Abstract
This paper discusses articles by Roger M. Keesing and Anne Ryen and David Silverman on what culture is, and how we study it, and see what is different in one culture, as opposed to a different culture, or in a small aspect of culture. The paper explains that Keesing seems to be more inclined to see culture in dynamic ways, as always changing or developing, or that has to do with thinking processes, where Ryen and Silverman discuss culture in more material terms that can affect how people of different cultures understand each other. The paper also discusses how Keesing looks at cultures as structural systems so that the scholar will look at how a culture or a structure began and how it continues to influence human life. The writer believes that Ryen and Silverman seem more tied up in how an outsider looks at a culture, the dynamics of importance of what go on between human beings, as individuals, as opposed to the cultural system that Keesing tried to understand. The writer concludes that both articles manage to get across the care that must be taken when researching cultures that are not one's own, but the writer feels that Keesing's work is still not out-dated.

Outline:
Introduction
Theories of Culture
The Human Factor
Last Remarks

From the Paper
"A culture may adapt because new technology or kinds of organization have come along, or it may change so that a people survive, as in cultures that begin to conserve something so that they can survive in their environment. A desert people, for instance, may show a culture that is protective of water, does not waste water, or whose art shows themes of happiness as the coming of the rain, or safely getting to a place where water is available. Keesing then begins to look at ideational theories of culture that have to do with cognitive systems and how people decide what is special, appealing or what must be done, as all can influence culture. (1974:77f)."

Tags:boundries, structural, systems, anthropology, ethnic, pride, socio-cultural

Abstract
The following paper will argue that any description of cross-cultural similarities and differences is best founded on a consideration mainly of culture-specific dimensions rather than culture-general dimensions; beyond that (and just as importantly), if one wishes to be competent in cross-cultural communication and learning, a firm grasp of culture-specific dimensions is critical. With that in mind, the following paper will look at how emphasis upon culture-general dimensions can lead someone to overlooking the subtleties that distinguish various cultures. The paper will also, in the interests of fairness, highlight how knowledge of culture-general dimensions can allow someone to feel "more at home" in an alien culture - and it can humanize others in the minds of a person traveling to a new location for the first time. Lastly, the essay ends by returning to its support of culture-general communication by citing the time saved, by making it easier to distinguish the "real" commonalities between cultures, and because it makes possible more experiential opportunities.

From the Paper
Intercultural Study: Why Descriptions of Cross Cultural similarities and differences are best founded on consideration mainly of culture-specific dimensions rather than culture-general dimensions The following paper will argue that any description of cross-cultural similarities and differences is best founded on a consideration mainly of culture-specific dimensions rather than culture-general dimensions; beyond that (and just as importantly), if one wishes to be competent in cross-cultural communication and learning, a firm grasp of culture-specific dimensions is critical. With that in mind, the following paper will look at how emphasis upon culture-general dimensions can lead

Tags:specific, dimensions, culture

Abstract
This paper explains what culture is and how one culture differs from another. The paper explains the theories of the two main authors on the subject: Edward T. Hall and Geert Hofstede. It then focuses on cross cultural issues that occur in international companies. Two figures are included with the paper.

Outline:
Theories on culture differences
What is culture: how does it affect our lives and how is it formed?
What differentiates cultures from each other?
Hall's high and low context cultural framework
Hofstede's "Five Dimensions of Culture"
Managing cross cultural issues in a multinational firm
Managing cultural differences inside an organization
Managing cross cultural issues when entering a foreign market

From the Paper
"When confronted with a same situation, different people react differently. Their values (what they consider important) and beliefs (their sense of what will happen next) play an important role in the way they perceive an issue. This filter of values and beliefs leads individuals to a specific behavior. Where do values and beliefs come from? That's what we will encompass in this first part.
"Whereas animals react by instinct and their communication is mostly innate, we behave by culture, which is a major human characteristic. Culture molds our entire communication spectrum: words, gestures, tones of voice, facial expressions, the way one plays, works and makes love."

Tags:culture, management, abroad

Abstract
The representation of popular culture is, it may be argued, as much revealing of the critic as of popular culture itself. While popular culture is, by definition, a culture created and shared by a large portion of the population, popular culture has also historically been criticized in gendered and condescending language. In this context, the thesis will be argued that the significance of David McGimpsey's collection Hamburger Valley, California lies in its deep, if sometimes critical and ambivalent, thematic participation in American popular culture.

From the Paper
Popular Culture in Hamburger Valley, California: The Poet as Participant The representation of popular culture is, it may be argued, as much revealing of the critic as of popular culture itself. While popular culture is, by definition, a culture created and shared by a large portion of the population, popular culture has also historically been criticized in gendered and condescending language. In this context, the thesis will be argued that the significance of David McGimpsey's collection Hamburger Valley, California lies in its deep, if sometimes critical and ambivalent, thematic participation in American popular culture.

Tags:literature, culture, poetry

Abstract
This essay, "IS LAW TRANSCENDENT OR CULTURE DEPENDENT?" poses that question, based on a consideration of a number of cultural settings, ancient and modern, and finds that law is highly culture dependent. It is a study in the variables of cultural anthropology as much as law, and shwos that in every culture, including the subcultures of American society, there is a law unique to the vernacular of each culture.

From the Paper
IS LAW TRANSCENDENT OR CULTURE DEPENDENT? One of the greatest frustrations that those who approach law find about this subject is that while it seems emotional to cry out for simplicity and universality, it seems only to generate increasing particularity and complexity. Those social reformers who continually try to simplify and universalize law offer the contention that law is a universal phenomenon. However, in the light of reality, this argument must be refined if it is to retain any sort of meaning. Every culture has law. But the law of cultures varies radically from one culture to another. Consider an example of the

Tags:law, culture, universal

Abstract
The paper points out that Japanese and Chinese cultures are independent of one another in that they have accepted their own cultural ideas of others, focus on gender and religious beliefs over the course of time. However, the paper discusses how these views do parallel one another to a significant degree in that as time has elapsed many of the ideas that have survived are correlated between cultures, with individualized philosophies making them unique. For example, the paper notes that the Japanese are taught specific culture attitudes that they exhibit in every day life. The paper relates that the typical Japanese individual views those from other cultures as "outsiders" in Japan, regardless of the residency status of the person ("Japanese Culture", 2007, sec. 1) and this is because the Japanese individual is traditionally taught to be part of a group that is comprised of members of his or her own culture. The paper clarifies that this is not to suggest that the Japanese individual practices rude behavior to others or does not associate with those from other cultural groups. The paper notes that the Japanese individual is taught that despite differences that may exist, a decision can be reached in which both parties will be satisfied with the outcome, and so in most cases individuals foreign to Japan will not witness hostility from those in the Japanese culture.

From the Paper
"The Japanese and Chinese cultures are independent of one another in that they have accepted their own cultural ideas of others, focus on gender and religious beliefs over the course of time. However, these views do parallel one another to a significant degree in that as time has elapsed many of the ideas that have survived are correlated between cultures, with individualized philosophies making them unique. For example, the Japanese are taught specific culture attitudes that they exhibit in every day life. The typical Japanese individual views those from other cultures as "outsiders" in Japan, regardless of the residency status of the person..."

Tags:chinese, japan, culture

Abstract
The question, What is popular culture and how does it relate to Eastern and Western societies? is an apparently simple query that conceals a complex range of social cultural and economic aspects. This essay examines this question, beginning with a provisional definition of popular culture and an attempt to distinguish it from other cultural forms such as high culture and mass culture. The thesis is argued that popular culture is, in its fundamental elements, a commercial culture that is dependent to an extraordinary degree upon the mass media as a technological vehicle for its messages and products.

Tags:pop, culture, asia

Abstract
The writer of this paper details the manner in which various values and cultural traditions can impact an individual's or group's beliefs, attitudes and actions with respect to their day-to-day existence. The writer contends and explains how cultural differences affect communication, interaction and actions amongst different people. In an environment where little cultural diversity exists, it is likely that cultural differences will have little or no impact on human relations. This paper also discusses the issue of cultural differences in the workplace. Cultural diversity can lead to conflict as well as collaboration within the workplace, depending on whether or not people are willing to embrace people that are culturally different. This paper examines the impact of cultural diversity in the classroom, where teachers are being asked to become more culturally literate so that they can better address the needs of all their students, rather than the few who fall into one or two categories. This paper also explores the issue of students with varying cultural backgrounds that have different perceptions of learning and communicating and the manner in which their needs are met.

Table of Contents:
Introduction
Analysis of Cultural Traditions and Human Relations
Conclusions
References

From the Paper
"Cultural differences even impact students in the classroom. More and more teachers are being asked to become more culturally literate so that they can better address the needs of all their students, rather than the few who fall into one or two categories. Students with varying cultural backgrounds have different perceptions of learning and communicating, thus may have a difficult time achieving in a classroom that does not recognize their cultural differences and methods of learning. For students to be successful in a culturally diverse environment, teachers must work to improve communications and the methods they use to teach, to ensure that they are addressing the needs of a diverse population. To understand how cultural differences impact human relations one must also understand what culture is."

Tags:ethnic, conflict, culture, diversity, education, workplace

Abstract
The paper states that it is not complicated to find some globalized places such as airline terminals, international hotels or CNN business news revealing the effects of globalization and its repercussions on our understanding of culture in the modern world. The paper relates that through the growing of global interconnections and the processes of ideas and global goods crossing national borders, cultures fuse across the globe. The paper also discusses the presence of English as an international language, and a homogenization of culture. The paper confirms that, culture is a set of values and practices characterized by its particularity, which nevertheless needs universal criteria as a reference to justify this particularity. It is also crucial to define culture as an "encompassing" concept and to keep in mind that it is difficult to know what is cultural.

From the Paper
"In addition, a shared global culture is also relevant as a global dissemination of an American or Western culture. Indeed the processes of globalization are providing fuel for a cultural imperialism, that is to say a global culture liable to be a hegemonic culture. Thus the assertion of a shared global culture seems to be linked to what Friedman describes as "the increasing hegemony of particular central cultures, the diffusion of American values, consumers goods and lifestyles" (Friedman, 1994: 195). The diffusion of dominant standard icons and references such as MacDonald's, Coca-Cola leads to think about an obvious Americanization. In a word, cultures are both confronted by a global dominance of the western culture and by the practices of global capitalism. The result is probably a decrease of cultural differences: a process which undeniably worked to the advantage of the USA and others Western nations. A striking example of this tendency of cultural imperialism is the United Nations Educations Scientific and Cultural Organization's call for a "new world information and communication order" and its politics on global culture."

Tags:shared, global, culture, diversity, national, differences, cultural, homogenization, synchronisation, cultural, proliferation

Abstract
This paper presents a study to identify pertinent traits that characterize effective leaders in various societal settings. The paper relates that the mixed methodology used in this study is (1) a qualitative analysis of the relevant peer-reviewed and scholarly literature concerning the specific relationship between leadership styles, organizational culture and the larger society and (2) a review and synthesis of various case studies concerning the impact of leadership on cross-cultural organizational performance. The paper includes a summary of the major aims and objectives of the study and an analysis of implications for leaders and recommendations for organizations such as "treat all people fairly".

Table of Contents:
Introduction
Statement of the Problem
Aims and Objectives
Significance of the Study
Rationale of the Study
Literature Review
Background and Overview
Definitions of Culture
Table: Bureaucratic, Innovative and Supportive Organizational Cultures
Table: Family-Owned and Operated Organizational Cultures
Table: Masculine and Collectivist Organizational Cultures
Cultural Aspects of Organizational Leadership
Relationship between Organizational Leadership and Society
Table: Types of Organizational Citizenship Behaviors
Table: Potential Reasons Why Organizational Citizenship Behaviors (OCBs) Influence Work Group And/Or Organizational Performance
Discussion
Chapter Summary
Methodology
Description of the Study Approach
Data-Collection
Sample
Setting
Ethical Considerations
Evaluative Action Plan
Instruments/Measurements
Chapter Summary
Results and Presentation of Findings
Discussion, Implications and Recommendations
Results and Presentation of Findings
Introduction
Sample
Studies
Table: Recapitulation and Summary of Peer-Reviewed Journal Articles Consulted
Setting
Ethical Considerations
Evaluative Action Plan
Table: Noblit and Hare's Meta-Ethnographic Comparative Method
Instruments/Measurements
Chapter Summary
Discussion, Implications and Recommendations
Introduction
Summary of Major Aims and Objectives
Implications
Recommendations
Limitations

From the Paper
"These responsibilities frequently involve decision processes that are unstructured, complex, and ambiguous; the studies to date indicate that the outcomes of such decision processes can be affected greatly by the characteristics of the team and its members.
"Taken together, the foregoing suggests that an organization's culture is highly influenced by its top leadership, but workers play a reciprocal role by helping them achieve the organization's goals and keeping it competitive."

Tags:cross-cultural, validity, continuum, sample, meta-synthesis