Understanding Cultural Diversity

High-Context Cultures: Cultures is which nonverbal and situational messages convey primary meaning. Status of an individual is of tantamount importance in determining relationships.

Low-Context Cultures: Cultures is which words convey primary meaning of this culture. Nonverbal messages are secondary to spoken words. The terms of the deal are more important than building a business relationship.

GLOBE Project

Other Sources of Cultural Diversity

Individualistic cultures: Cultures emphasize individual rights, roles, and achievements.

Collectivist cultures: Cultures emphasize duty and loyalty to collective goals

Time

Monochronic time: A perception of time is a straight line broken into standard units. Timely arrivals and keeping appointments considered important.

Polychronic time: A perception of time is flexible, elastic, and multidimensional. Appointment schedules considered approximations and are not kept precisely.

Interpersonal space: Some cultures prefer a close rather than wide distance between conversing individuals.

Language skills: Language fluency opens insights into another culture.

Religion: Religion has many effects on personal and professional activities in many cultures.