Crystal Heier
BUS1101 – Principals of Business Management
University of the People
Paola Zarama
September 6, 2016
Culture Shock Experienced By Managers Who Work Abroad
With current advances in communication, transportation and management, International trade has rapidly become a very prevalent and successful form of business. With nations expanding trade outside of their borders’, known as globalization, businessmen and women are being required to adapt to foreign lands, foods, customs, situation, cultures, languages, and ethics outside of their comfort zones. The barriers faced are broadly known as culture shock. By formal definition culture shock is, “a state of bewilderment and distress experienced by an individual who’s suddenly exposed to a new or foreign social and cultural environment,” (Dictionary.com, 2016). Culture shock is an issue companies are continually trying to navigate in order to successfully lead employees, teams and business both abroad and at home.
Some effects associated with culture shock are rather obvious. As humans we are emotional beings. Consequently managers and their employees working abroad may feel a range of distracting emotions. They may be concerned or worried for their family back home. Stress about …show more content…
With training and preparation many of the obstacles that accompany culture shock may be avoided. It is important that companies manage this well, both for employee satisfaction and for international business success. Globalisation is making the world a smaller place. With goods and services reaching all corners of the earth, it is imperative that companies maintain ethical standards for their employees and in practice, if they want to be a reputable