Culture Orientation in - DK

8/9/2019 Culture Orientation in - DK

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Culture Orientation(Awareness and Inclincation is the only solution to bridge the gap)

India-Denmark

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Disclaimer : All the views expressed and shared are only from the author and are not supposed

to be linked to the organizations view

Venkata Prasad Kothe, 2nd August 2010


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Danish Culture - Jante LawIt is symbolic of the Danish cultural code to frown upon considering yourself

better than others. The national perspective emphasizes fairness and equality for

all.

The ten rules of the Jante Law are: Don't think that you are special.

Don't think that you are of the same standing as us.

Don't think that you are smarter than us.

Don't fancy yourself as being better than us. Don't think that you know more than us.

Don't think that you are more important than us.

Don't think that you are good at anything.

Don't laugh at us.

Don't think that anyone cares about you.

Don't think that you can teach us anything.

The Jante Law is believed to have influenced the current social structure of Danish

Society and should be considered when dealing with the Danes in Business.(Wikipedia, Denmark- Jante Lae, 5-3-07, Page 1, Paragraph 1) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jante_law

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Indian Culture - General

Few of the said/unsaid rules are: The 'namaste' forms an important part of Indian etiquette and is generally used while

greeting and saying good-bye.

Respect to elders is of high prominence.

Guests and Ladies are treated with utmost respect and courtesy.

The activities are more oral than written contracts (except legal work).

Have difficulty in saying NO, this could be a stumbling block in discussions.

Emotional and protective about the job we are doing. We work hard to make sure not to let down the trust laid on us.

Not everyone can take a joke easily. Highly sensitive on certain personal issues.

Proficiency in English is very high.

Friendship is highly valued, whether based on multigenerational family friendships, schoolfriendships or personal friendships.

Treat life as a Race all the time.

We standup when we have an elder or a person of higher designation comes as a mark ofrespect.

We care about others more than ourselves.

We tend to react personally to pressure from Society and peers.

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Compromise Is it a Perception?

The infrastructure available in the country and theworkplace generally are in a way thatdemands/requires people to optimize on theresources with what is provided and not demandfor quality, same is applied to an organization as

well. The workstations and office space for theemployees in India is generally not of the samequality as its counterpart in other locations.

Our Strength becomes our Weakness.

Optimal use of infrastructure transforms toinefficient usage which is a compromise on thequality in the long run.



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Denmark:

Teaching is done a bit more loosely and in teams.

For example Grades 4-6 will be taught by a team of teachers who each have thefreedom to choose their own textbooks, materials and methods of teaching. There

are no official grades as you find in US schools. It is not until the 8th grade where

grades are officially given and than in grade 9 the students take their final exams.

Freedom to choose the fields of expertise even if they have limited financial returns

is common as the govt. supports them. People are encouraged to get into sports and

fun related activities.

India:

Teaching is done in teams in a slightly more stricter manner.

Grades and Percentages drive us more than the freedom to choose what is of

interest. There is a race to get higher scores which are treated as a mark of

knowledge and get similar respect. The amount of applicability of knowledge is

actually limited and is seldom encouraged. Education is the only basis of getting a

good job and good salary which is of high value in the society. The intelligence is

suppressed by the need to knowbasis jobsin the service sector. People are

discouraged to get into sports and fun related activities.

India : This behavioris more applicable forpeople born 10 yrs back, andis nowchanging in an optimisticway

as people understand betterthe ill-effectsof this approach.

Education System

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or anizations view


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Differentiating FactorsIndia Denmark

Debating about ones view not encouraged

especially by managers in corporates

Debating about ones view is respected and

encouraged

Managers knows every answer Managers does not have answer for every

question(In general the western culture)

Lack of training in giving Feedback effectsthe way feedback is shared. Generally,

Objective feedback turns to become

Personal Feedback, which brings in the

wrong view that all feedbacks are personal

Straight feedback is a very common thingand people argue to prove their point.(In

general the western culture)

The above two beliefs discourage self

decision and empowerment ability

They are encouraged to take decisions. (In

general the western culture)Less importance on Articulation on the idea

makes even the best idea/view/solution not

viable.

Good Articulation skills.(In general the

western culture)



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Differentiating FactorsIndia Denmark

Children are encouraged to stay with

families all life critical part of culture,

which is very good but limits the

opportunity of taking decisions

independently as it needs to be discussed in

the family.

Children are encouraged/known to grow on

their own after 19 years which brings the

necessity of taking independent decisions.

The non-positive impact is seen when

people need to involve members in a group.

Strong family relations are a very good

support of loyalty to the organization



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Power Distance Index

The distance from employeeto manager

High Employees unlikely to

disagree with orders Paternalistic/autocratic

Management

Low Consultative decision

Easy access to Managers

Equality and critics

Ideal boss is a resourcefuldemocrat



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Individualism Index

The level of individualisticbehavior

High (individualist)

High degree of individualism

Self centered culture Task matters, direct speech

Low (collectivist)

Group think, large families,we

Bonds and society restrains

individualism Group management

Relationship matters



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Masculinity Index

The level of masculinity in society

High (masculine)

Alpha male dominance insociety and values (successand material)

Decisive and assertivemanagers

Fight and conflict

Low (feminine)

Soft, caring is a predominantvalue

People and relationships

Equality between sexes

Intuitive managers



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Uncertainty Avoidance Index

The level of uncertainty avoidance

High

Uncertainty and risk isshunned

Strict rules

Managers have all the answers

Belonging is important

Low

Welfare society ideal

I dont know is accepted

open ended Deviance is accepted

Motivation by achievement



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Tips to help

Indians:1. Speak out and share your view2. There is no personal feedback, it is all about the work. Feedback is always

objective driven.

3. Try to have balance between just executing the job and innovation.

4. You are empowered, realize and remember it .5. Unleash your creativity, use diagrams. 1 Picture = 1000 words

6. Writing 1 time = reading 10 times

Danes:

1. Involve the Indian counterparts in discussion, this enables confidencethat their view matters.



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References

Thanks to Christian Rolin for the Slides about index.

http://www.fyidenmark.com/education-in-Denmark.html

http://www.tradechakra.com/business-culture-india.html

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the organizations view


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Reminder of what we can achieve together


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Questions???


Culture Orientation in - DK

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