Cross-Cultural Concerns in South African Organisations. Personality Incorporated with the Topic
Title of Assignment: Cross-cultural concerns in South African organisations. Personality is incorporated into the topic.
There are many concerns in the organisation – most of which have some relation to cross-cultural issues. Cross-culture is concerned with the “systematic study of behaviour and experience as it occurs in different cultures, is influenced by culture, or results in changes in existing cultures” (Trandis and Lambert, 1980, p.1). Kroeber and Kluckhohn, (1952, p.181) proposed a definition of their own, “culture consists of patterns, explicit and implicit, of and for behaviour acquired and transmitted by symbols, constituting the distinctive achievements”.
Personality may be defined “as the scientific study of psychological forces that make people uniquely themselves” as said by Friedman & Schustack(2002, p.2). Another definition may be “the sum total of ways in which an individual reacts to and interacts with others” (Robbins, Judge, Odendaal & Roodt, 2009, p.92).
Every organisation has cross-cultural issues. It is inevitable. Issues and concerns of cross-culture will be discussed with specific reference to the influence of personality in this essay. This essay also questions to which extent personality may be culturally determined. The extent to which personality and culture influences the actions of individuals and what is the relevance of this topic to the organisation.
Personality acts as a guideline to understand what makes certain individuals to act differently when presented with the same situation. Personality helps to better understand the behaviour of the individual. With reference to the organisation the way in which individuals make decisions are influenced by their personality and values, which are instilled by their culture. For instance a person who is always willing to take risks should be a great entrepreneur. Even though risks can backfire the benefit is larger. This type of individual would be an asset towards the
There are many concerns in the organisation – most of which have some relation to cross-cultural issues. Cross-culture is concerned with the “systematic study of behaviour and experience as it occurs in different cultures, is influenced by culture, or results in changes in existing cultures” (Trandis and Lambert, 1980, p.1). Kroeber and Kluckhohn, (1952, p.181) proposed a definition of their own, “culture consists of patterns, explicit and implicit, of and for behaviour acquired and transmitted by symbols, constituting the distinctive achievements”.
Personality may be defined “as the scientific study of psychological forces that make people uniquely themselves” as said by Friedman & Schustack(2002, p.2). Another definition may be “the sum total of ways in which an individual reacts to and interacts with others” (Robbins, Judge, Odendaal & Roodt, 2009, p.92).
Every organisation has cross-cultural issues. It is inevitable. Issues and concerns of cross-culture will be discussed with specific reference to the influence of personality in this essay. This essay also questions to which extent personality may be culturally determined. The extent to which personality and culture influences the actions of individuals and what is the relevance of this topic to the organisation.
Personality acts as a guideline to understand what makes certain individuals to act differently when presented with the same situation. Personality helps to better understand the behaviour of the individual. With reference to the organisation the way in which individuals make decisions are influenced by their personality and values, which are instilled by their culture. For instance a person who is always willing to take risks should be a great entrepreneur. Even though risks can backfire the benefit is larger. This type of individual would be an asset towards the
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