A Critical Analysis of Mainstream Assessment Models in a Cross-Cultural Context White Paper 1 Consulting Global Transformation Services A Critical Analysis of Mainstream Assessment Models in a Cross-Cultural Context White Paper David Sult February 2013
This white paper compares the major cross-cultural models and their usability in a business context. There are several models to choose from, but our research and work with clients in the field indicates that the Universal Consensus Business Model of Intercultural Analysis (BMIA™) has among the strongest applicability for enhancing global business performance. http://www.universalconsensus.com/
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A Critical Analysis of Mainstream Assessment Models in a Cross-Cultural Context White Paper 1
Consulting Global Transformation Services
A Critical Analysis of Mainstream Assessment Models in a
Cross-Cultural Context White Paper
David Sult
February 2013
A Critical Analysis of Mainstream Assessment Models in a Cross-Cultural Context White Paper 2
This is also a scientific and anthropological model, not necessarily tied to
business objectives and performance. It added some additional
dimensions and provided an updated measure of where countries rate on
each dimension.
A Critical Analysis of Mainstream Assessment Models in a Cross-Cultural Context White Paper 6
Cultural Types – The Lewis Model
Background
Richard D. Lewis is a British linguist, cross-cultural communication
consultant, and author. He has developed a model that puts cultures on
three dimensions: linear-active, multi-active, and reactive.
Business Applicability
Lewis’ model is relatively comprehensive and good for an initial overview
of where cultures fall on each axis. Unlike Hofstede and the GLOBE
model, it does not require reading of multiple uncorrelated dimensions. It
has most applicability in understanding cross-cultural communications,
but limited usefulness in other areas. Being high-level, it is somewhat
restrictive, which stops it from providing the full spectrum cross-cultural
factors, and it may be too limited to help provide useful business
optimization insight.
A Critical Analysis of Mainstream Assessment Models in a Cross-Cultural Context White Paper 7
Trompenaars’ 7 Dimensions of Culture
Background
The Seven Dimensions of Culture were identified by management
consultants Fons Trompenaars and Charles Hampden-Turner, and the
model was published in their 1997 book, "Riding the Waves of Culture."
Trompenaars and Hampden-Turner developed the model after spending
10 years researching the preferences and values of people in dozens of
cultures around the world. As part of the study, they surveyed more than
46,000 managers in 40 countries.
The dimensions are:
- Universalism versus particularism - Individualism versus communitarianism - Specific versus diffused - Neutral versus emotional - Achievement versus ascription - Sequential time versus synchronous time - Inner direction versus outer direction
Business Applicability
The model is very comprehensive with significant data to back it up.
Although the model was developed for business application, it is highly
complex. The model is most useful as a general guide when dealing with
people from different cultures. As with previous models, it distinguishes
the differences between cultures, but provides no recommendations on
how to solve cultural disconnects.
A Critical Analysis of Mainstream Assessment Models in a Cross-Cultural Context White Paper 8
Business Model of Intercultural Analysis (BMIA)
Background
The BMIA model has been developed over the last two decades by
Denise Pirrotti Hummel, J.D., a cross-cultural business thought-leader and
the CEO of Universal Consensus, a cross-cultural management consulting
and training firm. The model is objective-centric (focused on the business
objective at hand), rather than ethnocentric. It has been developed,
empirically tested, rolled out, and honed by working with global
corporations and organizations globally. It assesses cross-cultural issues
on an individual and organizational level through six comprehension
lenses that are robust, interconnected, and result in sustainable
transformation. The model has an assessment, awareness, and
optimization component to it.
The lenses of the BMIA model are:
- Cultural Themes - Glocalization - Group Dynamics - Process Engineering - Time Orientation - Communication
Business Applicability
The BMIA framework is in the top tier of business oriented cross-cultural
models of all those compared, as it focuses on both awareness and
business optimization. It is comprehensive yet easy to implement and
understand in its basic iteration. Added layers and continuums under
each lens make it more advanced, and adaptable, than other cross-
cultural models. It can be applied at the lowest echelon of a company
through the most strategic roles, based on the customization of the
assessment model and the training curriculum. It has applicability to
every departmental function and every industry.
A Critical Analysis of Mainstream Assessment Models in a Cross-Cultural Context White Paper 9
Organizational Culture Model The Denison Model
Background
Daniel R. Denison is Professor of Organization and Management at IMD
Business School in Lausanne, Switzerland and the developer of the
Denison Model. The Denison Model is focused on organizational culture
change and provides a guide for organizational change through two
frameworks: The Organizational Culture Model and the Leadership
Development Model. The model is heavily tied to individual character
assessments. The Denison model of organizational culture is widely
known and used in academic research on organizational culture.
Business Applicability
The model is easily understood yet comprehensive when it comes to
organizational culture change. It is both an academic and business-
focused model. It has proved effective in addressing company culture
attributes and informing organization design, but it has no national
culture component and, as such, its utility and specific usefulness in
addressing multi-national cross-cultural issues is limited.
A Critical Analysis of Mainstream Assessment Models in a Cross-Cultural Context White Paper 10
Personality/Self-Assessment Models The Barrett Seven Levels of Consciousness Model
Background
Richard Barrett conceived the Seven Levels of Consciousness model in
1997; the model describes the evolutionary development of human
consciousness. It applies to all individuals and human group structures.
The model is an extension and adaptation of Maslow’s Hierarchy of
Human Needs. The model covers both the internal dimensions of
consciousness - the inner journey into self‐knowledge and meaning, and
the external dimensions of consciousness - the gradual expansion of
sense of identity.
Business Applicability
It is a self-assessment and leadership model rather than an organizational
one. It can perhaps be utilized in a cross-cultural context, but the model
was not developed to enhance cross-cultural skills and has very limited
usability in a cross-cultural context.
A Critical Analysis of Mainstream Assessment Models in a Cross-Cultural Context White Paper 11
Facet5 – Five Factor Model
Description
Facet5 uses the five-factor model of personality, which is a way of
describing the fundamental building blocks of personality. The five-factor
model is based in psychological research and used to give a
comprehensive description of personality and behavior. It is based on a
paper by WT Norman’s in 1963 that described how almost all of the
different personality factors identified by personality.
Business Applicability
This model is excellent for understanding personal differences but it has
no cross-cultural background or component – it is an Anglo-centric model
for understanding personality traits and preferences.
A Critical Analysis of Mainstream Assessment Models in a Cross-Cultural Context White Paper 12
Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)
Description
MBTI is probably the most widely used personality model in the world.
The MBTI assessment is a psychometric questionnaire designed to
measure psychological preferences and how it influences decision-
making. The model was developed by Isabel Briggs Myers in the 1960s
and is based on Carl Jung’s theoretical concepts of ‘preferences.’
The 16 MBIT types are typically referred to by an abbreviation of four