![]() Time orientation past/present/future can be mutually respected and shared. Structured time schedules, punctuality, sequential organisation of daily and long-term activities, strict time management are dominant and valued.įlexible time schedule, synchronically organisation of variant activities simultaneously, and minor importance placed on punctuality are markers of this cultural orientation. Decisions are passed up the chain of command and debated, often at great length. Symbols of status and power are minimised. Participation and consensual decision making is highly appreciated. Decisions are centralised and limited to a few persons. Inequalities are accepted, often freely discussed openly outside the organisation responsibilities and obligations are hierarchically structured. Power and influence on ascribed status parameters such as academic degrees, social background, age, position within the organisation etc. Often Power and influence are determined by achievement and by the results of actions and clearly acknowledged. In cultures, which focus on group affiliation (often called collectivist cultures), loyalty to groups and social relationships is more important than individual principles and success. Individual responsibility, individual uniqueness, and freedom of decision are highly appreciated and valued. Individualist cultures promote individual success and self-assertiveness. Western orientation (more individual) vs. This clearly is a generalization but, more often than not, stands the test of difference. When you assess your progress in Asia, your ability to engage effectively, this handy list might be a useful guide and reminder to refer to on measuring your progress and ‘seeing’ why you are often not making the necessary progress you expected or get caught out by surprise. We need to recognise differences and balance them. ![]() In contrast, in Asia, ‘pace’ is determined by several often complex factors that need to be fully appreciated and accounted for. It is crucial to fully appreciate considerable differences between cultures and ways different groups go about their ‘collective’ business.įor instance, in the West, we often fall into the trap of ‘forcing’ the pace. These help you gain a better understanding of why innovation is often seen through different cultural lenses and can produce very different insights and observations that can lead to completely different innovative solutions to meet different cultural needs.ĭilemmas of orientation and management when East meets West. Still, these suggested observations serve as useful generalizations and as a broad reference to refer to, that might help resolve ‘cultural differences. They are structured on cultural aspects well studied, certainly well written about, and discussed with many people trying to figure out the many cultural differences they encounter in dealing with the East or visa-versa, the West, and trying to understand the behaviours behind them these differences.Ĭlearly, not each person can be ‘assigned’ a specific label. These orientations have built up for me in my understanding over this extensive period, living, travelling and working in Asia over many years. Understanding the different orientations accelerate collaborations. They might help you, they certainly have me over the years. These yin-yang aspects do trigger the constant dilemma between Asian and Western thinking, and I thought I should share these orientation opposites with you. Yin and yang are bound together as parts of a mutual whole Opposites thus only exist in relation to each other. I described yin yang as polar opposites or seemingly contrary forces that are interconnected and interdependent in the natural world and how they give rise to each other in turn. ![]() How do you get the balance right in managing the innovation activity, in building the relationships where cooperation is so important to achieve? I recall I wrote one of my first posting entries for this site, entitled “ The Yin and Yang of Innovation” ( ) and talked about the ‘fluidness’ in innovation that makes it hard to manage. It partly shapes your thinking and how you look at things going on in the world. Participating in business and engaging socially with Asia, watching how Asia has evolved has been a real experience that stays with you as something hugely valuable. Often we do not stop and think of the real differences culturally in how we want to0 engage and build relationships between the East and the West Some events today set me thinking that resulted in re-issuing this post, shortening it down a bit. Today less so, but ask me where I want to go, and it is back to my city for twelve plus of those years, Singapore. I lived for about fifteen years in Asia and the before, and in the in-between period, I travelled around the region a fair amount. East and West- the different meeting points in understanding
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