Edward T Hall Framework

Time (Decision Making)Context (Communication)Space (Org Structure / Decision Making)

Time

Monochromic PolychromicOne thins at a time Multiple activities at onceRigid approach to time Flexible approach to timeStrict agenda No strict agendaFocus on task Focus on relationshipCompletion of job is important Relationships more important than the jobEmphasize promptness Promptness based on relationship

Business in other countries, people perception on time is different. Such as scheduling meetings, participating in conference calls or planning a project, all this can be affected by attitude to time.

Culture of the country also had affect the way people view time. Polychromic culture tends to focus more on relationship (family, friends) compare to monochromic culture.

Context

High context culture much is taken for grantedLow context culture very little is taken for granted

Factor High LowUse of non-verbal communication

Much non-verbal communication

More focus on verbal communication than body language

Expression of reaction Reserved, inward reaction Visible, external, outward reaction

Cohesion and separation of groups

Strong distinction between in-group and out-group.Strong sense of family

Flexible and open grouping patterns.Changing as needed.

People Bond (relationship) Strong people bonds with affiliation to family and country

Fragile bond between people with little sense of loyalty.

Low context culture

A highly mobile environment where people come and goHigh context culture

With stable population and the culture mature over time.

Space

Space is important especially personal space/

When a person personal space is being invaded it will create discomfort

Space between people or where things are position in a room or during meeting have different meaning to people from different culture, can affect businesses and communication

Every culture has a hidden cultural rules concerning physical space between people when communicating.

Side note

South Africa Sub-Saharan Africa Region (Huntington)Known as black Africa which mean black population

History of S.A.

1652, Dutch, East India Company

1795, Great Britain

In between, France

1803, Dutch

1806, Britain (British)

Ubuntu (One founding principle of S.A.)

Open and available to others, affirming of others, does not feel threaten that other are being able and good… etc. Is about the fact that you can’t exist as human being alone.Concept of Ubuntu is used in political to emphasize the need for unity or consensus in decision making as well as to inform decision.

Hofstede Studies:

Country Power Distance Individualism Vs Collectivism

Masculinity Vs Feminity

Uncertainty Avoidance Index

South Africa 49 65 63 49West Africa 77 20 46 54East Africa 64 27 41 52

Note: The three countries belong to the same region identify by Huntington as the Sub-Saharan Africa Region.

Next phase:

Use framework combines with background to analyze culture of S.A.

Examples:

According to Hofstede individualism vs collectivism of Singapore is 74. The figure show that Singapore is lean toward an individualism country. Individualism is the (meaning) (who, 1999). The individualist thinking of Singapore may due to the education of the country as the educations setting are of western culture. This create a westerner culture mindset in Singaporean and people tend to work toward own merit and believe that individual is important.

Note: the individualism and collectivism figure is inaccurate for Singapore (20). I only use it as an example.