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_Time across Cultures_

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17 views

_Time across Cultures_

Uploaded by

8wjwjgh2z4
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 15

Time across Cultures

Warm Up

1. In the United States, the expression “timing


is everything” means that the most important
factor for success is often not what is done,
but when something is done. Do you agree
with this expression? Why or why not?

2. Are you careful about how you use time? Do


you try to make schedules for yourself? Do
you stick to them?

3. Are you concerned about getting to class,


work, or appointments on time? In your
culture, how important is it to be on time and
not late for appointments and meetings?
Case Study
Reviewing the Case
Answer the following questions and
share your answers with a partner:

Why did the Italian manufacturing


company hire the Swiss engineering
company?

How many phases did the plan have


that the companies agreed on? In what
phase would they decide on the Italian
company’s software needs?

Was language a problem in their


meetings?

What were some of the problems the


two teams had with each other?
Complete the following chart.
Answer the following questions and share your answers with a
partner.
1. Why do you think the Italian team often changed their software
plans?
2. Why do you think the Italian team missed the deadlines?
3. Why do you think the Swiss team refused the Italian team’s new
ideas?
4. Why do you think the Swiss team required ixed deadlines?
Problem Solving: information Gap
The Italian and the Swiss teams
have asked you and your piers
to help them with their time
management problems.

You will read information about


these cultures that will help you
with your solutions.

Divide the class into two groups:


A and B.
Group A reads the Italian
cultural information. Group B
reads the Swiss cultural
information.
After reading the information,
complete your part of the
following chart. Next, ind a
partner from the other group
and ask questions to complete
the chart.
Discussion
Go back to your groups, look at the completed chart, and discuss the
following:

1. Now that you have more information about both cultures, do you
want to change any of your answers from Making Inferences task?
Discuss your changes, if any.

2. What difference between the two teams has the most serious effect on
this project?

3. The following are four possible solutions. Which of the four do you
like best? Or, come up with a solution of your own. Consider the
following issues as you make your decision:
Quality of the product
Financial cost of the solution
Amount of time needed for the solution
Further international business opportunities
Feasibility (is it really possible?)
Discussion
What are the positive and negative consequences of each solution? Why is the solution you have chosen
the best? Discuss your answers in groups.

a. The Italian company decided that it would be easier to have another Italian company complete the
project rather than continue to work with the Swiss company. It found an Italian software and
engineering company whose credentials were good although not as good as those of the Swiss software
company.

b. The Italian company agreed to never modify the plans and to meet all deadlines. In other words, they
would adopt the Swiss company’s business practices.

c. The Italian and Swiss teams decided to live for a short period of time in each other’s countries. In this
way, they could learn to appreciate the time value differences in each country and learn more about
each other’s cultures.

d. The Swiss company agreed to forget the deadlines and be more lexible with the original
speci ications. In other words, they would adopt the Italian company’s business practices.

e. Your own solution.

Read the actual solution (see next page). Why do you think the companies chose this solution? Do you
think a short period of time is enough to gain an understanding of a foreign culture?
Actual Solution

Written Re lection
As you can see, in the actual solution to the case, the two companies planned to
continue working together once they had learned about each other's time
management styles. To what extent do you think the two companies had to adapt to
each other's cultures?

Write a time management plan for the companies to follow when working together.
Your plan must include compromises between the Italian and Swiss time
management styles. To help you organize your plan, review the issues in the chart
above. When you have inished, share your plan with the class.
Video

- Watching video
Perceiving Time across Monochronic and
Polychronic Culture
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BgE3lvYKQ28

- Working with the text


Around the world. Company time

One more way to look at time is to divide it into two categories: company time and
personal time.

Company time is the time you spend at work or doing work-related activities, such as
reviewing a report at home or going to an of ice cocktail party in the evening to
socialize with co-workers. It is the time given to the good of the company. Personal
time is the time you spend with family or friends. It is the time you have to yourself.

Every culture and individual balances these two types of time differently. In some
cultures, company time is often more valued than personal time. This means that
when life gets busy, personal time will be sacri iced for company needs. In many
other cultures, personal time can take priority and company time may be sacri iced to
meet the needs of friends and family.
Around the world. Company time
Around the world. Company time

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