Cultural Differences and Conflicts in the Workplace

Cultural issues have become more significant in the business world due to the increasing wave of globalization. The operations of organizations that have international operations are affected by many factors, among them being the cultural differences in the different countries of operation.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Cultural Differences and Conflicts in the Workplace specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Culture is said to be dynamic and evolving continually.1 The increased development and integration of global and regional economies have a significant influence on the evolution of culture. Moreover, different nations have different cultures. For instance, the culture of the United States of America is different from that of other European and South American nations. People in the United States, Germany, and the UK believe in individuality more than teamwork. On the contrary, workers in India and Mexico believe in operating in teams than individuals.2 In the US, Germany, and the UK, people work to protect their own interests, as opposed to safeguarding the interests of their employers. Workers have more personal freedom and autonomy in the US, Germany and the UK, unlike in other nations. Therefore, innovation is high in the three countries. Workers are highly responsive to hierarchy in India and Mexico, as opposed to the US, Germany and the UK. Performance measurement in the US, Germany, and the UK is individualistic, as opposed to Mexico and India, where performance is measured based on groups.3 The approach to workers should be cross-vergence in the UK and Germany. This is where the leader balances between globalization and localization. In Mexico and India, the approach should be divergent because these nations are relatively more conservative. In the United States, the approach should be convergence because the US is a more globalized nation comprised of many cultures. According to the case, most of the problems that Jim is facing are as a result of the different culture in Mexico compared to the culture of the United States. Jim being an American is used to the American culture, thus he is finding it difficult to understand the Mexican employees. First, bureaucracies are not many in the United States, while there are complex bureaucracies in Mexico.4 The power distance in the United States is less compared to the power distance in Mexico.5 Consequently, employees in Mexico are not comfortable discussing issues in the presence of Jim.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Jim, on the other hand, is not following the right procedures in conducting the employee meetings. In Mexico, the manager is expected to tell the employees what needs to be done. In the United States, on the other hand, the employees discuss what needs to be done. The other cultural dimension is based on the individualistic and collectiveness index.6 In the US, workers are more individualistic compared to Mexico, where workers believe more in collectiveness. This could be the reason for Jim’s problem with Carlos. Jim did not consult Carlos before and during the meetings. Carlos, probably, thought Jim was acting selfishly, leading to the cold blood between the two. Jim seemed to be less effective in leading the sales team in Mexico, in contrast to the fact that he was highly effective in the same role in the United States. He was viewed as a good problem solver and an effective manager in the US. However, he was less effective in leading the team in Mexico because he did not understand the culture of Mexico.7 The different cultures in the two countries had a major influence on the performance of the manager. A manager needs to understand the culture of a nation to be in a good position to lead the employees. Unless Jim understands the cultural differences between M exico and the US, he will find it difficult to have any positive influence on the sales team. The problem with Carlos is, probably, due to the fact that he is not following the right procedures, as per the Mexican culture, in executing his duties. The fact that Jim also seems not to understand how things are done in the organization could also be another reason for the deteriorating relationship with Carlos. Jim also gave suggestions at a meeting on how to address some issues. Some of the suggestions he gave were not even in his own team. Carlos was probably not happy about this character in Jim.  The reason for Jim’s problems in the coaching meeting is that he posed a question to the employees, instead of telling them what they were supposed to do. He was expected to give directions on what needed to be done, rather than asking them to discuss the problem. Jim needs to adapt to the culture of Mexico in order to do away with his difficulties at work. He needs to take time t o learn the culture so that he can understand the work relations. Understanding the differences and dynamics in the culture of Mexico and the employees will make Jim highly effective in solving any future conflicts, as well as addressing the current problems.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Cultural Differences and Conflicts in the Workplace specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Bibliography Luger, E., Hofsteede’s cultural dimensions, München, GRIN Verlag GmbH, 2009. Minkov, M., Cultural differences in a globalizing world, Bingley, Emerald Group Publishing, 2011. Vance, C.M. Paik, Y., Managing a global workforce, 2nd edn, New York, M.E. Sharpe, 2011. Footnotes 1 M. Minkov, Cultural differences in a globalizing world, Bingley, Emerald Group Publishing, 2011, p. 96. 2 CM Vance Y Paik, Managing a global workforce, 2nd edn, New York, M.E. Sharpe, 2011, p. 64. 3 Ibid. 4 CM Vance Y Paik, Managing a global wor kforce, 2nd edn, New York, M.E. Sharpe, 2011, p. 64.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More 5 E. Luger, Hofsteede’s cultural dimensions, München, GRIN Verlag GmbH, 2009, p. 15. 6 M. Minkov, Cultural differences in a globalizing world, Bingley, Emerald Group Publishing, 2011, p. 98. 7 M. Minkov, Cultural differences in a globalizing world, Bingley, Emerald Group Publishing, 2011, p. 99. 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