Page 64 - DMGT545_INTERNATIONAL_BUSINESS

Unit 3: Cultural and Social Environment

Another interesting observation he made, was regarding performance appraisal. “People notes
here equate hard work with high performance. Just because you spent as many hours, it
does not make you a high achiever.” Pinckney himself works almost every Saturday, if he
is in town and dislikes taking work home to his lovely house, in the plush Sainik Farms
locality, in the outskirts of Delhi. While both husband and wife tend to stay in more, dining
out with friends is one of the few entertainment options available in India. He has got more
Indian friends than expats, mostly people he met through business, like Kanwar Bhutani
of Tupperware.

Both, however, try to find time to play golf at the ITC Golf Course in Gurgaon. It’s a game
Mrs. Pinckney took up in India, since she found free time on her hands, for the first time
in her life. A certified chartered accountant, Mrs. Pinckney used to run her own business
in Australia. Some of that time has been used to learn to cook typical Indian food, butter
chicken, aloo palak, rogan josh and dal makhani. It’s no wonder then that half their meals
are Indian. They’ve adjusted to the spice factor in Indian food. What was hot when they
first came is nothing compared to hot today. “When we travel abroad, we really miss the
spices.”
After all this time in India, they still find it striking that irrespective of which part of the
country they are in, there’s a positive spirit about the people of India. People have hope,
optimism and are generally happy. The respect Indians have for their culture and beliefs is
another factor that the Pinckney’s appreciate.
“Family ties are much stronger here, as is, respect for elders and their wisdom for instance,
girls in our office who talk and dress in a Western way, have no problems accepting
arranged marriages”, says Pinckney.
Pinckney’s gave a grand Indian reception after their daughter’s Australian wedding,
including traditional attire for the bride and groom. “Yet another occasion to break a
coconut, Mr. Pinckney?” we wonder.
Questions
1. How could William H. Pinckney acculturate himself in India?
2. What lessons can Pinckney convey to similar expatriates?

3.2 summary

This unit attempts to give an overview of the functions in as simple manner as possible.
l z Culture is a complex whole that includes knowledge beliefs, art, morals, law, customs and
other capabilities acquired by people as members of society.

l z Values and norms are the central components of a culture. Values are abstract ideals about
what a society beliefs to be good, right and desirable. Norms are social rules and guide
lines that prescribe appropriate behavior in particular situations.

l z Values and norms are influenced by political and economical philosophy, social structure,
religion, language and education.
l z The social structure of a society refers to a basic social organization. Two main dimensions
along with social structures defer are the individual – group dimension and the stratification
dimension.

l z In some societies the individual is the basic building block of social organization. These
societies emphasize individual achievements above all else. In other societies the group is
a building block of social organizations. These societies emphasize group membership and
group achievements above all else.

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