Managing Across Cultures: A Learning Framework

Source of Identity: Individual-Collective

To what degree should people pursue their own individual activities, achievements, and educational and business successes rather than contribute to the activities, achievements, and successes of their extended family, clan or ethnic group, or even company or division?

At the Individual Pole

In societies near the Individual pole, people primarily look after their own interests and those of their immediate family. They expect, and are expected, to be self-reliant, show initiative, and chart their own careers.

Many people from the U.S. culture believe in the dignity and worth of each individual and see self-development and self-realization as worthy goals. U.S. movies frequently portray the lone hero who ...