Exploring the Complex Perception of National Culture

Abstract

This chapter delves into the complex perception of national culture within cross-cultural management. It critiques the essentialist views that regard national culture as static and homogeneous, emphasizing instead the dynamic interplay of historical, social, and political forces that shape national identity. The chapter traces the origins of essentialist perspectives, highlighting influential thinkers like Durkheim, Jung, Schmitt, and Parsons, who contributed to these views during the colonial era. It critiques their theories for perpetuating a static and exclusionary understanding of culture and identity. The text discusses how cross-cultural management emerged as an academic field, initially embracing essentialist views for their simplicity in explaining cultural differences. Influential models like Hofstede’s cultural dimensions reinforced these views by categorizing national cultures into binary scales, often favoring Western countries. The chapter highlights the extensive critique of Hofstede’s model for its ethnocentric biases and lack of empirical rigor. The chapter advocates for incorporating postcolonial perspectives in management practices, emphasizing the need to understand culture as dynamic and constructed through power relations. It explores postcolonial theories by scholars like Said, Bhabha, Spivak, and Mignolo, who challenge colonial legacies and advocate for decolonizing knowledge and management practices. These theories highlight issues of otherness, mimicry, and cultural hybridity, offering deeper insights into the experiences of marginalized communities. The text also examines internal colonialism within contemporary societies, drawing parallels between traditional colonial practices and the exploitation of immigrant communities in Western countries. It underscores the need for a critical reimagining of management and organizational practices to promote social change and address power imbalances.

Citation

Moulettes, A. (2024), "Exploring the Complex Perception of National Culture", Borders and Barriers: Navigating the Postcolonial Era of Migration in a Globalized World, Emerald Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 33-57. https://doi.org/10.1108/978-1-83549-526-120241003