Providing social, economic, political, and ethical context of globalization, we will now address the cultural context. In addressing the topic, we will use Geert Hofestede's power distance as a starting point. Truly, it was a pleasure to meet such knowledgeable individual in one of the annual Academy of Management conferences and have the opportunity to chat with him for few minutes.
Hofestede's views on cultural differences is an excellent start by an academic leader but by no means comprehensive, complete, or portrays an accurate picture of cultural differences. For example, his views on Iran is inaccurate about the country before and after the 1979 revolution. Hofestede viewed Iran as one homogeneous country when articulating the power distance theory before the revolution and assumed is like an Arab nation after the revolution. However, Iran is neither homogeneous nor at any time like any other Arab or Muslim country. Therefore, if not for other countries, at the minimum his power distance theory has fundamental flows when addressing Iran and cannot be used to understand the true nature of global citizens' cultures. After all, Iran includes multitude of cultures (Turkmans, Uzbeks, Arabs, Azaris, and many more) where even Arabs from South West of Iran do not see themselves as a part of the Arab world.
So, how as global citizens, can we understand and communicate with other global citizens to minimize misunderstanding, appreciate our sense of diversity, and build on a common ground to proceed. How should we approach culture to better understand others?
Hofestede's views on cultural differences is an excellent start by an academic leader but by no means comprehensive, complete, or portrays an accurate picture of cultural differences. For example, his views on Iran is inaccurate about the country before and after the 1979 revolution. Hofestede viewed Iran as one homogeneous country when articulating the power distance theory before the revolution and assumed is like an Arab nation after the revolution. However, Iran is neither homogeneous nor at any time like any other Arab or Muslim country. Therefore, if not for other countries, at the minimum his power distance theory has fundamental flows when addressing Iran and cannot be used to understand the true nature of global citizens' cultures. After all, Iran includes multitude of cultures (Turkmans, Uzbeks, Arabs, Azaris, and many more) where even Arabs from South West of Iran do not see themselves as a part of the Arab world.
So, how as global citizens, can we understand and communicate with other global citizens to minimize misunderstanding, appreciate our sense of diversity, and build on a common ground to proceed. How should we approach culture to better understand others?
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