Foundational Articles on Cultural Understanding

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  1. “The Dimensions of Culture” by Geert Hofstede
    • Source: Hofstede Insights
    • Summary: Introduces Hofstede’s cultural dimensions theory (e.g., individualism vs. collectivism, power distance) used globally to analyze and compare cultures.
  2. “Cultural Relativism vs. Ethnocentrism”
    • Source: Cultural Survival or academic anthropology platforms
    • Summary: Explores how different societies view each other’s values and practices, emphasizing empathy and non-judgment.

🧭 Practical Cross-Cultural Communication

  1. “The Culture Map: Breaking Through the Invisible Boundaries of Global Business” by Erin Meyer
    • Source: Harvard Business Review / book excerpts
    • Summary: Offers a framework for understanding workplace culture differences in communication, feedback, trust, and leadership.
  2. “How Different Cultures Understand Time” by Richard Lewis
    • Source: BBC Future
    • Summary: Explores monochronic vs. polychronic time perception and its impact on scheduling, punctuality, and business.

🛖 Deep Dives into Regional Cultures

  1. “Understanding Arab Culture: A Primer for Westerners”
    • Source: Al Jazeera, Brookings, or World Economic Forum
    • Summary: Examines hospitality, religion, honor, and family in Middle Eastern cultures.
  2. “Cultural Codes of East Asia”
    • Source: The Diplomat or Nikkei Asia
    • Summary: Looks at Confucian values, indirect communication, and hierarchy in China, Japan, and Korea.
  3. “Ubuntu: The African Philosophy of Community and Humanity”
    • Source: The Conversation
    • Summary: Explains the African value system focused on shared humanity — “I am because we are.”

🧠 Behavioral and Social Psychology

  1. “Individualism and Collectivism in a Global Context”
    • Source: APA or JSTOR
    • Summary: Discusses how group affiliation shapes decision-making, identity, and loyalty across cultures.

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