Tool: Research Another Culture

LSM595: Leading Across Cultures

Cornell School of Hotel Administration

Tool: Research another Culture

You can use the chart below to plan your efforts when you’ll be working in a new country, leading a team within a new country, or interacting with key clients and customers in a new country.

Although it might be days, months, or years before you find the need to research a country for a business reason, this chart can be used with or without a business purpose. This tool is a way to guide your research, note taking, and thinking when it comes to researching these cultural dimensions.

Country: / Real or Hypothetical Business Reason for the Cross-Cultural Work Effort:
Find the Country’s Location on the Five Dimensions / Notes / How This Dimension Will Impact Your Work
Context
Risk
Linear/Parallel
Hierarchy
Individualism/Collectivism
Identify Specific Considerations about the Culture / Source / Key Learnings
1.
2.
3.
Book / Title/Author / Key Learnings
Book / Title/Author / Key Learnings
Key Business/Cultural Considerations
What are the greeting rituals? How are meetings arranged? / Source
Who/what sources will you consult to find this out? / Notes on Recommended Behavior
Foreign Colleagues
Who, on your team or within the company, will you contact in advance of your visit? Note whom you plan to contact. / Questions
What questions will you ask in advance of your visit? What are some of the things you’re thinking about? / Notes
1. I have recently learned about differences across countries in the way people approach work and I am hoping that you can help me deepen that knowledge by answering a few questions that would help me to be effective working in (country x) or with people from (country x).
In (country x), is it important to socialize with business contacts, for example, going to meals or bars together?
If so, am I responsible for the invitation or will my host invite me?
If we’re dining together, who is expected to begin the meal: the host, or the guest, whoever is oldest, or someone else?
What are considered good topics of conversation when we meet socially? Can we discuss business over a meal?
2. Have you observed any common etiquette mistakes that people from [my country] make when visiting [country x]? What are those? What could the visitors have done better in those cases?
3. What do you think is most important for me to know about cultural traditions or behavioral norms in the workplace in [your country] before I visit? What behaviors would people typically like to see from a visiting foreign colleague?
4. What tips or suggestions do you have for a person who wants to present himself or herself well in meetings?
5. Please complete this sentence:
“When attending a business meeting or giving a presentation in my country, make sure that you….”
6.