The importance of expatriates being able to interact and communicate with local nationals is emphasized by the contact theory assuming that interpersonal contacts between individuals from different cultures lead to understanding and adjustment. One of the ways that expatriate newcomers become aware of appropriate behaviours in the host country is interacting with host country nationals in a social setting, as local people would be the sources of information and help to understand. The successful expatriates are socially well-integrated. Therefore, expatriates who often communicate and interact with locals will be less surprised and frustrated by differences in non-work circumstances of the host country comparing with expatriates who are socially isolated from the host culture. In the host country, inappropriate behaviours are more likely to result in negative outcomes, leading the expatriate to make the wrong attributions about the culture of the host country and consequently to further withdraw from it. Avoiding interaction with the host country nationals in daily life outside work leads expatriates to ignore local thinking and mentality, which affects their ability to assess work situations and make them develop inaccurate assumptions about the people they are managing. However, others have argued that to bring about adjustment merely interacting with host nationals is not enough, suggesting that adjustment will be facilitated if the expatriates have the cultural empathy
The harmony of the existing cultures is crucial for the survival and success of any communication and ignoring these aspects may challenge the communication. For example, speaking to employees in Middle East is quite different from Switzerland; talking about personal things is acceptable by Swiss. Individuals who move to other countries unprepared for cultural differences may face unpleasant frustration when communicating. However, those who try to learn other cultures are likely to avoid individual tragedies. For example, Americans doing business in Mexico need to learn the local language to enhance interactions with the locals.
As corporations expand their business beyond the borders of their home country, so too must employees expand their perception of the world. Working in a foreign country can be no easy task for the uninitiated and uninformed. An individual’s way of thinking and, more importantly, their comfort zone, can be put through the wringer once they begin a new job overseas. This is what is commonly known as culture shock, a term which will be explained further in the following paragraphs. While there are a few different meanings to this term, the purpose of this paper is to identify the issues one may have when working and living in a foreign country, to educate the reader and prepare them with the basics for a smoother transition into a new country and new culture.
Another factor in the success of an expatriate involves the expatriates pre-existing culture intelligence quotient (CQ). It is still uncertain that an expatriate’s success working internationally is determined by their CQ but it is crucial for expatriates working on international assignments because it is a sign of cultural competency.
Become a citizen of one of the best nations in the world is a privilege that not many people have. I’m talking about the United States of America. If you are an U.S natural born citizen you have rights and responsibilities that protect you based on the Declaration of Independence and the U.S Constitution. People who are in the position to become U.S. citizens gain the same rights, privileges, and responsibilities of citizenship as natural born American with the only restriction that they can’t be eligible for President of the United States.
For several years, politicians and leaders have talked about and debated over immigrants living in the United States without the proper documentation that declare them a citizen of the States. Many of these immigrants have started families and lived in the United States for many years. Some of these immigrants were brought and raised in the United States as babies and have only known this country since a young age. In the dictionary a citizen is, “a native or naturalized person who owes allegiance to a government and is entitled to protection from it” (“Citizen”). An enormous amount of immigrants considers themselves as citizens of the U.S. because they were raised on U.S. soil and not the country they were born from. However, politicians
The opportunities to work abroad are more today than they have ever been in the history of mankind. The big planet Earth has become a small global village and sovereign barriers seem to have disappear. While working in a foreign country, some individuals
Loneliness can impose a challenge to Mary due to many factors such as cultural differences, finances and nostalgia. In reference to finances one issue which becoming more apparent is the fact that expats automatically assume that they are moving to a “like-for-like” situation with regards to the cost of living. The cost of living in Dubai is relatively higher than majority of countries in the West because it is an expensive country to live in, Mary must address this “like-for-like” mind set and inform interested applicants prior to hiring and/or through orientation. Cultural differences between East and West is noticeable in Dubai although Dubai is more lenient compared to other countries in the region, cultural clashes may cause expats to feel isolated. Reminding and reinforcing to expats that choosing to move to a region which has a different culture adaption is key first and foremost. Moving to another country will be a new experience for expats to adjust the move and being away from home may be difficult for some, Mary must take into consideration all these variables associated to loneliness.
Students across the United States stand before the American flag pledging an allegiance to a country that protects every citizen’s “unalienable rights”. Students are raised to devote their life to a country they are born into by chance. Unknown to them, they are subject to the laws and regulations of an outside world that boasts freedom, yet imposes a pledge amongst children. The American government was once a country of dissent and rebellion. However, as citizens become radical in the midst of chaos, cower in the face of defeat, comply to a vocal minority, silence their voice in fear of a powerful nation, abuse of power becomes prevalent, and citizens must practice the most American form of democracy— civil
The democratic principles, Consent of Governed, The rule of law, Responsibilities of citizenship and Citizens rights all help the American Democracy vote and get involved in the government. Consent of the Governed helps Americans actually vote. The rule of law can get the president impeached. The responsibilities of citizenship can be dating public issues. Citizens rights is being able to express their own opinion. These principles give all American citizens an opportunity to vote.
The role of a citizen in the United States of America are that the government is supposed to protect the individual's rights. In the constitution Preamble, it states that the “federal government was established to form a more perfect union”. To establish justice, insure domestic Tranquillity, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity. To become an official United States citizen, you must have a Permanent Resident also known as a Green Card for at least five years. Next, you have to meet certain eligibility requirements, including being or be at least 18 years old at the time of filing. Lastly, you must go through the ten step naturalization process which includes.
When the founding fathers penned the Constitution, they had a set of guidelines that they wanted both the government, and citizens of America to follow. All of these ideas were laid out within the Constitution. One of the biggest roles of the federal government is handling affairs with other nations. This includes everything from defending our citizens, to international trade. The government maintains a court system that is lower than the Supreme Court. If it weren’t for this lower court system, there would be no checks and balances process, which is essential in maintaining a fair and equal government. The government handles the monetary production for the country, ensuring that there is a simple coin system, so that
How can global HR professionals prepare global employees for the challenges they will face, and what might global HR professionals do to help deal with cultural challenges faced by people working in new cultures? Discuss specifically what might be done to help counteract separation anxiety, loneliness, homesickness, and other issues that make people feel like strangers in a strange land.
Cultural differences between countries have strong effects on individual personality and behavior, as well as on organizational culture (Hofstede 2001). These differences can be a significant barrier for an international business leader. Failure to understand and adapt to these differences may
In summary, the home culture of an expatriate predisposes them to certain behaviors and situations. It allows them to operate efficiently in that environment. However, moving to the host-culture changes that operating environment and makes their 'mental software ' less efficient and effective. Culture is clearly a relevant variable when expatriating employees and their families for international business assignments. Training can be applied to ameliorate these effects. Also, training provides insight into the procedural, substantive and informational aspects of their work and personal life in the host location.
In this era of Globalisation, cross cultural management is the biggest challenge that is faced by the organisations. Within the business context, cross culture refers to interaction between different cultures. Cross cultural management refers to managing the employees from different cultural background in one environment (Adler, 2008). Cross culture management is a significant issue within the organisations as the success of an organisation depends upon the smooth interaction of the employees. This paper is aimed at providing insight on the cross cultural management and the main issues and challenges relating to cross cultural management. For the purpose of this paper, two articles, “Cross-cultural Differences in Management”, by Amman & Jordan