Cultural Knowledge - A Critical Perspective on the Concept as a Foundation for Respect for Cultural Differences

Cultural Knowledge - A Critical Perspective on the Concept as a Foundation for Respect for Cultural Differences PDF Author: Katharina Pilhofer
Publisher: Diplomica Verlag
ISBN: 3842862636
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 87

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Book Description
This book engages in a critical reading of cultural knowledge. By cultural knowledge I refer to cultural dimensions as introduced by Geert Hofstede, Edward T. Hall and Fons Trompenaars. Their research has manifold been taught to individuals who will face an intercultural setting in their business career at some point in the future. It aims to create understanding for cultural differences in order to decrease emotional discomfort and enhance (business) success of those who acquire the knowledge. At the same time it claims to present a foundation for respect for cultural differences since it gives (an imaginative) room to them. If one studies the knowledge (s)he will be aware of cultural differences and therefore treat them with respect. The book is composed of two perspectives on cultural knowledge. In a first step the book turns to post-colonial theory. Post-colonialism argues how a Western perspective has framed cultural identities and how these representations are flawed by colonial thinking. In a second step a Levinasian perspective is taken on cultural knowledge. The French philosopher Emmanuel Levinas was deeply concerned with our way of approaching the Other. He understood the Other to be incomprehensible to our understanding. The Other’s otherness cannot be „grasped“ by framing her/him into categories. He argued that every encounter is of ethical nature and encouraged each individual to show infinite re-sponsibility (responsebility) towards the Other that is not confined by any pre-knowledge. The book concludes that cultural knowledge has been exposed to significant limitations. These limitations are mainly a product of control interests. Individuals who acquire cultural knowledge and are not (made) aware of its limitations face consequences that may compromise their respect for cultural differences. Even though cultural knowledge presents itself as foundation for respect, it prioritizes understanding for the sake of control. As a consequence respectful representations are not given and respect for cultural differences is only supported as long as it does not threaten control. Ultimately, this book shall present a plea for trainers and teachers of cultural knowledge to become acquainted with the limitations, reflect on them and forward this knowledge to their students. It shall also encourage researchers of cultural differences and other scholars to reflect and perhaps improve on it.

Cultural Knowledge - A Critical Perspective on the Concept as a Foundation for Respect for Cultural Differences

Cultural Knowledge - A Critical Perspective on the Concept as a Foundation for Respect for Cultural Differences PDF Author: Katharina Pilhofer
Publisher: Diplomica Verlag
ISBN: 3842862636
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 87

Get Book Here

Book Description
This book engages in a critical reading of cultural knowledge. By cultural knowledge I refer to cultural dimensions as introduced by Geert Hofstede, Edward T. Hall and Fons Trompenaars. Their research has manifold been taught to individuals who will face an intercultural setting in their business career at some point in the future. It aims to create understanding for cultural differences in order to decrease emotional discomfort and enhance (business) success of those who acquire the knowledge. At the same time it claims to present a foundation for respect for cultural differences since it gives (an imaginative) room to them. If one studies the knowledge (s)he will be aware of cultural differences and therefore treat them with respect. The book is composed of two perspectives on cultural knowledge. In a first step the book turns to post-colonial theory. Post-colonialism argues how a Western perspective has framed cultural identities and how these representations are flawed by colonial thinking. In a second step a Levinasian perspective is taken on cultural knowledge. The French philosopher Emmanuel Levinas was deeply concerned with our way of approaching the Other. He understood the Other to be incomprehensible to our understanding. The Other’s otherness cannot be „grasped“ by framing her/him into categories. He argued that every encounter is of ethical nature and encouraged each individual to show infinite re-sponsibility (responsebility) towards the Other that is not confined by any pre-knowledge. The book concludes that cultural knowledge has been exposed to significant limitations. These limitations are mainly a product of control interests. Individuals who acquire cultural knowledge and are not (made) aware of its limitations face consequences that may compromise their respect for cultural differences. Even though cultural knowledge presents itself as foundation for respect, it prioritizes understanding for the sake of control. As a consequence respectful representations are not given and respect for cultural differences is only supported as long as it does not threaten control. Ultimately, this book shall present a plea for trainers and teachers of cultural knowledge to become acquainted with the limitations, reflect on them and forward this knowledge to their students. It shall also encourage researchers of cultural differences and other scholars to reflect and perhaps improve on it.

Cultural Knowledge

Cultural Knowledge PDF Author: Katharina Pilhofer
Publisher: diplom.de
ISBN: 3842808127
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 84

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Book Description
Inhaltsangabe:Introduction: Recent global economic developments have led to a shift in focus from the local to the global level and international companies are sending more and more of their employees abroad to take on international assignments. Simultaneously, the interest in inter- and cross-cultural topics has increased in response to the significant changes that have occurred in the context of business operations. One consequence of these changes entails that employees are increasingly exposed to situations where they deal with people of various cultural backgrounds. Scholars in the field of cross-cultural research have investigated the processes underlying intercultural encounters. They strive to come up with strategies that help dealing with such situations. Authors state that intercultural communication may lead to misunderstandings and miscommunication when people of different cultural backgrounds interact. Miscommunication arises if one is unaware of cultural differences and therefore perceives the counterpart s perspective to be similar to her/his own. Culture may function as a filter when the sender encodes and the receiver decodes a message. Meaning is distorted and interpreted in a wrong way if the filter is not understood. The common solution suggested by cross-cultural researchers is the accumulation of knowledge on cultural differences. The latter is seen to have an impact on intercultural communication. The knowledge in turn is assumed to make the situation transparent and manageable . Consequently, the supply of knowledge about cultural differences has grown extensively. Thereby represent cross-national comparisons the most influencing stream that focus on the variation of values across national cultures. The most widely known research on the subject is that of Geert Hofstede where he introduced the concept of cultural dimensions . In Hofstede s study, five different cultural dimensions that affect the communicative behaviour of individuals were identified. The popularity of his approach is impressive mainly because it is easily replicated, extended, and confirmed. Hofstede s research represents the most cited and popular theory when it comes to intercultural differences. However there are two more important scholars in the field: Edward T. Hall and Fons Trompenaars. All three scholars developed cultural dimensions that are supposed to influence the individual in (intercultural) communication. Their research has been [...]

Cultural Foundations of Education

Cultural Foundations of Education PDF Author: Young Pai
Publisher: Prentice Hall
ISBN:
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 276

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Book Description


Understanding Cultural Cues: Communicating Across Cultures

Understanding Cultural Cues: Communicating Across Cultures PDF Author: Emma Quinn
Publisher: QQB
ISBN:
Category : Biography & Autobiography
Languages : en
Pages : 139

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Book Description
The Importance of Cultural Cues in Communication In our increasingly globalized world, understanding cultural cues has never been more critical. But what exactly are cultural cues, and why do they matter so much? Imagine you're at a business meeting in Japan, and you hand over your business card with one hand, barely making eye contact. To you, this might seem perfectly respectful and efficient, but to your Japanese counterparts, it could be perceived as dismissive and unprofessional. This small misstep underscores the importance of understanding and respecting cultural nuances.

Understanding Cultural Diversity in Today's Complex World

Understanding Cultural Diversity in Today's Complex World PDF Author: Dr. Leo Parvis
Publisher: Lulu.com
ISBN: 1411658426
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 230

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Book Description
No one in this country is untouched by the impact of diversity. Yet, as diverse as diversity is, are too the many different emotions and attitudes evoked by diversity. As a nation, we are not well equipped to deal with the swirling transitions that are converging on us on a daily basis because of the nature of being the most diverse country in the world.This text will well serve the purpose for many who decide to learn and teach the fundamentals of cultural diversity. It will be beneficial for college students, high school juniors and seniors, and organizations whose ever-changing workforce leads to the necessity of educating employees on how to deal with the diversity of employees and customers in a positive manner. This timely publication is filled with current and relevant examples taken from pop culture: from TV shows, song lyrics, and poetry of the times. These excerpts make this publication much more interesting and easy for the reader to relate to and understand.

Key Concepts in Cultural Theory

Key Concepts in Cultural Theory PDF Author: Andrew Edgar
Publisher: Psychology Press
ISBN: 9780415114035
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 536

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Book Description
A comprehensive survey of over 350 of the key terms encountered in cultural theory today. [from publisher's advertisement].

THE BASICS OF CROSS CULTURAL UNDERSTANDING

THE BASICS OF CROSS CULTURAL UNDERSTANDING PDF Author: Dr. Sri Herminingrum, M.Hum.; Sri Utami Budi, M.A.
Publisher: Media Nusa Creative (MNC Publishing)
ISBN: 6024624425
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 118

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Book Description
This book is suitable to be utilized as a learning process material for students whose class activity are focused in elaborating cultural communication. A number of quotes on opinions, statements, research results, and other sources from relevant experts are successfully collected and neatly sorted according to the concept of chronological order, which would support the students’ learning. The data exposed are the bases to construct two-way communications among people in a community or society who belongs to the category of different culture groups. The examples of psychological, socio-cultural problems put forward in this book are also highly representative, because they can be used as cultural communication strategy. By imparting the understanding of definitions, terms, principles, and meanings from the cultural aspects, the author invites the readers, especially university students who are learning how to build the bridge of communication through a medium known as cross cultural understanding. Additionally, clues for discussion arranged by the authors are quite apprehensible for students to broaden their horizon of cross-cultural understanding. These clues for discussion offer chances for the students to search for various other sources, such as blogs, research articles, journals, valid news, and so on. Of course, this will bring them to the knowledge that, without putting aside the role of language, different culture will affect the ways of communication. It is no doubt that this book will be very useful according to its purpose. This is due to the fact that the main author, Sri Herminingrum, is an academic with the field of expertise in culture. Not only as a senior lecturer of the cultural and literary studies but also as an independent researcher whose main concern is about socio-cultural phenomena, which highly support the launch of this book. Of course, the contribution of the second author, Sri Utami Budi, whose field of study is related to the written material, is very valuable for the completion of this book.

Understanding Cultural Traits

Understanding Cultural Traits PDF Author: Fabrizio Panebianco
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 3319243497
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 408

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Book Description
This volume constitutes a first step towards an ever-deferred interdisciplinary dialogue on cultural traits. It offers a way to enter a representative sample of the intellectual diversity that surrounds this topic, and a means to stimulate innovative avenues of research. It stimulates critical thinking and awareness in the disciplines that need to conceptualize and study culture, cultural traits, and cultural diversity. Culture is often defined and studied with an emphasis on cultural features. For UNESCO, “culture should be regarded as the set of distinctive spiritual, material, intellectual and emotional features of society or a social group”. But the very possibility of assuming the existence of cultural traits is not granted, and any serious evaluation of the notion of “cultural trait” requires the interrogation of several disciplines from cultural anthropology to linguistics, from psychology to sociology to musicology, and all areas of knowledge on culture. This book presents a strong multidisciplinary perspective that can help clarify the problems about cultural traits.

Perspectives on Culture, Values, and Justice

Perspectives on Culture, Values, and Justice PDF Author: Chandana Chakrabarti
Publisher: Cambridge Scholars Publishing
ISBN: 1443881805
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 195

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Book Description
This book explores three central concepts, namely justice and human rights, ethics and values, and intercultural learning. These are important to everyone in a multicultural society and of special interest to students and scholars of philosophy, cultural studies, religious studies, and other related disciplines. In this volume, a pluralistic approach is adopted to examine ethical and value questions. Accordingly, readers will learn much from the interaction between Western and Eastern methods of ethical inquiry. The impetus for this collection of essays is the notion that cultural diversity represents a source of exchange, innovation and creativity. Consequently, cultural diversity is as critical for humankind as biodiversity is for nature. Furthermore, cultural diversity is a property of the entire community, just as biodiversity is a property of the entire ecosystem. Therefore, understanding and learning from cultural pluralism is as central to social and cultural stewardship as protection and restoration are to biological diversity. Within the pages of Perspectives on Culture, Values, and Justice readers will experience a growth in perspective and a greater understanding of issues of culture, value, and justice. A major starting point for these contemplations is that culture and values are integral to our identity and the essence of who we are and what we do.

Breaking the Ice

Breaking the Ice PDF Author: Daisy Kabagarama
Publisher: Allyn & Bacon
ISBN: 9780205266524
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 100

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Book Description
This book helps readers better understand and interact with people from other cultures, encouraging them to react and draw upon their experiences. The concept of culture is discussed fully, and both its unifying and divisive elements are examined. Exercises found both throughout the text and at the end of each chapter are aimed at helping readers discover their own biases.