chapter 5

• Art and design
• Primary Education

Chapter 5

Cultural Synergy: Trompenaars’ 7 Dimensions and Cultural Reconciliation 

Your close friend is riding a car at 70km/h in a 30km/h zone. He hits a pedestrian you are in the passenger sit, and the only witness. The lawyer tells you that if you testify that he was driving at 30km/h he will be free. Has your friend the right to ask you this?

1. Yes, my friend has all the right to ask me this.
2. Yes, my friend has some right to ask me this.
3. No, he has no right.
4. Yes, my friend has the right to ask me, but not to expect me to do it.

Universalism

Standards and rules

Particularism

Relationships

In your community there is a STOP sign, but you know that no one ever passes that street. You need to stop there everyday, eventhough you know no one is going to come. What do you do?

In which situations
is it important to
spend time with
your family?

Alejandro is an assistant to the marketing manager of a large department store. He reports directly to his manager, Susana. At work, Susana is a person of authority. When they meet outside work (freetime), should Susana have the same autority over Alejandro?

1. She should
2. She should not

what can go wrong when specific meets diffuse?

If you invite a fellow or colleague over for a drink, is it okay with you, if they grab a drink from your fridge ( without asking)?

1. Yes, no problem.
2. No, it is really unpolite, they should ask.
3. Yes, but I prefer if they ask first.

Who are you?

Achieved

Ascribed

“ Managers must have the right answers to most questions asked by their subordinates”. Do you agree with this statement?

1. Yes
2. No
3. Maybe

Internal control

External control

Case 5.9
What should they do?

Cultural avoidance

Cultural Dominance

Cultural accomodation

Cultural compromise

Cultural synergy

CULTURAL SYNERGY

Step 1: Describe the situation from all points of view.

Step 2: Interpreting the cultures

Step 3: Increasing cultural creativity