Introduction
Globalization has promoted an increased interaction of people from different areas of the world. Educational institutions and business organizations in the United States have internationalized some of their activities, which has resulted in increased cultural diversity in both the work environment and educational institutions. However, the increased cultural diversity may result in conflicts as people from different cultures may not share the same beliefs. Adler and Gunderson (2008) emphasized on the importance of understanding different individuals perspectives on issues of family, marital status, religion, property, wealth, children, and education. Understanding the different views that people from different cultures have regarding these issues can promote better understanding in both workplace and educational institutions; therefore, minimal conflicts. This assignment involves a comparison my cultural views, as a United States Citizen, with those of a workmate, who comes from Kenya, an East African nation. The evaluation of the differences and similarities in our cultural understandings will assist in understanding how employees from different nationalities and cultures can work together.
Interviewee’s Background
Joe Ng’etich is a Kenyan born immigrant who moved to the United Staes three and a half years ago. He is twenty-six years old and moved to America on a student visa. He is currently studying computer technology and works as a part-time technician for an electronic repair company. He also volunteers at a local animal shelter in Maryland.
Ng’etich’s family is made up of three siblings with him being the second oldest. He has an older sister, and a younger brother, who is studying at a Kenyan University. His family is quite wealthy as the father is a well known and respected commercial tea farmer. His father did not inherit land but bought land in the early 1980s, and 1970/ Ng’etich’s family are strong protestants, although he explained to me that he was not as religious as his family, though he believed in the existence of God. He received private education for primary school but went to a public high school. He studied at a public university before receiving a scholarship to come to the United States.
In Kenya, Ng’etich majored in information and communications technology, but moved to the United States one year before completion of his studies. He explained that in Kenya, many people go to the University, but a bachelor's degree qualification does not guarantee employment. Ngetich explained that admission to a Kenyan interview occurred after an individual passed their final high school examination, which was administered nationally. He explained that public university education in Kenya was cheaper as compared to public high school education.
He is not married but said that he had a child outside wedlock while still in Kenya. He explained that he sends payments to the child’s mother whenever he can to ensure that his child does not lack in anything. Although he is not married, Ng’etich takes the role of a parent very seriously. He explained that whenever he visits his home, which is usually once every year, he meets most of his family members including cousins and aunts. In the U.S, he lives off campus with a fellow Kenyan, who works in a Maryland restaurant. Ng’etich speaks fluently in both English and Swahili, languages commonly spoken in Kenya. He explained that he took French as a subject in high school, but is not fluent in the language. According to Ng’etich, his most important values is respect for life and every human being as well as care for nature. He experienced election during his teenage years, which explains his views on life. He comes from the countryside; thus his love for nature.
Interviewer Background
I was born in Los Angeles, California, and spent most of my childhood in Los Angeles. My family, however, moved to Maryland during my sophomore year at high school. I am the youngest of four children; I have two older sisters and an elder brother. My family was Buddhist, and I share the same religious views as my parents. I attended both private and public schools as a child. I attended Montgomery University (public) as well as University of Maryland University College. I obtained a degree in digital media and web technology, and a minor in software development and security. I am unmarried and do not have any children. I am however in a relationship. I rent a room in Upper Marlboro, where I live with my partner. The most important principles in my life lie in how I was raised, to always respect every living creature, and to never judge people based on their looks, but by their action. These values have resulted in me being an active volunteer at a local animal shelter.
Reflections on Similarities and Differences
Ng’etich and I are not so different even though we come from different cultural backgrounds. We both share a high respect for all living organisms and have a passion for conservation issues. Both of us place special emphasis on being self-driven and place special emphasis on maintaining a high reputation and personal image. We also place a high value on proper organization and give back to the community by volunteering at the animal shelters. Ng’etich upholds high respect for family, which is a similarity we both share. Most of our similarities lie in our perspectives on the environment and life.
Our main differences occurred due to the environment where each one of us was brought up. Malewar and Nair (2013) explained that cultural differences mainly occurred based on how an individual’s upbringing. Issues of cultural differences in the workplace also resulted in more instances of conflict. Understanding of the differences, however, resulted in a stronger and more effective workforce (Malewar & Nair, 2013). Ng’etich places high emphasis on education and happiness, and being alive. Having experienced election violence as a child, Ng’etich places a high emphasis on life and being happy. In Kenya, education is quite an important and high performers are always celebrated and respected, which may explain his high values for education. Ng’etich also believes in the existence of God, which I do not as Buddhists do not pay homage to any deity. As for me, I grew up in Los Angeles and did not place much emphasis on issues of education, until later in my college life. I grew up in a safe environment and only moved once, which resulted in me taking security issues for granted. As an American, I did see the need for learning a different language, since most of the services are in English. Ng'etich, on the other hand, views knowing different languages as an added advantage.
Interviewee-Interviewer Cultural Comparison Scores
Ng’etich has a higher acceptance to power distinctions as compared to me. Although all volunteers are equal at the workplace, Ng’etich considers some members as more powerful due to how long they have been volunteers. He, however, believes in teamwork, which is also common with me. This similarity has made us work very well together as he helps me out in areas involving physical strength while I help him understand several issues involving computers and animal species in the US. Ng’etich does not have a change attitude, and believes in planning for the future; therefore, his love for conservation. Although I practice conservation, I make short term plans and believe that things will change; therefore, need to adjust.
Cultural Analysis
The Hofstede Center provides a comparison of both the US and Kenyan cultures. The website explains that Kenyans place a higher value in power distance and uncertainty avoidance. Power distance is the rate at which individuals with the least power in a country or organization accept and expect the unequal distribution of power (The Hofstede Center, 2014). The Kenyan culture may involve instances where leaders distribute power based on their liking. Very few individuals have power, which results in high instances of inequalities in different areas. In the US, power is distributed to different individuals. Although not equally distributed, Americans report more instances of power equality as compared to Kenyans; therefore, lower power distance scores.
The greatest difference, however, lies on cultural perspectives ion individualism. The Hofstede Center (2014) explained America to have higher scores in individualism. In America, both employees and managers consult each other on different issues. Individual expertise is a major element in the workplace, with high beliefs in equal rights (The Hofstede Center, 2014). The American society is highly disintegrated, with every individual expected to care fir him or herself. The Kenyan culture, on the other hand, scored little on issues of individuality, which illustrates high dependency of instructions, as well as a more compact society. Kenyan managers were more likely to make decisions without consulting employees.
In a work situation involving Kenyans and Americans would result in instances of conflict due to different perspectives on individualism. Resolution of such issues will involve the introduction of team activities, where individual strengths are applied. Encouraging teamwork would create a dependency and helpful relationship while at the same time allowing individual development. Teamwork would also promote equal treatment of all individuals; therefore, reduce any conflict that may occur due to some individuals viewing themselves as more superior to others.
The most similar cultural category between two countries was masculinity. The US scored slightly higher than Kenya on the masculinity scale (The Hofstede Center, 2014). Both the United States and Kenyan societies are highly competitive. Issues of high achievement and success rank among the most important in the society with high performers gaining respect and other rewards. From education to employment, the two cultures emphasize on high competition, as well as the precise setting of targets.
In a work situation, a highly masculine culture would result in increased competition among different individuals. Individuals from both the US and Kenya are competitive; therefore, would work well in team activities. High masculinity scores would also result in an increasing need for improvement. The introduction of continuous improvement exercises at an organization would ensure that all employees whether Kenyan or American improve their skills.
Conclusion
After a close examination of our cultures, Ngetich and I have both similarities and differences. Understanding these similarities and differences acts as an eye opener on how we can work together with minimal conflicts. I am now more aware of Ng'etich’s beliefs, and am more likely to create positive relationships with him; therefore, increased productivity. Businesses and school organizations should also ensure they understand the differences in culture; therefore, implement strategies to ensure more culturally diverse environments.
References
Adler, N. J., & Gunderson, A. (2008). International Dimensions of Organizational Behaviour. Mason, OH: Thomson Southwestern.
Malewar, S., & Nair, P. (2013). Workforce Diversity: A Strength or a Conflict. Voice of Research.
The Hofstede Center. (2014). United States in Comparison with kENYA. Retrieved from The Hofstede Center: http://geert-hofstede.com/united-states.html
