Choice of the Managing Director Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Choice of the Managing Director - Essay Example Introduction In case of the expatriate operations, the functions of management and leadership are to a large extent dependent on a much broader concept called ‘diversity’ (Kirton & Greene 2005, p. 127). Diversity is a very expansive concept that includes within its ambit a little more than an individual’s looks, colour, traits, attitudes and status (Kirton & Greene 2005). In the given scenario the managing director to be selected will be required to manage, function and lead in an environment that will carry a quintessentially Vietnamese flavour. As the commonsense suggest, it will be much easier for a Vietnamese managing director to manage the manufacturing operations being undertaken in Vietnam. However, in an academic context, the choice to be made is necessarily required to be explained in a rational and factual manner. As per Geert Hofstede, the salient values in any organization are to a large extent determined by the predominant culture of that place. Hofst ede grouped the cultural values of varied countries and regions into four main groups that are called the Hofstede cultural dimensions (Baptiste, Dodor & Rana 2007). ... Vietnam has a Power Distance Index of 70, which means that in the Vietnamese society, people do readily accept a hierarchical system, without registering any objections or problems (Hofstede 1996). Individualism is a cultural attribute that determines as to the extent to which the members in a society tend to remain independent. On this dimensions, Vietnam has a score of 20 that means that in Vietnam it is the group affiliations that stand to dominate over individual aspirations and ambition (Tuan & Napier 2000). Masculinity is a cultural dimension that explains whether a society values success and ambition or whether it gives priority to the overall quality of life over success, achievement and ambition (Hofstede 1996). Vietnam has a score of 40 on this dimension which means that Vietnam is particularly a feminine society where solidarity and quality of life holds a sway over success and achievement (Reynolds 2000). Hofstede also propounded one more cultural dimension that is Uncert ainty Avoidance. The Uncertainty Avoidance Index of a culture states as to what extent the people in a culture are comfortable with the anxiety and stress associated with the ambiguity inherent in the future (Hofstede 1996). Vietnam has a low Uncertainty Avoidance Index of 30 which means that the Vietnamese hate uncertainty and are mostly willing to do away with strict norms and principles in favour of ease and certainty (Tuan & Napier 2000). It will be really interesting to see as how the Australian culture scores on the four Hofstede cultural dimensions. Australia- Cultural Dimensions Australia has a Power Distance Index of 36, very low as compared to Vietnam. Translated practically it means that in the Australian work culture, hierarchies