ASHESI UNIVERSITY COLLEGE - Ashesi Institutional Repository ...

1.1 CultureGeert Hofstede defines culture as “the collective programming of thehuman mind that distinguishes the members of one human group from thoseof another. Culture, in this sense, is a system of collectively held values”(Hofstede,1980/1981). Culture within an organisation also has the samegeneral foundation and degree of influence on the way people act or behave.When the culture of a society is established and identified, any behaviourthat does not conform to the culture of the society is easily spotted and maycause some apprehension. For example, within organisations wherecohesiveness and teamwork are essential, employees who are ultimatelyindividualistic would be found wanting. Cultures differ from society to society.Many have come to accept these differences as they stand apart, howeverwhen these cultural differences are brought together it sometimes provesdifficult to adapt without the proper knowledge and understanding. Though inGhanaian culture it is accepted and sometimes encouraged to give cash giftsand tips for services rendered, in a country like Japan it can be considered aninsult especially if the money is taken directly out of the giver‟s pocket andhanded over (Lynn, 2000). Without proper instruction or education aboutsuch delicate differences, it may cause friction between Ghanaian andJapanese workers, for example, within a company.This dissertation considers the challenges that managers face withregard to communication with different cultures, and the remedies requiredin an attempt to ensure a conducive and effective working environment forall employees.4