Cultural Profile free essay sample

Country Cultural Profile: Arab Republic of Egypt Abstract The purpose of this study is to determine the cultural structures, variables and behaviors of the society in the Arab Republic of Egypt located in Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Libya and the Gaza Strip, and the Red Sea north of Sudan, and include the Asian Sinai Peninsula. The development of this analysis is based on the understanding of the characteristics and variables of the Egyptian culture. Section 1 – People Relationships 1. 1. Universalism versus Particularism Universalism is the degree to which people believe that various ideas and practices can be effective in all circumstances. People who are high in universalism believe they can develop rules and standards that can be reasonably applied to everyone in every situation. They tend to use contracts, formal systems, and procedures to convey what they expect from others. People who are low in universalism (i. e. , high in particularism) develop their expectations of others based on their personal relationships with them and their trust in them rather than on rules. When negotiating deals, people from highly particularistic cultures will want to develop a relationship with the other party before having substantive discussions toward making an agreement. People from highly universalistic cultures are prepared to proceed with substantive discussions much more quickly, but then expect to document their agreement with an enforceable contract. Because of their universalist approach, in a business situation Americans will want to rely on a contract to communicate the terms of an agreement and to define the relationship between the parties. Strong universalist cultures use the court to mediate conflicts. Therefore Americans have much more lawyers per citizen than any other country. The more universal a country is, the greater is the need to protect the truth. International operating businesses think more likely in an universalistic way. Egypt is a particularistic culture where people look at relationships and circumstances in a specific situation to decide what is right. For the Egyptian, the legal contract communicates a starting point for an agreement. As circumstances change so too should the terms of the agreement. For the Egyptian, the situation and the particular individuals involved are what define relationship. 1. 2. Individualism versus Collectivism Individualism focuses on the degree the society reinforces individual or collective, achievement and interpersonal relationships. A high individualism ranking indicates that individuality and individual rights are paramount within the society. Individuals in these societies may tend to form a larger number of looser relationships. A low individualism ranking typifies societies of a more collectivist nature with close ties between individuals. These cultures reinforce extended families and collectives where everyone takes responsibility for fellow members of their group. The lowest Hofstede dimension for the Arab World, including Egypt, is the individualism, compared to a world average ranking. This translates into a collectivist society as compared to individualist culture and is manifested in a close long-term commitment to the member group, that being a family, extended family, or extended relationships. Loyalty in a collectivist culture is paramount, and over-rides most other societal rules. 1. 3. Neutral versus Emotional In highly affective cultures, people tend to openly express their feelings. In highly neutral cultures, emotions are not expressed as openly and naturally. People from highly affective cultures are more likely to smile, talk loudly when excited, and greet each other enthusiastically. People from highly neutral cultures experience the same emotions, but are less inclined to express them, and they express them more subtly. Implications for behavior in the workplace include how demonstrative people are when showing appreciation and affection for each other and when celebrating successes. Egypt is an example of affective, emotional culture. 1. 4. Specific versus Diffuse In specific cultures, the whole is the sum of its parts. Each persons life is divided into many components: you can only enter one at a time. Interactions between people are highly purposeful and well-defined. The public sphere of specific individuals is much larger than their private sphere. People are easily accepted into the public sphere, but it is very difficult to get into the private sphere, since each area in which two people encounter each other is considered separate from the other, a specific case. Specific individuals concentrate on hard facts, standards, and contracts. People from diffusely oriented cultures start with the whole and see each element in perspective of the total. All elements are related to each other. These relationships are more important than each separate element; so the whole is more than just the sum of its elements. Diffuse individuals have a large private sphere and a small public one. Newcomers are not easily accepted into either. But once they have been accepted, they are admitted into all layers of the individuals life. A friend is a friend in all respects: tennis, cooking, work, etc. The various roles someone might play in your life are not separated. Qualities cherished by diffuse cultures include style, demeanor, ambiance, trust, understanding, etc. Egypt is an example of diffusely oriented culture. 1. 5. Achievement versus Ascription In highly achievement-oriented cultures, social status is largely derived from a persons achievements. In highly ascription-oriented cultures, social status is largely derived from personal attributes such as age, experience, social connections, or gender. In organizations, a persons status is reflected in his or her privileges such as access to resources and perks, deferential treatment, and input in decision making. The U. S. A. is an example of highly achievement-oriented culture. Egypt is an example of highly ascription-oriented culture. 1. 6. High versus Low Context The high versus low-context dimension of culture relates to norms of communication. In low-context countries, communication relies more heavily on the literal meaning of the words used. Meanings of written and spoken communication are more explicit. To people from high-context cultures, the bluntness and directness of low-context communication styles can seem insulting or aggressive. In high-context cultures, much more of the context surrounding the written or spoken communication is involved in conveying the message. Factors such as the social status of the communicators and the nature of the relationship between them are key. The meaning of everything said in high-context communication has to be interpreted in the context of the social relationship between the individuals. The U. S. A. is an example of low-context country. Egypt is an example of high-context country. . 7. Inductive versus Deductive In cultures with an inductive thinking style, people go from the specific to the general. They arrive at a theory or model only after amassing facts through experimentation and observation. People in cultures with a deductive thinking style are comfortable with abstractions. In an argument, discussion or written presentation, they p refer to go from the general to the specific and to deduce facts from general principles. Americans tend to be highly inductive. Egyptians tend to be highly deductive. 1. 8. Large Power Distance versus Small Power Distance Power distance index focuses on the degree of equality, or inequality, between people in the countrys society. A large power distance ranking indicates that inequalities of power and wealth have been allowed to grow within the society. These societies are more likely to follow a caste system that does not allow significant upward mobility of its citizens. A small power distance ranking indicates the society de-emphasizes the differences between citizens power and wealth. In these societies equality and opportunity for everyone is stressed. Large power distance is a characteristic for Egypt. This indicates that it is expected and accepted that leaders separate themselves from the group and issue complete and specific directives. The society is more likely to follow a caste system that does not allow significant upward mobility of its citizens. They are also highly rule-oriented with laws, rules, regulations, and controls in order to reduce the amount of uncertainty, while inequalities of power and wealth have been allowed to grow within the society. The high power distance ranking is indicative of a high level of inequality of power and wealth within the society. These populations have an expectation and acceptance that leaders will separate themselves from the group and this condition is not necessarily subverted upon the population, but rather accepted by the society as their cultural heritage. 1. 9. Masculinity versus Femininity This dimension pertains to the degree societies reinforce, or do not reinforce, the traditional masculine work role model of male achievement, control, and power. In essence it looks at the degree to which masculine values like competitiveness and the acquisition of wealth are valued over feminine’ values like relationship building and quality of life. In many cultures with a low masculinity rating, it is noticed that they also have low gender equality. The terms relate to nurturing (feminine) versus assertive (masculine) behaviors and ideals. The U. S. A. is an example of ‘masculine’ culture. Egypt is considered a ‘feminine’ culture. 1. 10. Strong Uncertainty Avoidance versus Weak Uncertainty Avoidance Uncertainty avoidance index focuses on the level of tolerance for uncertainty and ambiguity within the society i. e. unstructured situations. A high uncertainty avoidance ranking indicates the country has a low tolerance for uncertainty and ambiguity. A low uncertainty avoidance ranking indicates the country has less concern about ambiguity and uncertainty and has more tolerance for a variety of opinions. This is reflected in a society that is less rule-oriented, more readily accepts change, and takes more and greater risks. Strong uncertainty avoidance is the predominant characteristics for Egypt. The society is highly rule-oriented with laws, rules, regulations, and controls in order to reduce the amount of uncertainty, while inequalities of power and wealth have been allowed to grow within the society. The society does not readily accept change and is very risk adverse. When strong uncertainty avoidance is combined with large power distance, it creates a situation where leaders have virtually ultimate power and authority, and the rules, laws and regulations developed by those in power reinforce their own leadership and control. It is not unusual for new leadership to arise from armed insurrection – the ultimate power, rather than from diplomatic or democratic change. 1. 11. Doing versus Being Americans are doers. Americans believe that they can achieve just about nything if we just ‘do’ enough (which generally means setting goals, making a plan and enacting every step of it with perseverance and dedication). People are evaluated by what they do and they are valued for their results. Other cultures also value ‘doing’, but, along a spectrum, not quite so highly. They leave more space for the role of ‘being’. ‘Who they are’ is often something people cannot ‘do’ anything about (from caste systems of various types to being European). This is the base of in-group, out-group systems. Americans join groups (as an individual) and leave them at will. In other cultures, people often simple ‘are’ part of a group that you cannot join nor leave (even if you really want to and work really hard at it with perseverance and dedication). The value of ‘being’ is predominant in the Egyptian society. 1. 12. Human Nature Trustworthy versus Not Trustworthy Human nature trustworthiness levels measure the degree people can be trusted or not trusted until proved otherwise. Egyptians can be considered trustworthy. They value personal relationships in a deep degree. A typical true example is the case of an expatriate loosing his wallet in a cab. A few hours later the expatriate would receive a call from the Egyptian who found his wallet with an invitation to go to his home to pick it up. The expatriate would then meet the whole Egyptian family and be invited to socialize with them. 1. 13. Individual in Control versus Fate in Control Some people believe that individuals can decide their own destiny, while others think that it is impossible to escape a predetermined fate. Egyptians strongly believe that fate in control. Events may change at ‘the will of Allah’. Such fatalism culture avoids change and slows down progress. Section 2 – Environment Relationships . 1. Control it - In Harmony - Controlled By The environment relationship with the people is measured with the degree by which it is controlled. The environment has enormous power in people’s lives in Egypt. Not only the mass of Egyptians, but even the fate of rulers and the elite have been subjects of the Nile Valley. Section 3 – Time Rel ationships 3. 1. Monochronic versus Polychronic Monochronic time is one-track linear: people do one thing at a time. Polychronic time is multi-track circular; it allows many things to happen simultaneously, with no particular end in sight. Monochronic time is tightly compartmentalized: schedules are almost sacred. Polychronic time is open-ended: completing the task or communication is more important than adhering to a schedule. People from polychronic and monochronic cultures have the same difficulties adjusting to one another as people from high-context and low-context cultures. In fact, polychronic time is characteristic of high-context people and monochronic time is characteristic of low-context people. Monochronic people tend to sequence communications as well as tasks. They would not be inclined, for instance, to interrupt a phone conversation in order to greet a third person. Polychronic people can carry on multiple conversations simultaneously indeed, they would consider it rude not to do so. The U. S. A. tend t have a monochronic view of time. Egypt is categorized as a polychromic culture. Egyptians consider time commitments an objective to be achieved only if possible, at the will of Allah. They are more concerned with relations (family, friends, close business associates) than with privacy. They change plans often and easily. . 2. Short-term Oriented versus Long-term Oriented Long-term orientation focuses on the degree the society embraces, or does not embrace long-term devotion to traditional, forward thinking values. High long-term orientation ranking indicates the country prescribes to the values of long-term commitments and respect for tradition. This is thought to support a strong work ethic where long-term rewards are expected as a resu lt of todays hard work. However, business may take longer to develop in this society, particularly for an ‘outsider’. A short-term orientation indicates that change can occur more rapidly as long-term traditions and commitments do not become impediments to change. Cultures differ in the emphasis that they place on the past, present, and future. North American countries tend to focus more on the present and the immediate future than other countries do. Most European countries have a more balanced focus on past, present and future. Many Asian countries focus heavily on what North Americans would consider the distant future. The implications of differing emphases on past, present and future may be most apparent in planning. North American managers primarily focus on achieving results within five years. Their long-term plans cover 5-10 years. In addition, employees hired in North America normally have from a few weeks to a couple of years to prove that theyll be successful. Employees who are unsuccessful in that time frame are normally asked to find another job or simply fired. In contrast, Japanese firms are more likely to hire employees with the intention of having a life-long employee. Egypt is considered to be in the long-term oriented ranking. Section 4 – Space Relationships 4. . Speakers Distance: Small - Medium - Large Speakers distance relates to the interpersonal space between communicators. In low-context cultures, people tend to be uncomfortable standing closer than three feet from each other when conversing. In high-context cultures, people tend to stand relatively close when conversing. They perceive a distance of three feet between communicators as something that interferes with thei r communication, and they will tend to step closer in order to be more comfortable. Egypt is considered to have a small speaker’s distance. A range of three inches is the norm in Arab countries. 4. 2. Private Space: Small - Large Private space relates to the distance perceived around personal possessions. One thing that is very common in Egypt is the idea of public versus private. It is the idea of how much should be shared with others and how much should be kept private. The problem in Egypt is that this division of public and private is reflected in almost all aspects of daily lives including homes. It is very common to live in an apartment that has two doors, one for the family members and one for guests. This is done because there is a desire to present an image to any guests coming in which may not be the most convenient or even functional for everyday use. The family entrance is very plain and simple, but the guest entrance may have a fancy chandelier and decorations. This part of the house almost looks too perfect, like something out of a magazine which suggests that in Egypt there is the need to lead or at least to appear to be leading perfect lives. The same is true of how much space is dedicated to everyday use and how much space is dedicated to guest use. It is fair to say that in most houses in Egypt up to half the space is kept aside for guests. This usually means that 5 or 6 family members would be crammed up in a small space so that guests would get the impression that the house is spacious with plenty of room. Of course how much space there is and how that space is furnished is a reflection of wealth. This seems to be an important issue in Egypt because of the large disparity between the social classes. Egypt is formed from a very large lower class, a slightly smaller upper class and a very small middle class. People who have some degree of wealth do not want to be mistaken for anything less than what they are, and people who have little but aspire for more, use the presentation of their homes as a means of social upward mobility. Section 5 – Visible Manifestations 5. 1. Symbols Language is one of the symbols of a culture. Arabic is the current national language of  Egypt and it is spoken throughout the Middle East and North Africa. Broadly speaking there are two kinds of Arabic. High Arabic is the formal, classical language used in the Koran. Each country  also has its own colloquial Arabic or street Arabic which can vary greatly. Egyptian Arabic is understood widely. This is largely due to its dominant movie and music industries which disseminate Egyptian Arabic throughout the Arab world. Egyptian Arabic is also known to be one of the most  melodic interpretations of the Arabic language. However Coptic language was the one spoken in ancient Egypt. Nowadays it is only preserved in Coptic Christian religious services. The way a society dress is consider as a symbol. Some Egyptians follow Islamic customs in their dress. Men grow beards and wear long, light colored gowns and skull caps. Women wear robes and cover their hair, ears and arms with a veil.