Cross-cultural management: new epistemological basis

Proceedings of ‏The International Virtual Conference on Management and Economics

Year: 2020

DOI: https://www.doi.org/10.33422/ivcme.2020.05.159

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Cross-cultural management: new epistemological basis

Pr. Awatif ELGOUCHI

 

ABSTRACT: 

In terms of interculturality, there is a need to cross points of view both in terms of practices and in terms of research. This study aims to complete Hofstede and Trompenaars’ theories developing new epistemological basis and new variables according to non-western cultures. First, we show that the anthropological sources of the discipline bequeath to it a disabling methodological legacy. Then, we propose a method, in a culturalist approach, that goes beyond the descriptive taxonomy of cultures to the study of specific dynamics generated by their encounter in workplace. Finally, we propose new cultural dimensions whose validity is tested through a survey conducted within multicultural teams operating in Morocco. We demonstrate that the spiritual significance of work plays a key role in the way to achieve it. This has an impact on motivation methods and professional fulfilment. Also, we show that the degree of openness predisposes a culture more than another to be more efficient in multicultural situations and to more easily adopt new working manners. Our goal is to construct a theory outline that allows the acquisition of real intercultural competence in contact with new cultures. Our findings contribute to give more intelligibility both to diversity managers and cross-cultural management researchers.

Keywords: cross-cultural management, identity in work, international competitiveness of firms, Hofstede, Trompenaars.