Nowadays, exchange programs are becoming increasingly popular among students all over the world. Thanks to high-quality education, the United States are much desired destination, the Czech Republic attracts Americans with its great location in the heart of Europe and rich history. Cultural values in American society are however in many respects way different from the ones we share in Czech environment. Therefore cultural shock can appear when a student decides to move to another country in order to study there. Understanding cultural differences is essential for successful interaction with local individuals. The main topic of this thesis is the concept of cultural standards defined by Alexander Thomas, applied on university study environment in the Czech Republic and the USA. The aim was to identify Czech-American cultural standards in the study environment from the perspective of Czech university students who studied in the US at least for one semester and US-Czech cultural standards from the perspective of students from the USA. Identified standards were then compared with theoretical conclusions from research of cultural dimensions done by Fons Trompenaars and Geert Hofstede. At the end, recommendations are written for students of both nationalities, which should help them to integrate into foreign environment and eliminate potential culture shock.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-03-15T19:26:05Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Cleide Nakashima.pdf: 1727077 bytes, checksum: 76327f037787caf57766ce9326cff764 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-07-23 / The presence of foreigners follows emerging economies, especially in Brazil where multinational companies grows on account of investments and business strategies. However, the production of knowledge about expatriation is still incipient and this research seeks to contribute to new reflections and discussions on the subject. The theme is broad and explored by several authors in Brazil and abroad for the international academics through various lenses ranging from intercultural issues to anthropological spheres. This research discusses the theory of Cultural Standards by Thomas (2010) with the overall objective of identifying the implications of Cultural Standards perceived by German expatriates to cultural adjustment in the Brazillian context. For this, categories of analysis were used concerning the transcultural adaptation of expatriates, proposed by Black and Stephens (1989). The work consisted of a qualitative research conducted by nine interviews, in which the reports were analysed and categorized. As a result, we identified ten German Cultural Standards about Brazilians involving the lack of fulfilment of promises agreed, the lack of systematic planning, lack of precision of information, informal and personalized relationships, apparent availability, bureaucratic processes, centralization of power and values such as cunning and the Brazilian jeitinho (way). The two main implications of these Cultural Standards found were the lack of trust and the feeling of the Germans of not being welcomed by the Brazilians. / A presença de estrangeiros acompanha as economias emergentes, principalmente no Brasil onde a presença de empresas multinacionais cresce por conta de investimentos e estratégias de negócios. No entanto, a produção de conhecimento sobre expatriação ainda é incipiente e este trabalho procura contribuir para novas reflexões e discussões sobre o assunto. O tema é amplo e explorado por diversos autores no Brasil e no exterior por diversas lentes que vão desde as questões interculturais até esferas antropológicas. Este trabalho aborda a teoria dos Padrões Culturais Avaliativos de Thomas (2010), com o objetivo geral de identificar as implicações dos PCAs de brasileiros percebidos por expatriados alemães, para a sua adaptação transcultural no contexto brasileiro. Para isso, foram utilizadas as categorias de análise relativas à adaptação de expatriados, propostas por Black e Stephens (1989). O trabalho consistiu em uma pesquisa qualitativa, desenvolvida com nove entrevistas, cujos relatos foram analisados e categorizados. Foram identificados dez PCAs de alemães sobre brasileiros que envolvem a falta de cumprimento de promessas acordadas, a falta de planejamento sistemático, imprecisão da informação, relacionamento informal e personalizado, disponibilidade aparente, processos burocráticos, centralização do poder e valores como esperteza e o jeitinho brasileiro. As duas principais implicações encontradas desses PCAs foram a falta de confiança e o sentimento de não acolhimento dos alemães pelos brasileiros.

The disertation work focuses on currently highly observed issue of intercultural cooperation. Following the change of social situation the topic has become both a practical issue and a subjekt of research study. It compares and analyzes crosscultural and intercultural approach and criticizes both approaches for supporting social stereotypes, especially thein negative aspects. It further emphasizes social psychological aspects of the issue, particularly social perception, social groups, hierarchical structure and organization of joint activities as systemproducing and meaningful source of mutual relationships. Supporting this by own research in ŠKODA AUTO it perceives such perspective as very efficient since it is based on practical experience and it also aims at practical problems. Key words: Social perception, social groups, organization of common activities, crosscultural and intercultural approach, cultural standards. Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org)

Made available in DSpace on 2016-03-15T19:30:59Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Helga Midori Iwamoto.pdf: 1288715 bytes, checksum: 3835305abb102e22e5249c8c254ba6a6 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-05-10 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / The differences between national cultures have been studied by a variety of authors. These differences have implications for management. Some of these differences between national cultures are more subtle, especially in cases of contiguous countries with common history. In these cases, there are authors who suggest that the Cultural Standards (PCAs Padrões Culturais Avaliativos in portuguese) constitute a more appropriate approach. There is a precedent of a cross-cultural study involving Brazil in a comparative study of Brazilian and Portuguese s PCAs. In intra-cultural contexts, there is the possibility of using this approach as performed in studies involving the PCAs of West and East Germany. In the Brazilian context, there are not intra-cultural studies using the approach of PCAs. Using the approach developed over the work of Hofstede for the study of differences between national cultures, there is a previous study on the differences between regional cultures in Brazil. The present study aimed to examine the implications of PCAs differences between Maranhão and Minas Gerais people for the management in organizations in Palmas-TO. To achieve this goal, the PCAs for the Minas Gerais people perceived by Maranhão people and vice versa were identified, based on the approach developed by Alexander Thomas. Next, the implications of the PCAs differences between employers and employees from Minas Gerais and Maranhão for management issues in Palmas-TO were identified. As results, the PCAs of individuals from Minas Gerais and Maranhão were categorized into four axis: Survival and Rise Social, Health and Eating Habits, Styles of Conflict Management, Community Life and Ethics and Solidarity. The PCAs that generated implications for management to entrepreneurs from Minas Gerais were related to the axis "Survival and Social Ascension" and "Health and Eating Habits". The implications for management to entrepreneurs from Maranhão, in turn, were derived from PCAs axes "Styles of Conflict Management" and "Survival and Social Ascension." / As diferenças entre culturas nacionais têm sido estudadas por uma variedade de autores. Estas diferenças possuem implicações para a gestão. Algumas destas diferenças entre culturas nacionais são mais sutis, principalmente em casos de países contíguos, com histórico em comum. Nestes casos, há autores que sugerem que seja mais adequada a abordagem dos Padrões Culturais Avaliativos (PCAs). Há o precedente de um estudo intercultural envolvendo o Brasil num estudo comparativo entre os PCAs de brasileiros e portugueses. Em contextos intra-culturais, há a possibilidade do uso desta abordagem como realizado em estudos envolvendo os PCAs das Alemanhas Ocidental e Oriental. No contexto brasileiro, não há estudos intra-culturais utilizando a abordagem de PCAs. Utilizando a abordagem desenvolvida ao longo da obra de Hofstede para o estudo de diferenças entre culturas nacionais, existe um estudo anterior sobre as diferenças entre culturas regionais brasileiras. O presente trabalho tem por objetivo analisar as implicações para a gestão das diferenças de PCAs entre maranhenses e mineiros que trabalham em Palmas-TO. Para alcançar este objetivo, procedeu-se à identificação dos PCAs relativos aos mineiros percebidos pelos maranhenses e vice-versa, com base na abordagem desenvolvida por Alexander Thomas e outros teóricos da área. Em seguida, foram identificadas as implicações das diferenças de PCAs entre empregadores e empregados, tanto mineiros quanto maranhenses, para a gestão em Palmas-TO. Como resultados, os PCAs de mineiros e maranhenses foram categorizados em quatro eixos: Sobrevivência e Ascensão Social, Higiene e Hábitos Alimentares, Estilos de Gestão de Conflitos, Vida em Comunidade e Ética e Solidariedade. Os PCAs que geraram implicações para a gestão por empresários mineiros vincularam-se aos eixos Sobrevivência e Ascensão Social e Higiene e Hábitos Alimentares . As implicações para a gestão por empresários maranhenses, por sua vez, foram provenientes de PCAs dos eixos Estilos de Gestão de Conflitos e Sobrevivência e Ascensão Social .

The diploma thesis is focused on identification and mutual comparison of Czech-British and Slovak-British cultural standards at work environment. The main goal of the thesis is to define British cultural standards from both sides, from the Czech one and the Slovak one, and then to compare, whether the information from qualitative research corresponds with theoretical assumptions. The next goal is to find out how much different is the view on this topic from the Czech and from the Slovak perspective, if it is different. At the end of the thesis will be proposed a few suggestions, how Czech and Slovak should prepare for a longer staying in the United Kingdom in order to avoid possible cultural misunderstandings.

The purpose of this diploma thesis is to describe the features of the American culture by analyzing the cultural standards, use them for comparison with the Slovak culture and create a set of recommendations for easier adaptation of the Slovaks in the United States. The work is divided into three parts - theoretical, practical and empirical. In the theoretical section we define the concept of culture, cultural standards and cultural dimensions, and on this basis we compare the features of the American and Slovak culture. The practical part describes the characteristics of the USA - national symbols, history, geography, religion, population, economy, political system, basic features of the US market, the impact of globalization and the specifics of the US business environment. The empirical section uses a questionnaire survey to examine the American culture from the Slovak point of view. The result of this thesis is a manual created with the use of the synthesis and comparison methods.

Despite a close geographical position to the Czech Republic, there are vast differences between the Czech and British cultures. Commonly after arriving in Britain, many Czech nationals experience a cultural shock and do not understand the behaviour of the British people. The same can be said about Britons arriving in the Czech Republic. This makes it important to understand the cultural differences to help both nationals interact successfully with one another. This Master thesis focuses on cultural standards, a concept made by Alexander Thomas. Therefore, this report aims to define the Czech-British and British-Czech cultural standards, whilst comparing them with the theory and then to apply them in a cultural-historic framework. This report will hypothesise that the defined cultural standards do not differ from the standards analysed within the book by Karel Čapek. Other hypothesis of this thesis is: Many Britons see Czech people as over-caring and anxious. In conclusion to this report, the author will provide recommendations to both Czech nationals travelling to Great Britain and also the same for British descendants arriving within the Czech Republic.

The aim of this thesis is to identify and more closely analyse Italian cultural standards, specifically from the perspective of Czechs and Slovaks, who came to a closer and more extended contact with the Italian culture. Identification of these standards was based on in-depth personal interviews and the theoretical part of this thesis. This part is focused on terms such as culture, intercultural communication, culture shock, cultural dimensions and standards. The practical part of this work is dedicated to the research itself and its evaluation as well as Italy per se, its history, culture, economy or demography. This work can also serve anyone in closer personal of professional contact with this culture.

Research of intercultural communication and management phenomena has been rising since 1950s. At that time the researchers acknowledged the importance of the role of culture in international relations. Purpose of this diploma thesis is to unhide culturally influenced perception and behavior of French in application to business. Basic characteristics of French culture were identified based on study of researches of recognized researchers in this field i.e. Geert Hofstede and Fons Trompenaars. Further characteristics of the culture were examined in the sample of 12 interviewees using quantitative research methods. They were willing to dedicate their time and share personal working experience in relation with French whether in France or in direct working relation in Czechia. Barriers of communication between both cultures were confirmed by the research as existing and therefor the study of cultural differences was justified. The results of the research are presented in form of recommendations for Czechs and sum up the established phenomena.

The main aim of this diploma thesis is to indentify German and Austrian cultural standards and the second aim is to confirm or disprove the given hypotheses. The first part is theoretical and defines the theoretical basis of this topic. It deals with Czech-German and Czech-Austrian business relationship. Then it describes the main aspects of culture, cultural dimensions and standards. The practical part describes the chosen methodology, which were interviews mostly with Czech business representatives who trade with Germany and Austria. In the last part the research and the given hypotheses are evaluated. The thesis is recommended as study material for business representatives who will be in contact with Germans or Austrians.