Riding the Waves of Culture, Fourth Edition: Understanding Diversity in Global Business

by Fons Trompenaars, Charles Hampden-Turner

The bestselling guide to leading effectively in a global business environment―now updated to address radical changes in politics, society, economics and tech There’s so much more to the role of culture in business than etiquette and local customs. Recognizing its importance―and providing a clear-eyed look at how it works in real-life scenarios―is why Riding the Waves of Culture became essential reading when it was first published in 1997. While knowledge of customs and etiquette can help you avoid gaffes in other locales, it doesn’t explain why pay-for-performance works some places but not in others. Or how organizational methods that don’t “fit” locally will slowly and silently break down―even if there was no pushback from the local managers or employees. Riding the Waves of Culture, Fourth Edition retains its in-depth exploration of the underlying cultural frameworks that affect leadership, effectiveness and innovation across cultures. With new information and evidence-based insights on critical business matters, it offers insight on the effects of immigration, generational differences to the development of multi-cultural societies, and more. Also new in this access links to more information and online tools―including country culture scores for research purposes. The most thoroughly researched and highly respected resource of its kind, Riding the Waves of Culture does more than help you stay afloat in today’s diverse work environment; it provides the knowledge you need to seize the advantage and compete for the long run.

Genres: Business

432 pages, Hardcover

Published December 10, 2020

Reviews

[Kevin Parkinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The authors developed two fantastic models that they present in this book:

(1) First, they have seven dimensions of culture that are AWESOME for understanding the differences between how people view the world. They present it strictly in the international business sense (for example, how meetings can go astray if they include one person from America and another person from Japan). But, I find the model helpful in explaining any cultural differences between any two people (even beyond the business sense, and even domestically). My wife and I are both white, able-bodied people from middle/upper-class families in the United States, but we still see the world in vastly different ways, and this book helps explain some of the differences.

(2) Equally as importantly, they stress that it isn't enough to just understand the differences. That alone can actually lead to MORE prejudice. For example, "Ugh! Now I see why the French are so dumb! They view things as XYZ." Instead, they present a model that I need your differences and you need mine. It's a very asset-based approach. Don't judge people for approaching the world differently than you do, and - in fact - seek out those differences to balance yourself out and learn.

[Natalie]

Required reading for HOL 6747