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BUSM3005 Intercultural Perspectives_11013623
Comparing the Colombian versusthe German Culture
Introducing a cultural artefact: the Colombian Emeralds
The emerald stone is strongly linked to Colombias national identity and is an
item that the country is most proud about. It symbolizes the prestige and wealth
that Colombia offers to the world. Colombia is by far the worlds largest
producer of emeralds and is featured in the Guinness Book of World Records with
the largest emerald in the world at 7,025 carats (Fine Colombian Emeralds, LLC
2011). According to Bonnie Hamres article Emerald of Colombia, emeralds
from Colombia set the highest standard of quality worldwide. The unique beauty
of a Colombian emerald lies in its intense colour and visual recognition of
structure and size. The most important characteristics of these precious stones
are the purity of the emerald and the visual transparency. The more vivid its
green colour, the more valuable is the emerald.
The colour green also has significant meaning in many other cultures and
religions. For example, it is the holy colour of Islam and it also holds a high status
in the Catholic Church. Green is a colour that identifies Colombia as much as the
colours of its flag. It is the green of the native grassland, the mountains and
natural reserves, the Amazonian forest and the dense jungle (Proexport
Colombia 2012). The green colour of the emerald is so unique, that there is a
colour, which Colombians call emerald green.
Colombian emerald has been mined and traded across Central and South
America by the aboriginal Indians, long before the early Spanish settlersappeared. Tribes such as the Mayans, Aztecs, Toltecs, and Incas, as well as the
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Chibchas used the precious gemstones mainly for ceremonial ornaments (Roskin
2003). The emerald has been treasured as a symbol of eternal spring and
immortality. According to an Indian mythology, stated in the homepage of
Esmeralda Gems Inc, the name emerald was first translated from Sanskrit as
marakata, meaning the green of growing things. The name as we know it
now is believed to have come from an ancient Greek word, translated into Latin
as smaragdus, and eventually over time, evolved in to emerald. Before the
Colombian mines were discovered the only known source of emeralds for Europe
and Asia were Cleopatras Egyptian deposits. After the discovery the Egyptian
emeralds were considered to be only of historical significance (Esmeralda Gems
Inc 2010).
The emerald gemstone is a birthstone of May, and symbolizes Loyalty,
Faithfulness and Love. It is said to be a stone dedicated to Venus, the Goddess of
Beauty, and to give its possessor a power to express the sincerity of his/her love.
It is a traditional gift for weddings and anniversaries and thought to be essential
to everlasting love by couples, but are also said to change colour in times of
infertility (Wickell 2012).
The price of an emerald depends on the quality and rarity. The quality is
measured based on the 4 Cs (color, clarity, cut and carat), like diamonds. Theprice for lower quality emeralds can range from $10-$80 per carat. Emeralds of
commercial quality, those which can be found in most emerald jewelleries, prices
vary greatly and can reach a few thousand dollars per carat, based on the size
and the 4Cs. Beyond that, very fine emeralds are priced from $1,000-$50,000
per carat (Embassy Emeralds 2007).
Many of the gold and emerald encrusted items the indigenous tribes created are
displayed in the Museo del Oro and in the The International Emerald Museumin Bogota. There are three main Emerald mining areas in Colombia: Muzo,
Coscuez, and Chivor, in the north-western part of departamento of Boyaca and
Cundinamarca (Proexport Colombia 2012).
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Introducing the two countries (facts, figures and
history)
1.1 Colombia
Colombia was one of the three countries that emerged from the collapse of Gran
Colombia in 1830 (the others are Ecuador, Venezuela). The country is located in
Northern South America between Panama and Venezuela and it is the only South
American country with coastlines on both the North Pacific Ocean and Caribbean
Sea (CIA 2012). Spanish is the official language and spoken throughout the
country, but there is also a variety of Indigenous languages. The main religion in
Colombia is Roman Catholic with 90% of the population, 9% includes Protestants,
Jewish, Muslim and Mormon. Only 1% of the population still follow Indigenous
religions. Colombias major ethnic group are mestizos (58%), following by 20%
white, 14% mulatto, 4% black, 3% mixed black-Amerindian, 1% Amerindian (CIA
2012).
Colombias government is a republic with one of the oldest democracy traditions
in Latin America (CIA 2012). With over 46 million people Colombia has the
second largest population of any Spanish-speaking countries in the world, after
Mexico. Colombia is a middle power, and now has the fourth largest economy in
Latin America, and the third largest in South America. (Caribean Islands News
2012).
1.2 Germany
Germany is a federal parliamentary republic and is located in west-central
Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea and the North Sea, Austria, Belgium, Denmark,
France, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Poland and Switzerland (CIA 2012). The
official language of the country is German. With 34% each, Protestant and
Roman Catholic are the main religion, but there is also 3.7% Muslim and 28.3%
unaffiliated or other. Germanys inhabitants consist of: 91.5% Germans, Turkish
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2.4%, other 6.1% (e.g. Greek, Italian, Polish, Russian, Serbo-Croatian and
Spanish). With 81.8 million inhabitants, Germany is the most populous country of
all the member states in the European Union. Germany is one of the major
political and economic powers of the European continent and a historic leader in
many theoretical and technical fields (CIA 2012). Germanys economy by
nominal GDP is 4th largest in the world and it is the third largest exporter and
importer of goods. The country has developed a very high living standard and
features a comprehensive system of social security.
Intercultural Communication
As per Halls Context Model, Colombia is classified as a high context-culture and
this is characterized by an indirect approach in communication (Costalas 2009).
Colombians care what others might think or how they may react whilst
communicating, so they are careful not to offend (Culture Crossing 2012).
Because of this, it is common that you may have to read between the lines to
understand what is being communicated as Colombians are often reserved
about sharing their opinion. Often it is recommended to use a similar indirect
approach when dealing with Colombians in order to avoid a negative perception,
like being rude or pushy (Katz 2008). Once a strong relationship has been
established, communication may become more direct and honest. Katz (2008)
also adds, that in business situations people tend to be more direct than in
formal or social environments and if they dont like a proposal, it is not a problem
to say no. Colombians often use lively gestures and body language in order to
underline what is being said and depending on the region it can be stronger. Eye
contact should be very frequent, as this conveys sincerity and helps build trust.
As per Mead et al. (2009), Germany is classified as a low-context culture that
follows the ideal to be honest, even if it hurts. Honesty is appreciated and
expected. Germans have the most direct communication in the world and dont
use much context surroundings. They like to be very clear and tend to talk about
facts all of the time. They try to avoid being misunderstood in any case.
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Cultural differences according to Hofstedes Cultural
Framework
1.3 Power Distance
Colombia shows a large degree of power distance on the scale of Hofstedes
Power Distance Index (67). Inequality of status and wealth in Colombian society
has long been tolerated as a social norm and therefore accepted as a way of life.
These inequalities created a hierarchical order in which everybody has a place
and which needs no further justification (Hofstede 2012). For example, most
Colombian companies tend to be very hierarchical, and people are expected to
work within clearly established lines of authority. Germany on the other hand isamong the lower power distance countries (scored at 35), as a highly
decentralised society and supported by a strong middle-class. Germany does not
have a large gap between the wealthy and the poor, but have a strong belief in
equality for each citizen (Law Teacher 2012). In Germany, subordinates are
expected to be consulted. A direct and participative communication is common.
1.4 Individualism vs. Collectivism
Colombia is among the most collectivistic cultures in the world, hence belongingto a group and aligning yourself with that groups opinion is very important
(Hofstede 2012). Before closing any deals, Colombians often find it highly
essential to establish strong bonds, build lasting and trusting personal
relationships. People in Colombia usually want to do business with people they
already know, like and trust (Katz 2008). Looking at the German society on the
other hand, it is an individualistic one. Hofstede explains that families in
Germany tend to be small and more focused on the parent-relationship rather
than aunts and uncles and extended family. In Germany people focus more on
personal achievements and individual rights. Germans expect that each person
fulfils his/her own needs. Group work is important, but everyone has the right of
his/her own opinion and is expected to reflect those.
1.5 Masculinity vs. Femininity
Colombias society is a very masculine society. Colombians are driven and
competitive, success and status orientated. Likewise, Germany is a masculine
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society. Performance is highly valued and required from early on in education
(Hofstede 2012).
1.6 Uncertainty Avoidance
Colombia's highest Hofstedes Dimension is Uncertainty Avoidance, ranked at 80. The
country has adopted strict rules, laws, policies, and regulations in order to minimize or
reduce the level of uncertainty and to avoid the unexpected. However, rules are not
necessarily followed, depending on the opinion of the group, if the rules are applicable to
their members (International Business Centre 2012). Germany is also among the
uncertainty avoidant countries, scored at 67 (Hofstede 2012). Germany favours stability
and avoids risk. In order to avoid the uncertainty, Germans like to plan everything
carefully and rely strongly on rules, regulations and laws (Law Teacher 2012).
Trompenaars and Hampden-Turner: The Car Accident
Trompenaars and Hampdens case scenario The Car Accident leads to the
identification of whether a country represents a Universalism or Particularism
Culture. According to Meadow et al. (2010), the Universalist approach is: what is
good and right can be defined and always applies. Whereas the particularists
approach, gives far more attention to the obligation of relationships and unique
circumstances. In the Car Accident scenario, you will be confronted with the
dilemma of whether to follow the good and right way or to bend the truth put
your friendship first.
According to Trompenaars and Hampden-Turners research, Germany has been
classified among the countries with a Universalistic cultural approach. In
Germany there is a strong connection between laws/regulations and practices.
Rules and discipline give stability to life and reduce uncertainty; however work
and career tend to be over regulated. Sticking to the rules is seen as
professional behaviour in the world of work and career. In general, Germans
display compliance to the authorities; they are reliable, with a strong sense of
responsibility and expect others to behave the same. They are often serious in
nature and in business and tend to be ridged in their mannerisms (especially in
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careers, demanding power roles). Because of this, Germans are often perceived
as being uptight.
The opposite can be said for Colombians, the reason being that Colombia a
particularistic culture. Judgments in Colombia tend to focus on the nature of thepresent circumstances, rather than the general rule. Colombians would not think
twice before helping a good friend.
Trompenaars and Hampden-Turners Dimensions of Culture help us to
understand the difference in cultures and why some people behave or react in a
certain way.
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