Saudi Arabia and the UK: Cultural Differences

Saudi Arabia and the UK: Cultural Differences Cultural Differences The Variance of the countries and peoples is the culture of customs and traditions, and every country has its particular culture, whether if it is in the East or West. A culture of community is meant by patterns of social behaviour such as customs, believes, literature, arts, history , heritage, language, dress and everything relates to that sort. These cultural elements are combined to form a society characterized by special type to signify it from the rest of other communities. Not only that, but also, the culture of the community is thought of its members and determined its orientation.Unfortunately, only few people understand and appreciate cultural differences of other countries. In fact, they are unaware of the differences until they face the reality of a total different society, then they suffer from the inconvenience and conflicts of such customary habits. For further understanding, I will discuss in the following paragraphs cultural similarities and differences between Saudi Arabia and United Kingdom. The main similarity between the two countries, they are both kingdoms, however UK is headed by a queen (Elizabeth the second) while kingdom of Saudi Arabia headed by king Abdullah. UK has an elected prime minister ,who is rolling the country, while Saudi Arabia the king himself is the also prime minister and rolling the country. Furthermore, there is an education similarity in teaching science, math and physics, while difference exists in the education system, where in UK is divided into two systems: schooling and home education, Home education has always been common among the countrys elite. The Royal Family have all in the past been educated at home, including the current Queen, though more recently royalty have attended various public schools (anon 2008). Since this system is common in the past years, and even today, many parents would like to teach their children at home, as that kind of education does not exist in Saudi Arabia. Another educational difference between the two countries is clear in education system. Where as in UK males and females attend school together while in Saudi Arabia males and females attend completely separated schools. In terms of jobs, most of Saudi women prefer to be housewives and to raise children rather than working , because family gathering and interdependence of family in the Eastern societies is very important Of the communities. On the contrary.UK women do not give accord priority to marriage and having children. Women in the UK are equal to men in employment and jobs, where is the state encourages female employment, and there are several researches in this regard, as mentioned in Turgoose and Hall research . The vast majority of the women intend to increase their participation in work and some of them would like to increase the hours of work, in addition non working women would like to join the labour market. ( Turgoose and et al., 2006). Some countries have different religion that distinguishes them from other countries. Religion of Islam is the official Saudi Arabia , and is owed by all the people of Saudi Arabia , while the official religion in the United Kingdom is Christianity, but not all the people believe in god. Recent study Crabtree (2007) showed that about 72% were Christian, and 66% of the population has no actual connection to any religion or church. And in the last quarter of a century, half of all Christians stopped going to church. At the same time, there are some similarities between the two countries, where both allow the existence of other religions through the living outside the country, in Saudi Arabia there are a lot of Indians, and western people, as same in the UK there is many foreign nationalities and allows them to perform their religious rites freely. For religion, every religion has its special celebrations. Muslims in Saudi Arabia have special occasions such as Ramadan, Hajj and Eid. As for UK people, there many occasions to celebrate, such as Charismas, new-year day, Easter, Labor Day, and so on. Every occasion has its own special food that distinct it from rest of the events. In Saudi Arabia, Ramadan has a distinctive cuisine, such as kabsah, sambosa and other special food. In UK, Christmas and new year day are famous for turkey dinners, Easter characterized by its eggs. Another common difference, Transport in the UK has more advanced than Saudi Arabia, where they are using buses, trains and underground add to cars and vehicles. However, in Saudi Arabia cars is the only means of mobility and there are few buses, also there is only one Train station linking the capital Riyadh with Dammam city. But there are advanced studies on the establishment of many of the trains in the future, which is a joint project for construction of a railway link between Jeddah and Makkah and Madinah called The Haramain High-speed Railway (HHR), as it mentioned in the article (2009). In conclusion, it is clear that multiplicity of similarity between the two countries cultural aspects, there are some differences .It is noted that the culture of people in any country varies from one to another, and it is related to history, climate, religion, and some other un-seen factors. Cultural differences between countries exist, but due to usage of the new technology and with globalization and the spread new media tools, we will learn a lot of other countrys culture even if we are unable to visit it. Fast and easy transportation and modern technology facilitate people contacts which spread well under standing for other people cultures. By doing so, minor differences become smaller with time. Being open minded, and neglecting minor cultural differences, will bring different people together, which may result in spreading peace and more understanding between people of same planet EARTH. References Anon (2008) A short history of Home education [online]. home-education. Available from: http://www.home-education.org.uk/article-history-of-he.htm [Accessed 22 August, 2009] Anon (2009) Haramain High-speed Railway Saudi Arabia Architecture [online] .e-architect . Available from: http://www.e-architect.co.uk/saudi_arabia/haramain_high_speed_railway_stations.htm [Accessed 24 August, 2009] Crabtree, V. (2007) Religion in the United Kingdom Diversity, Trends and Decline [online].vexen. Available from: http://www.vexen.co.uk/UK/religion.html [Accessed 24 August, 2009] Turgoose, C. Hall, L. (2006) Encouraging an increase in the employment of women returners in areas of skill shortage in traditionally male industries [online] University of Sheffield. Available from: http://www.berr.gov.uk/files/file28572.pdf [Accessed 23 August, 2009] Bibliography Hofstede, G. (2008) Cultural Differences in Teaching and Learning [online] . FUHU conference on Education and Training in the Multicultural Classroom Copenhagen. Available from: http://fuhu.dk/filer/FBE/Arrangementer/Denmark%20Unlimited%20080508/FBE_geert_hofstede_teaching_learning.pdf [Accessed 21 August, 2009] Vaara, E. (2000). Constructions of Cultural Differences in Post Merger Change Processes:A Sensemaking Perspective on Finnish-Swedish Case [online] Helsinki School of Economics and Business Administration. Available from: http://www.management-aims.com/PapersMgmt/33Vaara.pdf [Accessed 20 August 2009]

Two Men and a Truck

After reading the case study Two Men and a Truck, I have concluded that the motivational theory used by Mary Ellen Sheets was the goal setting theory. When using the goal-setting theory, employees are motivated when they have a specific goal to complete. Mary Ellen sheets set these goals and encouraged her franchises. Her goal was to have all the franchises have a good experience considering that this is an industry known to cause stress. Two Men has a computer lab where the franchisers are able to check their colleagues spending patterns as well as communicate with each other. This allows them to see what is working and what is not, to help them to be successful. Mary Ellen Sheets business approach to creating high-performing teams within the company was to create consistency within the company. She created Stick Men University, which allowed the franchise owners as well as their employees to learn everything that she has learned. This includes learning the basics such as answering a prospective client’s first call to shaking their hand after the job is completed. Mary Ellen Sheets went as far as building a two-story house at the University to help the franchise owners and employees simulate moving challenges and work through them. After reading the case study Siemens, I have concluded that the motivational theory used by Klaus Kleinfeld was the job enrichment theory. When using this theory, employees who have control over how they performed their job or how they manage their job, are motivated to work better. Klaus Kleinfeld negotiated with the employees to work flexible shifts. He explained to them that this would help to accomplish the work more quickly and cost effectively. By accomplishing this goal, the company would make more money. This would then give the employees more money and job security. These are two big motivators, which would have employee’s performance increase. Klaus Kleinfeld’s approach to creating high-performing teams within Siemans was to encourage the employees to work together to get the job done. Many companies are outsourcing jobs to other countries as a more cost efficient option. Klaus Kleinfeld knew it was important for the employees to work together to be able become more cost efficient. This would allow them to keep their jobs instead of their jobs moving to another country. Klaus was able to motivate the employees to pull together, because he was very open with communication with the employees. He would answer emails from employees immediately, even if it were late at night. This type of leadership is what allowed him to be able to accomplish this.

The Characteristics of the Hallmarks of Scientific Research

Questions 1. Describe the hallmarks of scientific research. There are eight characteristics of the hallmarks of scientific research which are purposiveness, rigor, testability, replicability, precision and confidence, objectivity, generalizability and parsimony. Purposiveness is the manager has started the research with a definite aim or purpose. Rigor is connotes carefulness, scrupulousness, and the degree of exactitude in research investigation. Testability is a property that applies to the hypotheses of a study. Replicability is having more faith in the findings of a study if the findings are replicated in another study. Replication demonstrates that our hypotheses have not been supported merely by chance, but are reflective of†¦show more content†¦7) Interpretation of data: Process of arriving at conclusions by interpreting the meaning of the data analysis result. Example: Based on research results, top management concluded that reduced the preparation of raw materials caused by the presence of the parties who conduct fraud by way of reduction in the number of inventories of raw materials that have been defined. 3. One hears the word research being mentioned by several groups such as research organizations, college and university professors, doctoral students, graduate assistants working for faculty, graduate and undergraduate students doing their term papers, research departments in industries, newspaper reporters, journalists, lawyers, doctors, and many others professionals and nonprofessionals. In the light of what you have learned in the chapter, which among the aforementioned groups of people do you think may be doing â€Å"scientific† investigations in the areas of basic or applied research? Why? 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Definition and Examples of Linguicism

Linguicism is discrimination based on language or dialect: linguistically argued racism. Its also known as  linguistic discrimination.  The term was coined in the 1980s by linguist Tove Skutnabb-Kangas, who defined linguicism as ideologies and structures that are used to legitimate, effectuate and reproduce an unequal division of power and resources between groups which are defined on the basis of language. Examples and Observations English linguistic imperialism is one sub-type of linguicism. Linguistic imperialism on the part of the speakers of any language exemplifies linguicism. Linguicism may be in operation simultaneously with sexism, racism, or classism, but linguicism refers exclusively to ideologies and structures where language is the means for effecting or maintaining an unequal allocation of power and resources. This could apply, for instance, in a school in which the mother tongues of some children, from an immigrant or indigenous minority background, are ignored, and this has consequences for their learning. Linguicism is also in operation if a teacher stigmatizes the local dialect spoken by the children and this has consequences of a structural kind, that is, there is an unequal division of power and resources as a result.(Robert Phillipson, Linguistic Imperialism. Oxford University Press, 1992)Systemic linguicism may appear whenever the official education framework impedes individuals belonging t o a particular language group in the exercise of rights enjoyed by other students. Moreover, discrimination may take place whenever the state without an objective and reasonable justification fails to treat differently persons whose linguistic situations are significantly different. On the other hand, a government that has no comprehensive data on the linguistic composition of the state population scarcely can provide evidence for the objectiveness of its language policy. . . .[F]undamentally, linguicism is a matter of depriving people of power and influence due to their language.(Pà ¤ivi Gynther, Beyond Systemic Discrimination. Martinus Nijhoff, 2007)Overt and Covert Linguicism- There are different forms of linguicism. Overt linguicism is exemplified by the prohibition of the use of particular languages for instruction. Covert linguicism is illustrated by de facto non use of certain languages as languages of instruction, even if their use is not explicitly forbidden.(William Velez , Race and Ethnicity in the United States: An Institutional Approach. Rowman and Littlefield, 1998)- Linguicism can be open (the agent does not try to hide it), conscious (the agent is aware of it), visible (it is easy for non-agents to detect), and actively action oriented (as opposed to merely attitudinal). Or it can be hidden, unconscious, invisible, and passive (lack of support rather than active opposition), typical of later phases in the development of minority education.(Tove Skutnabb-Kangas, Linguistic Genocide in Education, or Worldwide Diversity and Human Rights? Lawrence Erlbaum, 2000)Promotion of Prestige Varieties of English[I]n English teaching, varieties deemed more native-like are promoted as more prestigious for learners while localized varieties are stigmatized and suppressed (see Heller and Martin-Jones 2001). For example, in many post-colonial countries like Sri Lanka, Hong Kong, and India, schools insist on teaching British or American English. The varieties use d in everyday life, such as Sri Lankan, Chinese, or Indian English are censored from classroom use.(Suresh Canagarajah and Selim Ben Said, Linguistic Imperialism. The Routledge Handbook of Applied Linguistics, ed. by James Simpson. Routledge, 2011) See also: Linguistic ImperialismAccent Prejudice  and  Dialect PrejudiceDrawlEnglish-Only MovementLanguage MythLanguage PlanningMultilingualismNative SpeakerismPrestige