Cultural Study Report - South Korea
Intercultural Business Communication
2011
Abstract
This report has reviewed the culture of Korea by using Hofstede‟s five dimensions of national culture (1997). Culture is defined and critique of the five dimensions is discussed, followed by the analysis of Korea culture that shows significant contrasting cultural values with Western countries. Moreover, stereotypes of Korea seem related to the power distance and collectivism culture, deriving the strong bond in nationalism and respect to seniority. Regarding interpersonal communication, interaction is more indirect and passive with silence, which is perceived in four meanings: truthfulness, social discretion, embarrassment, and defiance. Non-verbal in particular plays its important role when communicating with Korean. Recommendations are given to student who might want to go to Korea for placement or working experience after graduation.
2
Case Study Report on South Korea
Intercultural Business Communication
2011
Table of Contents
1 Introduction 1.1 Background information of Korea 4 5
2
Literature review 2.1 2.2 2.3 Cross Country Culture Cultural Dimensions The GLOBE Project
6 7 8 10
3
Analysis of culture in Korea 3.1 Geert Hofstede‟s Five Dimensions of National Culture
11
4
Stereotypes of the culture of Korea 4.1 4.2 Unified Nation and Sports Culture Obsession of respecting the senior?
14 14 16
5
Interpersonal Communication 5.1 5.2 Verbal communication Non-verbal communication
17 17 18
6
Conclusion
20
7
Recommendations
21
8
References
3 Case Study Report on South Korea
22
Intercultural Business Communication
2011
1.
INTRODUCTION
The world is becoming a global market for rising and emerging
businesses, more and more enterprises (e.g. HSBC, IBM, Coca-Cola etc.) expand their business to foreign countries or spread over into the other continents (e.g. Asia). Employees are given more opportunities to work overseas
2011
Abstract
This report has reviewed the culture of Korea by using Hofstede‟s five dimensions of national culture (1997). Culture is defined and critique of the five dimensions is discussed, followed by the analysis of Korea culture that shows significant contrasting cultural values with Western countries. Moreover, stereotypes of Korea seem related to the power distance and collectivism culture, deriving the strong bond in nationalism and respect to seniority. Regarding interpersonal communication, interaction is more indirect and passive with silence, which is perceived in four meanings: truthfulness, social discretion, embarrassment, and defiance. Non-verbal in particular plays its important role when communicating with Korean. Recommendations are given to student who might want to go to Korea for placement or working experience after graduation.
2
Case Study Report on South Korea
Intercultural Business Communication
2011
Table of Contents
1 Introduction 1.1 Background information of Korea 4 5
2
Literature review 2.1 2.2 2.3 Cross Country Culture Cultural Dimensions The GLOBE Project
6 7 8 10
3
Analysis of culture in Korea 3.1 Geert Hofstede‟s Five Dimensions of National Culture
11
4
Stereotypes of the culture of Korea 4.1 4.2 Unified Nation and Sports Culture Obsession of respecting the senior?
14 14 16
5
Interpersonal Communication 5.1 5.2 Verbal communication Non-verbal communication
17 17 18
6
Conclusion
20
7
Recommendations
21
8
References
3 Case Study Report on South Korea
22
Intercultural Business Communication
2011
1.
INTRODUCTION
The world is becoming a global market for rising and emerging
businesses, more and more enterprises (e.g. HSBC, IBM, Coca-Cola etc.) expand their business to foreign countries or spread over into the other continents (e.g. Asia). Employees are given more opportunities to work overseas
Citations: and Replications‟, Organization Studies 15(3), 447–456. Trompenaars, F & Hampden-Turner, C (1997) Riding the Waves fo Culture Understanding Cultural Diversity in Business. 2nd ed. Finland: Nicholas Brealey. Williamson, D (2002) Forward from a critique of Hofstede 's model of national culture. Human Relations. 55 (11) 1373 Wiermann et al,(1986) In Gudykunst, William B. (2004) Bridging Differences: Effective Intergroup Communication. London: Sage Publications. zKorean - Korean Customs - Repect (1997) zKorean, http://www.zkorean.com/about_korea/korean_customs/respect accessed: 2nd January, 2011 Available: Last 24 Case Study Report on South Korea