Self Assessment

Cultural Dimensions Self-Assessment

Directions: Keeping in mind the cultural dimensions from the readings, describe in a few sentences what is happening in each scenario. Type your answers in the boxes and click the Check Answer buttons to see your answers compared to model answers.

Question 1

At a Japanese office, the American supervisor is conducting a performance evaluation with Takama, a Japanese subordinate. Takama is reluctant to analyze his own performance and even downplays his achievements. When questioned directly about how he thinks he performed this year, Takama answers simply: “I’ve learned a lot this year.”Question 1 options:

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Question 2

Anna’s German boss notices that Anna is continually working late and even comes to work on weekends occasionally. He comments on this to Anna a couple of times. Anna thinks her boss is pleased with the effort she is putting into her work and is surprised to discover that her extra hours were noted on her performance evaluation as a negative and as evidence that she is not looking after her own needs.Question 2 options:

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Question 3

Philip attends a business meeting in Brazil with a possible partner for his firm. When entering the office, Philip is shown to the meeting room, where a long table and various seats are arranged. Philip sits at the head of the table, so that he can see everyone seated around him. When the Brazilians observe this, they are surprised and uncomfortable. They expected Philip to leave this position for the CEO of the company.