Effective Cooperation Across Cultures

Basic Conditions for Cooperation

1. Shared Language
   • Importance of speaking or learning a common language.
2. Shared Rules and Standards
   • Acting in accordance with mutual guidelines.

Accents in Communication

• Everyone communicates with an accent influenced by their local background.
• Our thoughts, feelings, and actions are similarly influenced by our cultural 'accent'.

Gaining an International Perspective

• Awareness of one’s own culture is crucial when engaging with diverse cultures.
• Personal international experience is irreplaceable for understanding cultural differences.
• Knowledge about national cultural differences can be acquired through research.

Skills Development

• Need to develop skills for cultural translation and understanding.

Common Global Issues

• All countries face similar fundamental problems, but they have unique solutions shaped by their cultures.
• Six Basic Problems Identified:
  1. Inequality: How much inequality should there be among people?
  2. Fear of the Unknown: How afraid are we of unknown people, ideas, and objects?
  3. Family Dependence: How dependent are we on our families (narrow, extended, or broader groups)?
  4. Gender Roles: How should men and women feel or act?
  5. Temporal Focus: Do we emphasize the future, past, or present?
  6. Attitude Towards Life: Is life viewed as an opportunity for fun or as a serious matter?

Dimensions of National Cultures

• Each problem corresponds to a dimension of national culture:
  1. Power Distance: Focus on inequality.
  2. Uncertainty Avoidance: Attitudes toward the unknown.
  3. Individualism vs. Collectivism: Family dependence.
  4. Masculinity vs. Femininity: Gender roles.
  5. Long-term vs. Short-term Orientation: Temporal focus.
  6. Indulgence vs. Restraint: Attitude towards life.