Intercultural Case Study Analysis on Guatemala“En Lak Eck” You are me…-Mayan Proverb

Guatemala Facts

Population: 14.3 million (UN, 2010)

Capital: Guatemala City

Major languages: Spanish, more than 20 indigenous languages

Major religion: Christianity, indigenous Mayan beliefs

Life expectancy: 68 years (men), 75 years (women) (UN)

Monetary unit: 1 quetzal = 100 centavos, $1USD = 7.77 quetzal

*Information obtained from BBC News country profile

Cultural Dimensions

*Geert Hofstede™ Cultural Dimensions

Cultural Dimensions

Guatemala

High Uncertainty Avoidance (UAI) Strict rules, laws,

policies, and regulations High control over

everything

High Power Distance (PDI) High level of inequality

of power High level of inequality

of wealth

*Geert Hofstede™ Cultural Dimensions

United States

Low Uncertainty Avoidance (UAI) Fewer rules Low level of control High Tolerance

Low Power Distance (PDI) High level of equality

of power with government

Cooperative interaction across power levels

Cultural Dimensions

Guatemala

Low Individualism (IDV) ranking

Long-term commitment to the member 'group’

Loyalty in a collectivist culture is vital

The society fosters strong relationships

United States

High Individualism (IDV) ranking

More individualistic attitude

Loose bond with others

Populous is more self-reliant

Look out for themselves

*Geert Hofstede™ Cultural Dimensions

Cultural Dimensions

Guatemala

Moderate Feminism(MAS)ranking

Expressed in the collectivism, nurturing in a group

Less competition among men, more affectionate

Our research found less to support many of the feminist qualities

United States

Moderate Masculinity (MAS) ranking

Boys don’t cry

Competition is encouraged

The strongest win

Money is more important than leisure time

*Geert Hofstede™ Cultural Dimensions

Family

Guatemala

Value the family dynamic

Children depend on their parents for guidance

Family members live in close proximity

Social events are collectivist

United States

Value the nuclear family dynamic

Greater independence from parents

Family members are not expected to live in close proximity

Social events are individualistic

Family

Guatemala

Traditional family dynamic

Families care for elderly relatives

Women marry young in Guatemala and have many children

It is very common for women to give birth at home

United States

Modern family dynamic

Elderly relatives live on their own or in Nursing homes

Women marry older in the US and have less children

It is very common for women to give birth at a hospital

Education

*Obtained from La Republica de Guatemala

Education

Guatemala

60% of population speaks Spanish

40% speak indigenous Mayan languages

Dialects are spoken in many of the rural schools

Educational goal is to become uni-lingual

United States

English is the official language

Education system has instituted bilingual education

Education goal is to decrease high school drop out rate

Education

Guatemala

Enrollment declining

Literacy rate is 69%

In rural areas, even many of those who have attended primary schools are functionally illiterate as adults.

*Encyclopedia Britannica Guatemalan Education

United States

Enrollment required from ages 6-18

Literacy rate is 99%

85% of Americans graduate from high school

Religion

Guatemala

Historically Catholic

Roman Catholic close to 50%,

Protestant 40%, ( high growth in the last two decades)

•http://www.intercultures.ca•Juan Guerrero. El protestantismo y el espíritu del capitalismo. El Tiempo. 08/13/2007

United States

Historically Protestant

Protestant 52%,

Roman Catholic 24%,

Mormon 2%,

Jewish 1%,

Muslim 1%,

Religion - GuatemalaMaximon/"Brother Saint Simon Peter“ :Pre-Columbian Mayan god of the underworld formerly known as Maam ("grandfather"); his modern name is a conflation of Maam and Simon.

Symbolizes: •Male sexual power•brings of rain and fertility•is "the saint of gamblers and drunkards.“•brings wealth and worldly success

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVs2t0tkLaM

Communication

Interpersonal space: City-dwellers often stand about an arms-length away/in the country the distance is often closer.

Conflict and disagreement is avoided in conversation

Obscene gesture: Putting your thumb in between your middle and index finger while making a fist

Interpersonal space: stand about an arms-length

Conflict and disagreement is tolerated within certain limits

Is consider impolite ask how much money each one makes or how much they paid for houses, car, etc.

Obscene gesture: Extending the middle finger outwards

Economy

Guatemala

Less developed country

largely dependent upon traditional commercial crops such as coffee, sugar, and bananas.

More than half of the citizens live below the poverty line.

Informal-workers do not tend, in the medium to long term, to be absorbed by the formal sector.

In 2004 women earn, in average, 519 quetzales (~$67 USD) less per month than men.

*Encyclopedia Britannica, *Maria Jose Paz Antolin (2008)

Economy

United States

Developed country.

the world’s highest Gross Domestic Product (GDP)

Among the greatest powers in terms of GDP per capita.

The service sector accounts for more than ¾ of the country’s jobs.

industrial and manufacturing trades employ less than 1/5 of the labor market.

*Encyclopedia Britannica,

Work

Guatemala

Networking and social connections are crucial: "who you know“

Pride themselves on their cooperative nature. “Compadres” (Molecular structure)

Dignity must be maintained at all times. May claim to understand instructions even when they do not.

United states

Personal credentials play an important role

Self reliance and accountability are highly valued "If you want a job done right, do it yourself,” (atoms interacting with each other)

Having doubts and questions is considered normal - does not affect the personal honor.

WorkGuatemala

Deadlines and timescales are fluid.

Tend to be punctual when attending a meeting.

Invest time in establishing a relationship before focusing on the task.

Meetings: social talk before getting down to business

United states

Agendas are usually followed quite carefully.

Unpunctuality is considered a sign of miss respect - “Time is money”

Trained to be task oriented.  “Keeping your eye on the ball”

Meetings: little or no talking before getting into bussiness.

Work Guatemala

Autocratic managers: not seeking consensus for decisions.

Subordinates do not question managers decisions. They demonstrate deference and respect towards those at a higher level.

High control: well defined roles

*http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/*http://american-business.org/http://www.culturecrossing.net/

United States

Consensus is highly valuated. Majority-rule is common.

Communication employee-employer may be more collegial and, disagreement within limits is encouraged.

Loose control: roles can vary and overlap

Work

Guatemala

Formal / conservative dress at work.

The use of using "tú" for "you" or "usted" for "you”.

With a supervisor it is common to use "usted" followed by the person’s professional title.

United states

Depends on the day of the week / industry.

Usually people are called by their first names.

In formal circumstances: use titles and surnames until you are invited to use the first name.

*http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/*http://american-business.org/http://www.culturecrossing.net/

Politics - Power Distance

History of unrest and violence

Young political system

High Power Distance in State Use of offices Dictatorships Scandals expected Resistance is dangerous

Power Distance not represented High newspaper readership Inconsistent leaders Many political parties

“You have to join up with the mafias to be a successful politician in Guatemala,” - Nineth Montenegro, human-rights campaigner and congresswoman.

Politics - Individualism , Femininity and UncertaintyHigh Collectivism State – in the past?

State owned internet and railway but generally heading in privatization direction since 1996

History of state-private conspiring – United Fruit

Moderately Feminine State Spending on military - Guatemala - .6%, USA 3.0% (1999)

Masculine State Characteristics History of violent disputes Underrepresented women

High Uncertainty Avoidance – Not evidentAn Indictment from the Grave. May 21 ,2009, Guatemala City http://www.economist.com/node/13703911http://www.everyculture.com/Ge-It/Guatemala.htmlCASE STUDY, The Challenge of Women’s Political Participation in Guatemala, Ninth Montenegro http://www.idea.int/publications/wip/upload/montenegro-CS-Guatemala.pdfhttp://www.audiencescapes.org/country-profiles/urban-guatemala/country-overview/newsprint/newsprint-253

Politics References:

Healthcare

Profile

Large power-distance – Fewer doctors, use of nurses and volunteers for state program

Feminine Healthcare System – 10% Private New National Comprehensive Health Care System

(SIAS)

Pan American Health Organization Country Health Profils http://www.paho.org/english/sha/prflusa.htm

Health Care In Maya Guatemala: Confronting Medical Pluralism in a Developing Country, Walter Randolph Adams and John P. Hawkins, Eds. 2007,Norman, OK: University of Oklahoma Press.

http://www.phmovement.org/pha2000/stories/icu.html

Healthcare References:

Guatemala vs. US Healthcare

Guatemala USA

Proportion of population with access to drinking water services

80.3 100

Proportion of deliveries attended by trained personnel (Female)

84.0 99.4

Physicians per 10,000 inhabitants ratio 9.0 27.9

Annual national health expenditure as a proportion of the GDP

5.4 13.1

Healthcare - IndigenousTraditional vs western

New health reform opinions of indigenous

“where the solidarity and complimentarily of our Mayan ancestors is substituted by individualism and competition”

- Hugo Icu, medical doctor of Mayan Kakchiquel origin

This is commonly used in Guatemala to…

A. Ward off negative spirits

B. Increase fertility

C. Adorn a bride on her wedding day

These dolls are used for the following purposes…

A. Stop you from worrying

B. No purpose, they are just for play

C. Teething rings for babies

“Guatemala” means _________ in Mayan tongue?

A. Land of the People

B. Land of Mother Earth

C. Land of Trees

Guatemala invented the first _____ during Mayan times

A. Chocolate Bar

B. Maiz tortilla

C. Rubber Ball

How do you greet an elderly Mayan woman?

A. Bow slightly

B. Hug and kiss on one cheek

C. Grasp forearm and pat

What is the most important ceremonial food?A. Guavas

B. Tamales

C. Canillitas de leche

Click icon to add picture

AnswersC. Adorn a bride on her wedding day

A. Stop you from worrying

C. Land of the Trees

A. Chocolate Bar

C. Grasp forearm and pat

B. Tamale

Matiox!