Carsishma Patel
1505791
Culture Shock and Poor Adjustment
In this essay, I will be critically analysing whilst reviewing how the key issues of Culture shock and Poor adjustment can affect a business and the people inside it. In the world of cross-cultural management, these problems are very common. Therefore, I will also be, suggesting four valid recommendations that should help avoid these issues happening.
Part 1
The term ‘Culture Shock’ generally refers to the not so pleasant experience that had acquired when being exposed to other cultures. According to Marx (1999), this notion has been observed with a model that was adapted from the one by anthropologist Oberg (1960). Browaeys and Price (2015) state that international managers have exercised culture shock psychologically, which have three levels, Emotions, Social skills and identity and Thinking this was known as the ‘culture shock tringle’ Marx (1999). Each section of the pyramid has a brief explanation, emotions is linked to euphoria and how it can lead to depression then to contentment. Thinking, from the stereotyping to culturally effective thinking. Finally, social skills and identity, which is from national to transnational social skills and international identity. Regarding, the triangle Marx (2001) states that in a scenario people can be pessimistic or optimistic to the area of maybe working in a new environment or even a new country that is very different to their own. Therefore, each stage of the triangle would affect them differently depending on the mind-set of the individual. Working in a new culture can trigger various reactions such as, confusion on what to do for example, if you have moved from a different country and working in the hospitality industry like a hotel the customs maybe slightly different to what you are used to. Bhawuk and Brislin, (1992) stated that when people were working in China people found it hard to comprehend with the idea of eating dog meat. This, can link back to Marx’s model and how emotions can be affected because this can be shock to people and touchy subject as people have them as pets etc. Furthermore, I will be linking the ways in which culture shock and poor adjustment is an issue in the hospitality industry sector.
The Hilton Hotel and Resorts is a global brand that is widely recognised as a full service hospitality business, it founded by Conrad Hilton originally. The last updated record from 2017 states that there is more than 570 Hilton Hotels and Resorts in 85 countries, (Online Source) which is spread across six continents. They have their main headquarters in Mclean, Virginia, United States. Hilton (online)
Oberg (1960) stated that described culture as an ‘occupational disease’ this was to be when people were being moved abroad. In addition, that culture shock that came with this was the result of ‘losses’ of all familiar signs and symbols of social intercourse. According to Oberg, there are four main stages to culture shock. The fi...
