Competition
People of Canada at work place compete against each other. As a result, people embrace creativity and they are concern about artists. (Hooker 99). They choose to invest in projects which have got real customers and they manage their businesses in a competent manner. These people compete for power and various positions at the work place. Moreover, it is known that creativity and other input resources are always not enough. (Hofstede 80). Therefore, the market should be improved as well as finances and efficiency in operation. This will provide cultural environment in Canada that is reach. In order to reach many consumers, the Canadians always opt to using televisions and radios for advertisement. This has grown in this county to an extent that people even make orders through the radios.
People working in the film industry which very popular in Canada are being given stiff completion from the foreigners. (Hofstede 56). The foreign people dominate the field of film and the locals are now being put at sideways. Another factor which contributes to the failure in film industry in Canada is that they were operating in an economic infrastructure which was controlled by the United States. They are forced to produce work under the interest of America. (Hofstede 99). Furthermore, they are designed to favor the Americans products. In order to form media conglomerates, the Canadian industries have opted to use both horizontal and vertical competitive strategy. (Hofstede 87).They borrowed a lot from the United States in that they controlled film and television program libraries. This was done with an aim of doing a way with the program shortage. They also controlled libraries and new products to make sure that there is software which are compatible with the hardware being manufactured. They also worked on the idea of product diversification and make good use of economy of scale. This clearly points out that people fight to earn more money and they always do this by getting higher education and as a result, climb up in positions.
The Canadian culture uses the direct style of communication which shows the real intention of the speaker as well as his needs, desire and wants. (Hofstede 86).Canada is an individualistic and low culture uses this style of communication since it expresses some the value orientations such as honesty, openness and individual worth the language is used in direct manner and negative answers are avoided instead, words like absolutely and certainly are being used to avoid answers such as no.(Hooker 90). Some status like age and sex are not being considered in this country. They are given equal opportunity during conversation and the content and relevancy of the message is examined rather than the age and sex. However, women find it very difficult to do business in Canada. This is because they are being considered as weaker sex. Most importantly, the completion in the field of business in Canada is so stiff and they fail to compete with the men. (Hooker 88). The same rights are given both to the speaker and the listener. This expresses informality and egalitarian. Again in the culture of Canadians, there is the use of exacting style of communication. Here, neither less nor more information is required in a conversation. The speaker just uses the words which describe his/her intention and nothing is added on the top. (Hofstede 82).
Proliferation is one of the most distinct in the low-context culture which is being experienced by Canada. (Hofstede 83). There is detailed information here. (Hofstede 12). For instance, when one step out of train and need to get a taxi, there are signboards everywhere to show you where the taxis are. Furthermore, the streets are marked with directions hanged on the wall and maps are found everywhere to show several places in the city. In high context society, people seem to know where they are going and there is less communication. This is absorbed from the culture as one grows up. (Hofstede 91).
We cannot treat low-context communication as simply a cultural trait in Canada but as an outgrowth of urbanization and is being encouraged by international travel. These are considered as cultural elements in Canada. (Hofstede 100).In Canada, even the smallest town is full of labels in the street. It is funny in that the streets are labeled and given name and numbers yet the occupants of that town have lived there for lifetime and one is able to pin point the occupants of every house by name. (Hooker 78).In short everything here is labeled.
In order to make up for lack of shared meaning, the low people of Canada pass information in explicit code. (Hooker 34). The meanings of words are being found by what a person said not how it was said. This is just like communicating with computer where if the information is not fed well, then the meaning of the information is distorted. Carrying business in a foreign country do not only means to learn the legal requirements only but the cultural practices of that country should also be put into consideration.(Hooker 99).In Canada, culture and backgrounds are diverse and also individualism is being encouraged. (Hofstede 106).
Masculinity / Femininity The masculinity is being recognized as the best competition in which the winner is pointed out. The winner is being defined as the person who emerged the best in a competition. (Minkov 23).these values starts right from the high school to the adult hood. They don’t only apply at the work place but also during leisure. A low score (feminine) on the dimension means that the dominant values in society are caring for others and quality of life. (Minkov 67).A feminine society is one where quality of life is the sign of success and standing out from the crowd is not admirable. (Minkov 111). The fundamental issue here is what motivates people, wanting to be the best (masculine) or liking what you do (feminine). (Minkov 29). With the score of 52, Canadians can be grouped as fairly masculine society. While Canadians strive to attain high standards of performance in both work and play (sports), the overall cultural tone is more subdued with respect to achievement, success and winning, when compared to the US. (Minkov 45). Similarly, they do have some extra time to intermingle with the family and the rest of the friends. It should not be said that Canadians do not work hard. As a general rule, this country tries as much as it can to have fair competition among the people. Having scored fairly high on the above issue, Canada is a country which has got competition in all sectors that is recognized in all sectors. Men and women compete fairly for success in various businesses. (Hooker, J 19). Team projects do occur in the workplace but there is not a high importance placed on teamwork. (Hooker 50). Individual achievements are more valuable then team achievements and one might pass up the opportunity to have a team award and would instead opt for the individual award. I would say in general people prefer to work alone so that they do not have to rely on others to get the job done, people would prefer to have the power in their hands.(personal informant).
Formality
Formality and informality in Canada is treated as protocol. This means that Canadian people have the culture of putting first thing first. Family is a main priority in Canada and it is acceptable to leave work if there is a family emergency. (Hooker 57). Family is actually brought up a lot at work and there is nothing wrong in doing so. It is not unusual to have a coworker over for dinner or to meet the family as many new friendships are created through the working environment.
For instance, one put the interest of his/her business first before meddling in other issues. This can be ceremony, convention, politeness, etiquette, courtesy, status, authority, arrangement of events as well as responsibility. There are various reasons where protocol is being considered in Canada (Hofstede 57).These areas are places of work, public places as well as even in the private life. Just to elaborate, they also practice formality while welcoming customers, transportation, official forms of address, presentation of credentials, business and visiting cards, dress codes, gift giving, entertainment, privileges, courtesies, ceremonies, receptions, language, use of interpreters, team composition, seating arrangements, timing, documentation, departure, and precedence.( Hooker 81). Formalities are being maintained at all times. They do practice good manners and following good rules of etiquette also form part and parcel of Canadian culture. Some of the good manners which are being practiced in Canada include keeping time, good dress code, courtesies and politeness while talking.
The reason behind these good formalities in Canada is to ensure that good business environment exists. (Hooker 101).Nonetheless, Canada is known to operate on a formal culture. Formality simply means politeness and this is widely witnessed in Canada. They work towards embracing good qualities as they have already been mentioned. This makes them to welcome several investors since their culture of formality makes the environment favorable for businesses. (Hooker 309).To expound on this, formal culture just as it has been explained is culture which have got good manners of welcoming people and staying with them in a right manner.
Power distance
This tries to explain the inequality in the society. It also shows how the individuals respond to this as well as their reactions. (Hofstede 45).power distance is the way the loess powerful people do perceive that the people in institutions and organizations have the opinion that power is distributed unequally. They argue that inequality is being promoted by the people who existed before and their followers. (Hofstede 67). With a score of 39 on this dimension, Canadian culture is marked by interdependence among its inhabitants and there is value placed on egalitarianism. (Hofstede 98).This is also reflected by the lack of overt status and/or class distinctions in society. (Hofstede 34). The culture of Canadians expects the level of seniority and success of individuals. The managers rely on the employees for good work and the success of the companies. (Hofstede 87). It is customary for managers and staff members to consult one another and to share information freely. (Hofstede 77).With respects to communication, Canadians value a straightforward exchange of information. (Hofstede 81).
Work cited
Canada nationals (personal informants).
Hofstede, G. Cultures and organizations. New York: McGraw-Hill.1991.print.
Hofstede, G. Cultures and Organizations: Software of the Mind. Boston; McGraw-Hill.2004. Print.
Hooker, J. Working across Cultures. New York: Stanford University Press.2003.print.
