-sensitivity-china-and-the-usa-perspectives/.

1. IvyPanda . "Cultural Sensitivity: China and the USA Perspectives." June 13, 2020. https://ivypanda.com/essays/cultural-sensitivity-china-and-the-usa-perspectives/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "Cultural Sensitivity: China and the USA Perspectives." June 13, 2020. https://ivypanda.com/essays/cultural-sensitivity-china-and-the-usa-perspectives/.

• Cultural Sensitivity Problem in the China’s Marketing
• Relationship Between Illness and Digust Sensitivity
• The Importance of Cultural Sensitivity in Negotiations
• Sensitivity Analysis as a Tool for Capital Budgeting
• Cultural Sensitivity in the Globalized Workplace
• Cross-Cultural Psychology Study
• Cross-Cultural Experience Awareness Development
• Cultural Differences and Intercultural Sensitivity
• Cultural Sensitivity's Role in Dispute Resolution
• Cultural Awareness and Sensitivity
• International Trade: Haiti' Advantages and Disadvantages
• The Heckscher-Ohlin Model: Trade, Growth and Convergence
• Import Substitution and Export Promotion' Comparison
• Balance of Trade: Global Markets and Competition
• Dubai as an International Trading Center