Abstract The purpose of this paper is to compare and contrast two ways of representing culturalknowledge. It does so by providing background, describing two systems and providing conclusions.
From the Paper "Cultures are considered to be in the heads of culture members and the anthropologists who analyze them. Since anthropology is considered to be a science dealing with the description of human cultures, it is important to have accurate and reliable ways of representing and transferring cultural knowledge. The purpose of this paper is to compare and contrast two different ways of representing cultural knowledge in anthropology. It will do so by providing background information detailing the basic needs of a representational system describing..."
Abstract This paper discusses how multi-national corporations, which operate across international frontiers on a global level, manage their knowledge resources and their multi-cultural employees. It looks at how individuals of different nationalities and cultures must operate as a team with some control of the multi-national corporation's knowledge database. It shows how knowledge is the greatest of all assets, and how the provision of cross?cultural experiences should always be available with the minimum of hassles. Senior knowledge workers and cross-cultural managers should, by themselves, be an asset to the corporation for their knowledge, but their needs and past service should also be recognized.
From the Paper "A cross-cultural team may be absolutely necessary and the corporation's vital interests may depend on the smooth operation of such a team. The metaphors that can be derived from a multi cultural team include military, sports, community, family, and associates. There are different expectations about team roles, scope, membership, and objectives that arise in different cultural contexts and these as well as the success of the project have to be managed. Cross cultural management, therefore, has a human resource management dimension in the sense that cross cultural managers must be trained, acquired and deployed keeping in mind factors which are fair to the managers as well as the corporation."
Abstract This paper addresses four sources focusing on knowledge and how knowledge is communicated in the study of non-native cultures. Knowledge defines how we approach a given culture or concept. According to this paper, when we think we know something, we are more likely to approach it in an authoritative manner and communicate our views and opinions to our audience, as we strongly believe that we have based our position in facts and therefore have a firm foundation for our personal feelings on the issue.
From the Paper "Knowledge defines how we approach a given culture or concept. When we think we know something, we are more likely to approach it in an authoritative manner and communicate our views and opinions to our audience, as we strongly believe that we have based our position in facts and therefore have a firm foundation for our personal feelings on the issue. This scenario, however, makes it extremely dangerous to present information as factual, when it is inherently incorrect. We see in the discussion of Orientalism, for example, how the perception of Hinduism as defined by early scholars was translated into cannon, where as David Ludden writes "Authoritative sources produced diverse types of data that became factualized and located in a unified empirical domain where they could be formed into verified statements about Indian reality."
Abstract The paper explains that cultural competence refers to being trained to work in any cross cultural therapeutic environment. The paper relates that every encounter is cross cultural because therapists and patients have differing reference groups. Cultural sensitivity and cultural competence involve the acquisition of both generic and specific culturalknowledge and skills. The paper stresses that unless the mental health psychiatric nurse takes the cultural influences on a patient into account, the goals and process for that patient will not be appropriate.
From the Paper "Cultural competence is associated with four areas: awareness, knowledge, relationships and skills. In order to work with people from diverse cultures who have a mental health disability, the nurse must have cultural competence."
Abstract An explanation of the process, culture, and technology in an expert locator format that are required to facilitate true collaboration and tacit knowledge reuse. This KM initiative proposes the process, culture, and technology required to capture the experts within Raytheon Electronic Systems into an expert locator to facilitate and expedite knowledge transfer between organizations and employees. This set of processes, cultural model, and technology assist in the capture, storage, and dissemination of expert locator data to all business units within Raytheon Electronic Systems. Effectiveness of the expert locator system are also captured through Oregon Productivity Matrix method of organizational performance measurement.
From the Paper "Raytheon Electronic Systems, a business within Raytheon Company, employs over 50,000 in disciplines across engineering, manufacturing, sales, business, information technology, and many others. These 50,000+ employees are spread over a dozen locations within the United States and several foreign countries. There is a need for a standard, simplified, easily accessible expert locator system to improve knowledge transfer and reuse in major projects and initiatives."
Tags: expert, km, knowledge, locator, management, transfer, Raytheon
Abstract This research paper discusses the dynamic of cultural competency for the school social work student. It particularly explores the factors of awareness (e.g., attitudes), perceptions and practices that empower cultural competency for the school social work student. The paper also investigates whether cultural competency by the instructor offers insight into the dynamic of how race and ethnicity may impact the student and instructor working alliance.
Table of Contents:
Chapter One -- Introduction
Hypothesis and Research Statement
Defining Cultural Competence
Cultural Competency
Cultural Competence Practice and Training: Overview
Strategy and Practice
Moving Towards Cultural Competence
Knowledge, Skills, and Ability
Attitudes
Skills
Knowledge Statement of the Problem
Significance of the Study
Chapter Two -- Review of the Literature
Theoretical Framework
Research Hypothesis
Research Questions
Terms and Definitions
Chapter Three - Research Design and Statistical Procedures
Research Participants
Instruments
Chapter Four - Findings
From the Paper "This is, naturally, a concern because it slows down the process that the client is involved in when it comes to discussing the problems that he or she is facing and working to solve them. Without the client being honest about his or her thoughts and feelings, the social worker can have trouble determining how to best help the client and what strategies might work in the future. Social workers must take care that they interact with the client but do not do so to the extent that their beliefs and opinions become something that the client senses too strongly and therefore chooses to react to. The goal is for the client to discuss his or her problems and issues in a way that is non-judgmental and does not make the client feel as though he or she has to agree with everything that the social worker says."
Abstract The paper relates in descriptive terms the understanding of many African Americans that knowledge, values and principles are necessary to fulfill their ambition of self definition and development. The paper highlights with examples and discussion, the necessity for African Americans to recognize their culturalknowledge, values and principles and to self define or self develop to prevent loss of identity.
Outline:
Essential knowledge Important principles and values
From the Paper "Knowledge is definitely power, and the knowledge of one's roots and heritage is empowering for the individual of African America descent. In an introduction to an article entitled, Black Homeland Black Diaspora, Drachler emphasizes the importance of acknowledging one's African roots, cultures, and customs. However, Drachler also writes how this knowledge can become quite confusing with the pressure to be Americanized into a universal melting pot. This search for an "identity of wholeness and pride [...] have offered themselves, pointing toward Africa [...] the ancestral homeland" (Draschler 8-9). Drachler lists several "main tendencies" that have been attempted by African Americans to gain self-knowledge and awareness."
This paper explores the cultural transition experience in Canada of the foreign-trained professional and how it compares with that of the ordinary immigrant.
Abstract The paper argues that the foreign-trained professional in Canada tends to be at an advantage. The paper explains that the trained professional is far better equipped to cope with the stressors related to cultural transition because of access to substantial resources such as knowledge, skills, and social support. The paper does point out, however, that a barrier confronting foreign-trained professionals is when skills and knowledge acquired in the country of origin are not respected.
Outline:
Introduction
Adjustment of Foreign-Trained Professionals
Professionals and Healthy Adaptation
Resources Available to the Foreign-Trained Professional
Conclusion
From the Paper "Immigration has become an escalating trend in Canada so that the proportion of the population that is foreign-born is currently higher than ever observed over the past 70 years (Census Canada, 2001). Successful adaptation for the immigrant depends, above all, on the employment needs in Canada and on the immigrant's qualifications. Foreign-trained professionals not only are a valuable resource to this country but they also bring their own resources for adjustment to Canadian life. Those resources, since they are based in the academic environment, are not available to other immigrants (Jones, 2002)."
Tags: stress, adjustment, knowledge, skills, social, support
Abstract The project addresses not only the cultural assumptions that are involved in texts used in language teaching, but also the kinds of culturalknowledge and skills that are required by language learners for comprehending and interpreting these texts. The paper looks at the way we conceptualize the world and how it seems to acquire some language-and-culture specific features. The project focuses not only on the different conceptualization of knowledge and experience of the world within different cultures, but also on the way it is fixed in language.
Contents:
General Introduction
Theoretical Assumptions
Practical Implications
Method
Data Analysis
Results and Discussion
References
From the Paper "The variety of interpretations of culture and its relationship to language is a theme of continuing and possibly endless debate. Generally speaking, language is not transparent and neutral. It is a site in which beliefs, values and points of view are produced, encoded and contested. Language thus reflects culture, and language and culture are inseparable. Sherzer (1987) views language as cultural and claims that it is language use in discourse that creates, recreates and modifies culture."
Abstract The paper examines how organizations of all sizes contend with knowledge management issues and, whether they are aware of the issue or not, knowledge management decision-making is influenced heavily by organizational politics. The paper analyzes case studies that illustrate the influence of organizational politics on IT decisions, and how politically-motivated IT decisions can have detrimental effects on employee performance. The paper concludes that an organization's management software can foster collaboration or isolation among employees, and that this can either positively or negatively impact the company's profits.
From the Paper "In light of Wilson's (1997) analysis of the impact of technology on social and political change, St. Luke's serves as a role model for existing companies seeking to restructure or for new companies starting from scratch. At St. Luke's collaborative values were "consciously designed into the structure and culture of the enterprise from the outset," (Bumbo & Coleman 2000). Yet even with walls and desks, organizations can become more "people-determined," (Markus 1983), more dedicated to collaboration, sharing, and mutual benefit."
An examination of the ideal way to define and describe culture, focusing on the benefits of using culture-general rather than culture specific dimensions.
Abstract This paper argues that defining and describing cross-cultural similarities and differences is best accomplished by using culture-general rather than culture specific dimensions. The paper defines culture and discusses the problems associated with culture-specific information, particularly in that one usually finds exceptions rather than the general rules of the culture.
From the Paper "By adopting the perspective that cultures begin with some universal similarities, research into cross-cultural differences takes on more widely understood parameters. The scientific community itself, by adopting certain universal standards so that everyone can communicate the same information is certainly an example of this. While generalizing about different cultures may have some drawbacks, it is certainly an acceptable risk when compared to the bias that can result when researchers attempt to look more closely at particulars and judge them without having an overall framework of understanding."
Abstract Cultural competence is the integration and transformation of knowledge about individuals and groups of people into specific standards, policies, practices, and attitudes used in appropriate cultural settings to increase the quality of services, thereby producing better outcomes. The author of this research proposal contends that cultural competence is becoming a necessary function and skill for all those dealing with social and health services and proposes to analyze the current perception of cultural competence on the part of screeners and emergency response social workers in the Santa Clara County system. The author also reviews current literature on the subject.
From the Paper "The evolving concept of Cultural Competence is an area of reformation that is changing the delivery of many aspects of health and social work services. The delivery of social work services, especially in periods of client and family duress can and usually do place a screener or an emergency response social worker in a position that requires rapid response and decision making, regarding the best interest of the clients and the state. It is for this reason and, many others that those who specifically deal with situations that require rapid and appropriate response must enlist cultural competence not as a thought process or a set of ideas but almost as a second hand and integrated pattern of behavior in the system and the individual. Cultural competence is essential to the development of social workers and social work systems that are responsive and capable of dealing with the results of social and cultural discrimination, poverty, inadequate housing and even more blatant discrimination."
The following essay examines two related themes in the Modern Age that have dramatically weaved their way through history and into the present day, nationalism and its aggressive ethnocentric stepchild, cultural imperialism.
1,305 words (approx. 5.2 pages), 2000 sources, 2000, $ 44.95
Abstract This essay examines the two related themes that have significantly contributed to the development of social, political, and cultural changes across the planet. The writer examines several historical examples related to these themes, and then relates nationalism and cultural imperialism to current events. In addition this essay comments on nationalistic tendencies during the Protestant Reformation and creation of the dynastic states, surrounding the French Revolution and the Revolutions of 1848, within the Far East, and in other settings; and cite nationalism in current events.
From the Paper "Plenty of arguments surround the role of the Protestant Reformation in the rise of modern individualism, democracy, and industrialism, but most historians agree that the Reformation deeply influenced the formation of modern nationalism, especially through the Thirty Years War and the subsequent Treaty of Westphalia. By that time, several of the modern nation-states were solidified, particularly Spain, France, and England. Here we see nationalism originating in states that were based on religious and dynastic ties."
Abstract E.D. Hirsch asserts that there are basic cultural concepts and ideas that must be known in order to communicate and thrive in ones community. This paper gives a brief history of the author and analyzes his idea that modern education is a failure since it does not leave students culturally literate. The paper concludes that education should be modified to allow for intergenerational knowledge.
From the Paper "In his book Cultural Literacy, subtitled "What Every American Needs to Know," E.D. Hirsch Jr. begins with the fact that there are certain ideas and certain facts which we all assume that other people know. When we talk to people and make certain cultural references, we expect to be understood (assuming we are speaking to someone also from this same culture, of course). In the course of his book, though, Hirsch shifts from what we expect people know to his subtitle, detailing what he believes every American should know in order to be an American citizen."
Discusses six cultural norms in Asia, the knowledge of which, could help North American business people form mutually beneficial business relationships.
1,900 words (approx. 7.6 pages), 6 sources, 2002, $ 71.95
Abstract The business world is becoming one community, and with this comes the interaction of people from different cultures. This paper examines six cultural universals from the region of Asia which would help North American business people form mutually beneficial business relationships. In this paper, education, language, paternalism (age), division of labor, supernatural beliefs and inheritance rules and property rights will be addressed.
