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4.1 Discussion: Uncertainty Avoidance (Part B)

 

Getting Started

Note: This is Part B of a two-week discussion forum. In the previous workshop, you made an initial post; in this workshop, you will respond to the posts of your classmates and will post a summary of your new learning. You and your classmates must pace yourselves to complete the discussion fully within the time allotted.

Hofstedes uncertainty avoidance dimension provides a relative ranking of tolerance for ambiguity and risk. Societies characterized by higher uncertainty avoidance are less tolerant of vague situations and more averse to risk. Countries with lower uncertainty avoidance, such as the United States, tend to be more open to ambiguity and accepting risk. In the workplace environment where employee teams are often comprised of those with mixed cultural backgrounds, an understanding as to the role of uncertainty avoidance on team behavior will better equip organizational leaders (10 minutes with, 2015).

Reference

10 minutes with. (2015, March 7). 10 minutes with Geert Hofstede on uncertainty avoidance 01032015 [Video]. YouTube.

Upon successful completion of this discussion, you will be able to:

  • Articulate the relationship between uncertainty avoidance and the propensity to trust.
  • Determine the impact of uncertainty avoidance on an organizations innovation.

Resources

  • Webpage: The Role of Cultural Differences in Business Communications
  • Webpage: On Avoiding Uncertainty

Instructions

  1. Review the rubric to make sure you understand the criteria for earning your grade.
  2. Review the internet article “.”
  3. Paying attention to the authors perspective on the connection between product quality and uncertainty avoidance, review the internet article “.”
  4. By the end of this workshop, read and critically respond to at least two of your classmates.
    1. Consider their reflection on the self-assessment results and application of principles related to uncertainty avoidance.
    2. Offer critical evaluation or add clarity to the posts of your classmates.
    3. Where applicable, respectfully offer alternate perspectives and provide additional clarifying commentary to add to the discussion.
  5. Each response should be at least 150 words. 

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4.2 Discussion: Developing a Cultural Map (Part B)

 

  

Getting Started

Note: This is Part B of a two-week discussion forum. In the previous workshop, you made an initial post; in this workshop, you will respond to the posts of your classmates and will post a summary of your new learning. You and your classmates must pace yourselves to complete the discussion fully within the time allotted. 

In this discussion, you will examine Hofstedes national culture dimensions related to the concepts of uncertainty avoidance. Uncertainty avoidance is not a risk of avoidance but deals with ambiguity (10 minutes with, 2015). As a cultural manager you will work with people from various backgrounds that will test your cultural competency. In this assignment, you will create a cultural map using SmartArt located in Microsoft Word and will compare maps with your classmates.

Reference

10 minutes with. (2015, March 7). 10 minutes with Geert Hofstede on uncertainty avoidance 01032015 [Video]. YouTube. 

Upon successful completion of this discussion, you will be able to:

  • Develop a cultural map using SmartArt.
  • Determine points of tensions between your cultures and other cultures.
  • Defend multicultural competency as a necessary skill for managerial success.

Resources

  • Video: 10 Minutes with Geert Hofstede on Uncertainty Avoidance 
  • Video: The right way to ask questions about your colleagues race 
  • File: Cultural Map

Instructions

  1. Review the rubric to make sure you understand the criteria for earning your grade.
  2. Review the video “10 Minutes with Geert Hofstede on Uncertainty Avoidance.”
  3. Review the video “The right way to ask questions about your colleagues race.”
  4. By the end of this workshop, read and critically respond to at least two of your classmates.
    1. Offer a critical evaluation or add clarity to the posts of your classmates.
    2. Offer alternate perspectives and provide additional clarifying commentary to add to the discussion.
  5. Each response should be at least 150 words.

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Getting Started

This is a two-week discussion. Your initial post is due by the end of Workshop Four. You will then engage in dialogue with your classmates in at least three discussion threads (one of which is your initial post) and will post a summary of your new knowledge for each of the three discussion threads. While your interactions are not due until the end of Workshop Five, you should be prepared to engage in the discussion throughout both workshops.

In the video you will watch for this discussion, Hofstede identifies masculine societies as those in which emotional gender roles between men and women are distinct. Cultures characterized as being feminine are those in which the gender roles are not as distinct, often overlapping (10 minutes with, 2014). In this discussion, you will examine this cultural dimension in more depth, while having the opportunity to reflect on your personal views relative to masculine and feminine traits.

Reference

10 minutes with. (2014, November 18). 10 minutes with…Geert Hofstede on masculinity versus femininity 10112014 [Video]. YouTube.

Upon successful completion of this discussion, you will be able to:

  • Examine theoretical concepts in the exploration of business globalization and culture.
  • Analyze the impact of cultural differences on business decision making and strategic planning.
  • Articulate the importance of integrating a Christian worldview with global business practice.

Resources

  • Video: 10 Minutes with Geert Hofstede on Masculinity versus Femininity
  • File: Masculinity vs. Femininity
  • Article: ‘Christian Worldview’ Drives Hungary’s Stunningly Successful Pro-Family Policies: Minister for Family

Instructions

  1. Review the rubric to make sure you understand the criteria for earning your grade.
  2. Watch the video “10 Minutes with Geert Hofstede on Masculinity versus Femininity.”
  3. Examine the PowerPoint on . 
  4. Read the article “.”
  5. Navigate to the discussion below and post a substantive response to the following questions:  
    1. Complete the following chart based on your personal views of masculine and feminine roles. Identify each trait listed as either masculine or feminine, using your personal perspective. Copy and paste the completed chart into your initial discussion post.
      Trait                                                     Masculine           Feminine
    2. Build relationships based on trust  
    3. Coach and mentor others 
    4. Culturally competent  
    5. Strategic thinker  
    6. High level of confidence 
    7.  Problem-solver  
    8. Risk-taker  
    1. Group together the traits you have identified as masculine and write a paragraph explaining your perspective. Write a second paragraph discussing your perspective on those traits you have identified as feminine.
    2. From your reading of the article “Christian Worldview Drives Hungarys Stunningly Successful Pro-Family Policies: Minister for Family,” consider the social ramifications of espousing a Christian worldview in Hungary. What spillover effects might be anticipated when the Christian worldview described in the article and global business intersect? 
  7. Your initial response should:
    1. Be 200300 words in length
    2. Include a minimum of two properly cited references. For questions on APA style, go to .
  8. Your initial response is due by the end of Workshop Four.
  9. You will respond to your classmates in the 5.1 Discussion: Masculinity vs. Femininity Societies (Part B).

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4.4 Discussion: Assess Your Cultural Profile (Part A)

Getting Started

This is a two-week discussion. Your initial post is due by the end of Workshop Four. You will then engage in dialogue with your classmates in at least three discussion threads (one of which is your initial post) and will post a summary of your new knowledge for each of the three discussion threads. While your interactions are not due until the end of Workshop Five, you should be prepared to engage in the discussion throughout both workshops.

As a global manager, understanding culture and being able to work with diverse groups of people effectively is vital. Cultural mapping outcomes can be harnessed and directed to create sustainable futures. In this workshop, you will demonstrate your global know-how and assess your mind frame.

Upon successful completion of this discussion, you will be able to:

  • Analyze the impact of cultural differences on business decision making and strategic planning.
  • Articulate the importance of integrating a Christian worldview with global business practice.

Resources

  • Video: The Culture Map
  • Video: Download and Install Snipping Tool++
  • Article: Assess Your Cultural Profile
  • Website: What’s Your Cultural Profile?

Instructions

  1. Review the rubric to make sure you understand the criteria for earning your grade.
  2. Watch the video “” by Erin Meyer.
  3. Read the article “” by David Champion.
  4. Locate the assessment tool within “” and take the questionnaire.
  5. Navigate to the discussion below and post a substantive response to the following questions ac:
    1. Discuss your assessment and reflect on how the assessment might shape you as a global manager. Use PowerPoint to create a short presentation (five slides) and include images of your assessment using Snipping Tool to take snippets of your assessment to share with your peers. For information on Snipping Tool, watch the following video.
    2. What areas would you improve or strengthen?
    3. Reflect on  and discuss whether your trust in God is more ask-based trust (from the head) or relationship-based trust (from the heart)?
  6. Your initial response should:
    1. Be 200300 words in length
    2. Include a minimum of two properly cited references. For questions on APA style, go to .
  7. Your initial response is due by the end of Workshop Four.
  8. You will respond to your classmates in the 5.2 Discussion: Assess Your Cultural Profile (Part B).

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4.5 Assignment: ArcelorMittal Acquisition

 

Getting Started

Strategic alliances are partnerships between two or more firms that decide they can better pursue their mutual goals by combining their resourcesfinancial, managerial, technologicalas well as their existing distinctive competitive advantages. In a highly competitive environment, alliances present a faster and less risky route to globalization. In this workshop, you will examine in depth a merger (strategic alliance) between two companies and understand the cultural effects. We will also explore Hofstedes fourth dimension, masculinity.

Upon successful completion of this assignment, you will be able to:

  • Determine ways culture influences global alliances and acquisitions.
  • Analyze the impact of cultural differences on business decision making and strategic planning.
  • Articulate the importance of integrating a Christian worldview with global business practice.

Resources

  • Article: Arcelor Agrees to Mittal Takeover
  • Article: ArcelorMittal and Nippon Steel Complete Acquisition of Essar Steel
  • Webpage: Hofstede’s Insights
  • Website: ArcelorMittal
  • Webpage: OCLS APA Writing Style Guides

Background Information

About ArcelorMittal

ArcelorMittal is the worlds leading steel and mining company, with a presence in 60 countries and an industrial footprint in 18 countries.  Guided by a philosophy to produce safe, sustainable steel, ArcelorMittal is the leading supplier of quality steel in the major global steel markets including automotive, construction, household appliances and packaging, with world-class research and development and outstanding distribution networks (Arcelormittal, n.d.).

Through the core values of sustainability, quality and leadership, ArcelorMittal operates responsibly with respect to the health, safety and well being of their employees, contractors and the communities in which they operate (Arcelormittal, n.d.). 

For ArcelorMittal, steel is the fabric of life, as it is at the heart of the modern world from railways to cars and washing machines. ArcelorMittal is actively researching and producing steel-based technologies and solutions that make many of the products and components people use in their everyday lives more energy efficient (Arcelormittal, n.d.).   

The merger of Indias Mittal Steel and Luxembourgs Arcelor in 2006 produced the largest steel company in the world, Arcelor Mittal.  In 2019, ArcelorMittal announced the acquisition of Essar Steel India Limited (ESIL) and simultaneously established a joint venture with Nippon Steel Corporation (Nippon Steel) called ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India Limited (,, & , 2006) .

Reference:

Arcelormittal (n.d.)  retrieved from 

 J., , T., & , A, (June 25, 2006) Arcelor agrees to Mittal takeover retrieved from 

Instructions

  1. Review the rubric to make sure you understand the criteria for earning your grade.
  2. Read the article .  https://www.nytimes.com/2006/06/25/business/worldbusiness/25iht-steel.html?auth=link-dismiss-google1tap 
  3. Read the article .    https://corporate.arcelormittal.com/media/press-releases/arcelormittal-and-nippon-steel-complete-acquisition      
  4. Peruse  for additional information.    https://corporate.arcelormittal.com/
  5. Peruse  for additional information.   https://www.hofstede-insights.com/country-comparison/india/
  6. Write a 5-6 page paper following APA Style. For questions on APA Style, go to  APA Writing Styles Guides.
  7. In your paper, address the following questions:
    1. Compare Hofstede’s cultural dimensions for the countries of Luxembourg, India, and Japan.
    2. Discuss Arcelor’s motivation to acquire Mittal and Mittal’s motivation to merge with Arcelor.
    3. Discuss the two major challenges that threatened the Arcelor/Mittal merger. Which of Hofstede’s cultural dimensions might be at the core of these challenges?
    4. Discuss at least two reasons why ArcelorMittal acquired Essar Steel.
    5. Discuss the rationale for ArcelorMittals joint venture with Nippon Steel.
    6. If you were a manager at ArcelorMittal, what cultural challenges might emerge in your attempts to integrate a Christian worldview in the workplace? 
  8. Include an introduction paragraph, a conclusion paragraph, APA level one headings, and a minimum of five (5) properly cited sources in your paper.
  9. Submit your formatted APA paper by the end of this workshop.

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4.6 Assignment: Country Selection

 

 

Getting Started

You will select a country (other than the United States and Canada) for your final infographic project. Your instructor will approve the country selections to avoid duplications. An approval is required from your instructor prior to starting the project.

Upon successful completion of this assignment, you will be able to:

  • Select a country for final project.

Instructions

  1. Select a country for your culminating project.
  2. Submit the country selection to your instructor by the end of the workshop.
  3. Your instructor will approve country selections to avoid duplicates