Globe Table Assignment

This assignment allows you to demonstrate mastery of course outcome:

1. analyze the different cultures and worldviews that inform human thinking and actions, and respond constructively to human and global differences in workplaces, communities, and organizations

Create a table that compares two societal cultures on the nine dimensions of culture identified by the GLOBE project. Depending on the countries you choose, you may need to do more research. Your table should have three columns, one with the nine dimensions, one with the first country, and one with the second country. Your table should include the scores and an explanation of what the scores mean. 

Following is an example of comparing one dimension between Germany and China:

Dimension

Germany

China

Assertiveness

• GLOBE scores: West 4.55 & East 4.73
• Highest 25% GLOBE study
• Work relationships are to the point and strict
• GLOBE score: 3.76
• Moderate range score
• Indirect approach to communication

Background and Summary of GLOBE

The Wharton Business School of the University of Pennsylvania was the home of the GLOBE Research Project, which investigated variations in business leadership worldwide.  GLOBE comprised 170 researchers in 62 societies over 11 years.  The research team’s stated objective was… 
 

To determine the extent to which the practices and values of business leadership are universal (i.e., are similar globally), and the extent to which they are specific to just a few societies.

The team is attained this objective.  GLOBE’s findings present to us all a breakthrough in our ability to think about business leadership in a way that is accurate, action-oriented, and – most importantly – genuinely global.  
 

Any organization that devotes resources to developing global leaders now has within its grasp the data and the guideposts to accomplish this critical goal.  It’s now possible with unprecedented confidence to assess, develop, and measure top leadership talent in a way that captures the full meaning of “global.”

The first report from the GLOBE team was an 818-page book by R.J. House et al., Culture, Leadership, and Organizations,  published by Sage in 2004; this précis addresses the 2004 publication only.  A second report of the GLOBE team was published in 2007 (note).  A third report is in press.  The other three articles at Grovewell.com/GLOBE (total 8,500 words) provide all those responsible for leadership development with an overview and interpretation of the findings reported in 2004.

The first question addressed by the team was which measurement standards (“independent variables”) to use to be precise about the similarities and differences among various societal and organizational cultures. Their efforts yielded nine “cultural dimensions” that serve as their standard of measurement. 
 

Performance Orientation

Uncertainty Avoidance

Humane Orientation

Institutional Collectivism

In-Group Collectivism

Assertiveness

Gender Egalitarianism

Future Orientation

Power Distance