Designing a Cross-cultural Training Programme for Assessors - ACSG

The Proposal Process: Rationales for the Alternative Explanations1. It is possible that Jose wanted to improve his proposal, but this does not mean that he would have to goto the library right away, thus breaking his previous engagement for the evening. Certainly the library tripcould wait until the next day. Please choose again.2. Jealousy is always a possible reaction whenever one person has success, but this does not constitutesuch a general reaction in the Philippines as to provide a good explanation here. In addition, as Stan’sproposal was well known among the people at the meeting because of prior communications among theprincipal, Stan, and the rest of the people, Jose probably had known for some time that the proposalwould be approved for its next step toward implementation. Please choose again.3. This is the best answer. In his own country, New Zealand, Stan is familiar with the fact that a person canbe both a friend and a critic who makes constructive suggestions (this ability to be a friend and critic is ingeneral true of English-speaking countries). In fact, if Stan did not make constructive suggestions that inthe long run would improve a friend’s proposal, that friend could criticize Stan for not helping out whenhe could. In the Philippines, the roles of friend and critic are differentiated, or separate. The same personcannot easily be both a friend and a critic who makes suggestions about the friend’s work, at least inpublic. People in the Philippines have a set of expectations about what a friend is, and Stan’s behaviorviolated these expectations. It is possible that if Stan had made his suggestions in private, when theprincipal and the rest of the school staff were absent, Jose might not have felt so bad. Even then,however, Stan would want to be sure that he was making his suggestions in a style acceptable in thePhilippines (and, in general, Southeast Asia). That style would include saying a number of good thingsabout the proposal, being much more indirect than he would in his own country, and keeping the tone ofthe meeting light, with jokes and anecdotes.4. It is possible that the principal would eventually ask Jose to improve his proposal, but it would be rude todo so right after the meeting, necessitating an immediate trip to the library. The principal would ratherpick a later moment, after the unpleasantness of the present meeting have faded. The principal seemsvery sensitive to local norms, for instance, in only calling for discussion of proposals with which allmeeting-goers are familiar. Please choose again.Business or Pleasure? Rationales for the Alternative Explanations1. There are more efficient and accurate ways to find out such kinds of information about a company. Thisexplanation is rather unlikely. Please choose again.2. This is a typical overgeneralized stereotype of Latins. Although they do enjoy leisure activities in theirculture, they are also hard workers. Please choose again.3. There is no evidence to support this. It is doubtful that they would waste so much time and money onTom just to be kind while refusing him. There is a more reasonable answer. Please choose again.4. This is the best answer. Much of American culture is concerned with efficiency and time. Although othercultures are also concerned about these things, Americans have a tendency to stress getting the jobdone, with emphasis on the end product rather than on the means or the process of getting it done. Inthe Latin culture, although product is important, there is equal concern about personal relationships.Page 6 of 10