A Cross Cultural Perspective on Individualism and Collectivism Orientations

Abstract

Individualism-collectivism measures, along with decision styles, were examined between two cultural groups of participants: Americans and Arabs. The American group participated in MBA executive programs, while the Arab group participated in international management development programs. American participants scored higher than their Arab counterparts on individualism, but less on collectivism measures. Participants in both groups displayed a strong preference for consultative and participative styles and determined that these two styles were the most effective in practice and that their immediate supervisors were consultative and participative. Similar constructs in each category were significantly and positively correlated, but negatively related to opposite measures.

Key Words:

• Cross-cultural management
• individualism-collectivism
• American managers
• Arab managers
• work orientations
• comparative management
• managerial decision styles
• American management
• Arab management