Ethnocentric Tendency of Punjab People

8/13/2019 Ethnocentric Tendency of Punjab People

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INTRODUCTION

"Ethnocentrism" is a commonly used word in circles where ethnicity, inter-ethnic relations, and

similar social issues are of concern. The usual definition of the term is "thinking one's own

group's ways are superior to others" or "judging other groups as inferior to one's own". "Ethnic"refers to cultural heritage, and "centrism" refers to the central starting point... so "ethnocentrism"

basically refers to judging other groups from our own cultural point of view. But even this does

not address the underlying issue of why people do this. Most people, thinking of the shallow

definition, believe that they are not ethnocentric, but are rather "open minded" and "tolerant."

However, as explained below, everyoneis ethnocentric, and there is no way notto be

ethnocentric... it cannot be avoided, nor can it be willed away by a positive or well-meaning

attitude.

Global organizations are those that sell or produce goods and/or services in more than one

country. Toyota Motor Corporation is an ideal example of a global company since its automobile

brands are available throughout the globe. This entrance into the global market requires an

organization to buy and sell internationally as well as set up its operations in foreign nations.

This brings about the task of managing human resources on a global scale which can present

various challenges. Every country has its unique culture and the countrys people also have

different beliefs and attitudes. This poses a challenge to human resource managers of global

organizations. These human resource managers face the same set of challenges as those

managing domestic operations. However, for global managers, the challenges are more difficult

due to the differences in national culture.

The essential difference between human resource management on the international scene and

that on the domestic front is the additional responsibilities and knowledge needed in foreign

operations. Basically, these include language (especially in non-English speaking countries), the

national and local laws and regulations governing the operations of the company within a foreign

country, company incentives and benefits, the countrys currency and exchange rates, and the

ethics and etiquette expected by the foreign business associates (Parry, 1979). Human resources

managers in foreign nations need to understand these differences deeply so as to prevent

embarrassing scenarios and unintentional affronts that would result in scandals and lawsuits that

could cost the multinational corporations they represent.


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There are three management techniques that multinational corporations employ in human

resources management. These are the ethnocentric approach, the polycentric approach, and lastly

the geocentric approach. An ethnocentric approach involves centering management on the home

market. In such a management approach, suggestions from the companys headquarters enjoy

superior consideration compared to those from staff in the foreign branches. The polycentric

approach entails looking at each market uniquely. Here, the local branches management

positions are usually filled by local personnel. The geocentric approach has similarities to the

ethnocentric orientation since it is the headquarters that have the power to hire managers. In this

approach however, the managers are sourced from different areas of the world. The geocentric

approach basically uses merit in employing personnel rather than nationality. This compels the

managers to understand the cultures of the regions they are employed in so as to understand the

attitudes, beliefs, and values of the people (Daniel & Radenbaugh, 2001).

As a manager in a multinational corporation such as Toyota, one will have to manage a much

diversified workforce which has many challenges. A diversified workforce has its advantages

since having people from different cultures interact and share suggestions will lead to varied

perspectives regarding opportunities and threats to the organization. But whenever there are

advantages, disadvantages must exist. The job as a manager is to maximize these advantages and

reduce the corresponding limitations. As a manager, the important thing to note is that the

understanding of every employees unique way of working is required. One can understand this

by learning every employees values, attitudes, and beliefs.

Resource management requires an understanding of the employees personalities and abilities

(Stevenson, 1999). As a manager, one has to focus on the employees abilities, especially every

employees special abilities, since taking advantage of these abilities by structuring the work

process around these abilities will lead to effectiveness and efficiency. This requires a deep

understanding of the Japanese culture. To have a comfortable environment in the workplace, one

needs to respect the culture engulfing almost all the companys employees. Culture is not easily

altered since it has deep roots among members of any society. Hence, as a manager with Toyota

based in Japan, one will need to successfully study the Japanese culture as well as the culture in

the organization so as to make the two compatible. This will be beneficial to the company as it

will incorporate the Toyota corporate culture deep in every member of staff leading to the

development of a positive social environment in the workplace.


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As a manager, one also requires to understand employee behavior in order to gain a better

understanding of their personalities, values, and beliefs. Workers differ in many ways, some are

enthusiastic and more positive because of their personalities and as a manager, one will need to

use communication and interpersonal skills to understand what is important to each employee

and also what motivates them. There is also a need to do constant periodical job satisfaction

surveys so as to provide good working conditions for the employees. Cases involving employees

who lack enthusiasm in their jobs will require one to come up with different means to motivate

these employees such as performance appraisals and pay based on performance.

One also needs to develop good relations with the employees since it is a fact that relationships

are part of human coexistence. The key to develop a good relationship is to have good

communication skills (Hyman, 1983). Lack of good communication in the workplace will work

against the success of the company and as such, the development of an open communication

channel will be required in order to effectively manage the human resources of Toyota Motor

Corporation. Taking the aspect of being employed in Japan by the Toyota Corporation, there are

many cultural factors that require special attention for effective human resource management,

especially considering that the manager is foreign to Japan and its cultural practices.

Compared to the western nations where individualism in the workplace is the normal trend,

Japanese culture contradicts this practice. The traditional team work principle holds great

popularity and is considered to be very effective in Japan. This team work principle essentially

determined the progress of Toyota Japan by making the companys processes extremely

effective. Given that this principle coincides with the way of thinking of the Japanese people, it

has been easily assimilated by the staff (Yasuda, 1991). The enhancement of this teamwork

principle to meet current conditions will thus result in a substantial increase in productivity and

effectiveness from the companys employees. This is very important to the companys progress

and international expansion.

Ethical matters make up the agenda in any organization (Jackson & Schuler, 2008). Being in a

foreign environment, it is necessary as a manager to get a better understanding of ethical matters

in the Japanese culture so as to effectively carry out the duties of a human resources manager. In

order to avoid conflicts due to cultural differences, as a manager in a multinational corporation,

one will be required to develop universal ethical principles to work hand in hand with a universal

corporate culture to be used in all subsidiaries of Toyota no matter their physical location. These


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ethical principles will obviously have to accommodate the Japanese culture in a similar fashion

to the team work principle mentioned earlier. Thus, the result of the integration of universal

ethics principles with the local Japanese culture will provide an autonomous organizational

structure which works in line with the multinational corporations principles. At the same time,

this will develop an organizational culture that meets the requirements of the Japanese personnel.

Gender issues are also an important matter in human resources management. The Japanese

culture has continually embraced the idea of women involvement in the corporate world and as

such, for effective management of human resource, a manager is required to keenly look into

how conducive the working environment is for female staff. Strategies to be employed in order

to make this possible include enabling women to work and raise their children simultaneously,

assisting the women employees build and advance their careers, and also reforming the work

environment and employee awareness regarding gender related issues. Another strategy to

employ with regard to women in the workplace would be the setting up of an on-site child care

facility with a residential nurse. Such a facility will facilitate stress free working for mothers who

have resumed work after maternity leave. This will not only help create a good image of Toyota

to its female workforce but will also assist greatly with the organizations strategy to attract more

women to its workforce.

Language forms a small and yet big issue among cultural issues (Parry, 1979). In Japan for

example, many Japanese are proud of their language and country. However, working for a

multinational corporation like Toyota requires linguistic diversity among the staff for the

company to succeed. As a manager, effective human resource management requires fluency in

the local dialect, Japanese, as well as ensuring that the staff are conversant in both Japanese and

English since being part of a multinational organization, the staff could be sent on assignments in

various regions of the world and this will require people conversant in several languages.

Fluency in Japanese and getting more familiar with Japanese culture will also be beneficial to the

management since it will not only eliminate the culture problem but will also create a positive

image for Toyota among the Japanese since the people will think that the corporation reserves

the jobs for Japanese and only allows foreigners fluent in their language.

One major issue in Japan is the countrys high statistics regarding suicides. This Far East Asian

nation has the highest suicide rate in the world. This is an issue that cannot be looked over by a

human resource manager based in the country. Basic strategies such as job satisfaction surveys,


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mentioned earlier, will be essential to effectively control this issue in Toyota Japan but other

methods need to be employed too. Provision of counseling and support services for the staff is a

strategy I would employ as a manager in the company, with special attention been provided to

employees going through trying circumstances that would push them to extreme psychological

states. This will require development of a good personal relationship between management and

the staff as highlighted previously too. Enhancement of the companys teamwork strategy will

also prove beneficial to this cause since a consensus environment in the workplace will also

create a good relationship among the staff hence enhancing support for one another which is

essential in countering issues like depression which contribute greatly to cases of suicide in

Japan.

Ensuring workplace safety is also important for effective human resource management (Jackson

& Schuler, 2008). This will involve dealing with issues such as drug problems, spirituality,

diversity, and offering employee assistance. This will also help counter the suicide aspect

discussed above as well as enhance good employee relations which will translate into increased

productivity for Toyota Japan. Setting up multiple sets of regulations and policies will be

required to achieve this and this in turn will also require gaining knowledge in Japanese laws so

as to maintain compliance to these regulations and policies with the countrys legislations.

Any multinational corporation faces challenges when people from different cultures interact.

These challenges vary from differences in linguistics which affect communication to differences

in attitudes such as the one highlighted earlier between individualistic driven employees in

western countries such as the US and the popularity of the teamwork strategy in Japan. For

effective management of human resources though, managers need to put extra effort to deal with

these challenges. The only way to ensure this is for the managers to thoroughly learn as much as

they can about the other cultures.


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DATA INTERPRETATION AND ANALYSIS

Age (Years)

Table:

Age (years) No. Of Respondents

15-19 9

20-24 13

25-29 37

30-39 18

40-49 11

50-59 12

60-69 6

70+ 1 3

Graph:

8%

12%

34%17%

10%

11%

5% 3%

15-19 20-24 25-29 30-39 40-49 50-59 60-69 70+ 1


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Education

Table:

Education No Of Respondents

Class 10 19

Class 12+ but not graduate 31

Graduate/post-graduate general 34

Graduate/post-graduate professional 16

Graph:

19%

31%34%

16%

Class 10 Class 12+ but not graduate

Graduate/post-graduate general Graduate/post-graduate professional


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Household income (Rupees/pa)

Table:

Income No of Respondents

0-40000(LC) 3

40,001-80,000(LMC) 5

80,001-1,20000(UMC) 16

1,20,001-1,60,000(UMC) 11

1,60,001-2,50,000(UC) 21

2,50,001-5,00,000(uc) 24

+5,00,000(uc) 20

(LClower class, LMClower middle class, MCmiddle class, UMCupper middle class, UCupper class.)

Graph:

3% 5%

16%

11%

21%

24%

20%

0-40000(LC) 40,001-80,000(LMC) 80,001-1,20000(UMC)

1,20,001-1,60,000(UMC) 1,60,001-2,50,000(UC) 2,50,001-5,00,000(uc)

+5,00,000(uc)


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Country of Origin (COO) Sub-scale

1. A person should always look for country of origin information when buying a product

that has a high risk of malfunctioning, e.g. when buying a watch

Table: 1

Strongly agree 33

Agree 41

Neutral 26

Disagree 0

Strongly disagree 0

Graph: 1

Interpretation: According to 100 respondents 33% of them strongly agree that a person should

always look for country of origin information when buying a product, 41% of them agree that a

person should always look for country of origin information when buying a product and rest 26%

of them are neutral that a person should always look for country of origin information when

buying a product

33%

41%

26%

0%

0%

Strongly agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly disagree


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2. I look for country of origin information to choose the best product available in a product

Class

Table: 2

Strongly agree 27

Agree 52

Neutral 13

Disagree 8

Strongly disagree 0

Graph: 2

Interpretation: From the above graph of 100 Respondents depict that 27% of the them strongly

agree that they look for country of origin information to choose the best product available in a

product Class, 52% of them agreed that they look for country of origin information to choose the

best product available in a product Class, 13% of them are neutral that they look for country of

origin information to choose the best product available in a product Class, 13% of them disagree

that they look for country of origin information to choose the best product available in a product

Class and rest 8% of them strongly disagree that they look for country of origin information to

choose the best product available in a product Class.

27%

52%

13%

8%

0%



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3. I find out a products country of origin to determine the quality of the product

Table: 3

Strongly agree 32

Agree 61

Neutral 7

Disagree 0

Strongly disagree 0

Graph: 3

Interpretation: Out of 100 respondents 32% of them are strongly agree that they find out a

products country of origin to determine the quality of the product, 61% of them are agree that

they find out a products country of origin to determine the quality of the productand rest 7% of

them are neutral that they find out a products country of origin to determine the quality of the

product.

32%

61%

7%

0%

0%



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4. When buying an expensive item such as a car, TV or refrigerator I always seek to find out

what country the product was made in

Table: 4

Strongly agree 25

Agree 48

Neutral 20

Disagree 7

Strongly disagree 0

Graph: 4

Interpretation: According to 100 respondents 25% of them are strongly agree that they buying

an expensive item such as a car, TV or refrigerator they always seek to find out what country the

product was made in, 48% of them are agreed that they buying an expensive item such as a car,

TV or refrigerator they always seek to find out what country the product was made in, 20% of

them are neutral that they buying an expensive item such as a car, TV or refrigerator they always

seek to find out what country the product was made in, and rest 7% of them are disagree that

they buying an expensive item such as a car, TV or refrigerator they always seek to find out what

country the product was made in.

25%

48%

20%

7%

0%



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5. To make sure that I buy the highest quality product or brand, I look to see what country

the product was made in

Table: 5

Strongly agree 21

Agree 48

Neutral 27

Disagree 4

Strongly disagree 0

Graph: 5

Interpretation: From the above graph of 100 respondents 21% of them strongly agree to make

sure that they buy the highest quality product or brand, 48% of them agree to make sure that they

buy the highest quality product or brand, 27% of them are neutral to make sure that they buy the

highest quality product or brand and rest 4% of them disagree to make sure that they buy the

highest quality product or brand.

21%

48%

27%

4%

0%



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6. If I buy a luxury product I always look for products from certain countries

Table: 6

Strongly agree 35

Agree 57

Neutral 8

Disagree 0

Strongly disagree 0

Graph: 6

Interpretation: Out of 100 respondents 35% of them strongly agree that they buy a luxury

product they always look for products from certain countries, 57% of them agree that they buy a

luxury product they always look for products from certain countries and rest 8% of them are

neutral that they buy a luxury product they always look for products from certain countries.

35%

57%

8%0%

0%



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7. For the really expensive items it is crucial that I know which country the product is from

Tale: 7

Strongly agree 31

Agree 57

Neutral 12

Disagree 0

Strongly disagree 0

Graph: 7

Interpretation: From the above graph of 100 respondents 31% of them are strongly agree that

expensive items it is crucial, 57% of them are agree that expensive items it is crucial and rest

12% of them are neutral that expensive items it is crucial.

31%

57%

12%

0% 0%



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Foreign Product Knowledge Sub-scale

8. I know a lot about products from other countries

Strongly agree 27

Agree 45

Neutral 20

Disagree 8

Strongly disagree 0

Graph: 8

Interpretation: According to 100 respondents 27% of them are strongly agree that they know a

lot about products from other countries, 45% of them are agree that they know a lot about

products from other countries, 20% of them are neutral that they know a lot about products from

other countries, and rest 8% of them are disagree that know a lot about products from other

countries.

27%

45%

20%

8%

0%



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9. I do not need assistance when buying foreign products

Table: 9

Strongly agree 29

Agree 43

Neutral 19

Disagree 9

Strongly disagree 0

Graph: 9

Interpretation: Out of 100 Respondents29% of them are strongly agree that they do not need

assistance when buying foreign products, 43% of them agree that they do not need assistance

when buying foreign products, 19% of them neutral that they do not need assistance when

buying foreign products, their pay is better and rest 9% of them are disagree that they do not

need assistance when buying foreign products.

29%

43%

19%

9%

0%



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10. I am never confused when buying products that are made from other countries

Table: 10

Strongly Agree 17

Agree 49

Neutral 22

Disagree 5

Strongly Disagree 7

Graph: 10

Interpretation: From the above graph of 100 Respondents17% of them are strongly agree that

they are never confused when buying products that are made from other countries, 49% of them

are agree that they are never confused when buying products that are made from other countries,

22% of them are neutral that they are never confused when buying products that are made from

other countries, 5% of them are disagree that they are never confused when buying products that

are made from other countries and rest 7% of them are strongly disagree that they are never

confused when buying products that are made from other countries.

17%

49%

22%

5%7%

Strongly Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly D isagree


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Ethnocentrism Sub-scale

11. Purchasing products from other countries is un-Indian

Table: 11

Strongly Agree 17

Agree 45

Neutral 22

Disagree 10

Strongly Disagree 6

Graph: 11

Interpretation: According to 100 Respondents17% of them are strongly agree that Purchasing

products from other countries is un-Indian, 45% of them are agreed that Purchasing products

from other countries is un-Indian, 22% of them are neutral that Purchasing products from other

countries is un-Indian, 10% of them are disagree that Purchasing products from other countries is

un-Indian and rest 6% of them are strongly disagree that Purchasing products from other

countries is un-Indian.

17%

45%

22%

10%6%

Strongly Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree


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12. It is not right to purchase products from other countries because it puts Indian people out

of jobs

Table: 12

Strongly

disagree

disagree Neutral agree Strongly agree

7 15 31 12 35

Graph: 12

Interpretation: From the above graph of 100 Respondentsdepict that 7% of them are strongly

agree that It is not right to purchase products from other countries because it puts Indian people

out of jobs, 15% of them say that It is not right to purchase products from other countries

because it puts Indian people outof jobs, 31% of them are neutral that It is not right to purchase

products from other countries because it puts Indian people outof jobs, 12% of them are agree

that It is not right to purchase products from other countries because it puts Indian people out

of jobs and rest 35% of them are disagree that It is not right to purchase products from other

countries because it puts Indian people outof jobs.

7%

15%

31%12%

35%

Strongly disagree disagree Neutral agree Strongly agree


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13. We should purchase products manufactured in India instead of letting other countries get

rich from us

Table: 13


3 24 15 28 30

Graph: 13

Interpretation: Out of 100 Respondents3% of them strongly agree that they should purchase

products manufactured in India instead of letting other countries get rich from us, 24% orf them

agree that they should purchase products manufactured in India instead of letting other countries

get rich from us, 15% of them are neutral that they should purchase products manufactured in

India instead of letting other countries get rich from us, 28% of them agree that they should

purchase products manufactured in India instead of letting other countries get rich from us and

rest 30% of them are strongly disagree that they should purchase products manufactured in India

instead of letting other countries get rich from us.

3%

24%

15%

28%

30%



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14. Indian people should not buy products from other countries because it hurts Indian business

and causes unemployment

Table: 14

Strongly agree agree Neutral disagree Strongly

disagree

43 27 15 10 5

Graph: 14

Interpretation: According to 100 Respondents43% of them strongly agree that Indian people

should not buy products from other countries because it hurts Indian business and causes

unemployment, 27% of them agree that Indian people should not buy products from other

countries because it hurts Indian business and causes unemployment, 10% of them disagree that

Indian people should not buy products from other countries because it hurts Indian business

and causes unemploymentand rest 5% of them strongly disagree that Indian people should not

buy products from other countries because it hurts Indian business and causes unemployment.

43%

27%

15%

10% 5%

Strongly agree agree Neutral disagree Strongly disagree


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15. I will buy only Indian products

Table: 15


disagree

29 37 20 12 2

Graph: 15

Interpretation: From the above graph of 100 Respondentsdepict that 29% of them strongly

agree that they will buy only Indian products, 37% of them agree that they will buy only Indian

products, 20% of them are neutral that they will buy only Indian products, 12% of them disagree

that they will buy only Indian products and rest 2% of them strongly disagree that they will buy

only Indian products.

29%

37%

20%

12%

2%



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16. Only those products not made in India should be imported

Table: 16


21 37 33 9 0

Graph: 16

Interpretation: Out of 100 Respondents21% of them are strongly agree that only those products

not made in India should be imported, 37% of them are agree that only those products not made

in India should be imported, 33% of them are neutral that only those products not made in India

should be importedthat only those products not made in India should be importedand rest 9% of

them are disagree that only those products not made in India should be imported.

21%

37%

33%

9%

0%



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Purchase Intention Sub-scale

17. Compared with my friends, I intend to purchase more products from other countries

Table: 17

Strongly

agree

Agree Neutral disagree Strongly

disagree

39 42 19 0 0

Graph: 17

Interpretation: According to 100 Respondents39% of them strongly agree when they Compared

with friends, they intend to purchase more products from other countries, 42% of them agree

when they Compared with friends, they intend to purchase more products from other countries

and rest 19% of them are when they Compared with friends, they intend to purchase more

products from other countries.

39%

42%

19%

0%

0%

Strongly agree Agree Neutral disagree Strongly disagree


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18. I will buy many products from other countries this year

Table: 18

Strongly

agree

agree Neutral disagree Strongly

disagree

46 37 17 0 0

Graph: 18

Interpretation: From the above graph of 100 Respondents depict that 46% are strongly agree

that they will buy many products from other countries this year, 37% are agree that they will buy

many products from other countries this year and rest 17% are neutral that they will buy many

products from other countries this year.

46%

37%

17%

0% 0%



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19. I feel happy buying foreign goods

Table: 19


disagree

29 32 39 0 0

Graph: 19

Interpretation: Out of 100 Respondents29% are strongly agree that they feel happy buying

foreign goods, 32% are agree that they feel happy buying foreign goods and rest 39% are neutral

that they feel happy buying foreign goods.

29%

32%

39%

0%0%



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20. For me, there is a certain excitement about shopping for things from other countries

Table: 20


19 37 29 9 6

Graph: 20

Interpretation: According to 100 Respondents19% of them are strongly agree that there is a

certain excitement about shopping for things from other countries, 37% of them are agree that

there is a certain excitement about shopping for things from other countries, 29% of thm are

neutral that there is a certain excitement about shopping for things from other countries, 9% of

them are disagree that there is a certain excitement about shopping for things from other

countries and rest 6% of them are strongly disagree that there is a certain excitement about

shopping for things from other countries.

19%

37%

29%

9%6%



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ETHNOCENTRIC TENDENCY OF PUNJAB PEOPLE

Name: ______________________________________

Age (Years)

15-19 20-24 25-29 30-39 40-49

50-59 60-69 70+ 1

Education

Class 10 Class 12+ but not graduate Graduate/post-graduate general

Graduate/post-graduate professional

Household income (Rupees/pa)

0-40000(LC) 40,001-80,000(LMC) 80,001-1,20000(UMC)

1,20,001-1,60,000(UMC) 1,60,001-2,50,000(UC) 2,50,001-5,00,000(uc)

+5,00,000(uc)

(LClower class, LMClower middle class, MCmiddle class, UMCupper middle class, UCupper class.)

Country of Origin (COO) Sub-scale

1. A person should always look for country of origin information when buying a product

that has a high risk of malfunctioning, e.g. when buying a watch


2. I look for country of origin information to choose the best product available in a product

class



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3. I find out a products country of origin to determine the quality of the product


4. When buying an expensive item such as a car, TV or refrigerator I always seek to find out

what country the product was made in


5. To make sure that I buy the highest quality product or brand, I look to see what country

the product was made in


6. If I buy a luxury product I always look for products from certain countries


7. For the really expensive items it is crucial that I know which country the product is from


Foreign Product Knowledge Sub-scale

8. I know a lot about products from other countries


9. I do not need assistance when buying foreign products


10. I am never confused when buying products that are made from other countries



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Ethnocentrism Sub-scale

11. Purchasing products from other countries is un-Indian


12. It is not right to purchase products from other countries because it puts Indian people out

of jobs


13. We should purchase products manufactured in India instead of letting other countries get

rich from us


14. Indian people should not buy products from other countries because it hurts Indian business

and causes unemployment


15. I will buy only Indian products


16. Only those products not made in India should be imported


Purchase Intention Sub-scale17. Compared with my friends, I intend to purchase more products from other countries



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18. I will buy many products from other countries this year


19. I feel happy buying foreign goods


20. For me, there is a certain excitement about shopping for things from other countries


Ethnocentric Tendency of Punjab People

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