How Would You Describe the Respective Attitudes of Martin and Green: Ethnocentric, Polycentric, or Geocentric?
2. How would you describe the respective attitudes of Martin and Green: ethnocentric, polycentric, or geocentric? What factors do you suspect of having influenced their respective attitudes?
Charles Martin has a geocentric attitude while James Green’s attitude is ethnocentric. While in college, Martin majored in African studies. Upon graduation, he served in the Peace Corps in Kenya. During this time, he became accustomed to business procedures in Africa. He really enjoyed working in Kenya, but he soon began to cultivate a dislike for individuals who did not try to learn and respect other cultures. Martin was hired by HG as the project liaison specialist for the Ugandan project because he had experience with African economy and business atmospheres. From his education and experience in African culture, Martin developed knowledge of how things were done in African culture (Uganda) and how things should be done, hence his geocentric attitude. He developed a level of respect for Ugandan culture. Unfortunately, Martin seemed to have taken this respect to an extreme; he was a bit too keen to adopt Ugandan ways. Martin seemed to make decisions before examining the possible consequences, such as if the decision was borderline illegal or unethical in his home-country.
Green, on the other hand, had never conducted business in Uganda prior to this project; therefore, he was not familiar with African culture. While trying to maintain home-country policies, Green maintained an objective stance while conducting business in Uganda; he believed that it was important to uphold HG’s company values. While Martin’s attitude and actions were strictly based upon Ugandan culture, Green’s primary goal was following company and home-country procedures and accepting cultural variations that were necessary to perform business.
3. Who was right, Green or Martin, about Martin’s more controversial actions in facilitating the project? How might things have turned out of
Charles Martin has a geocentric attitude while James Green’s attitude is ethnocentric. While in college, Martin majored in African studies. Upon graduation, he served in the Peace Corps in Kenya. During this time, he became accustomed to business procedures in Africa. He really enjoyed working in Kenya, but he soon began to cultivate a dislike for individuals who did not try to learn and respect other cultures. Martin was hired by HG as the project liaison specialist for the Ugandan project because he had experience with African economy and business atmospheres. From his education and experience in African culture, Martin developed knowledge of how things were done in African culture (Uganda) and how things should be done, hence his geocentric attitude. He developed a level of respect for Ugandan culture. Unfortunately, Martin seemed to have taken this respect to an extreme; he was a bit too keen to adopt Ugandan ways. Martin seemed to make decisions before examining the possible consequences, such as if the decision was borderline illegal or unethical in his home-country.
Green, on the other hand, had never conducted business in Uganda prior to this project; therefore, he was not familiar with African culture. While trying to maintain home-country policies, Green maintained an objective stance while conducting business in Uganda; he believed that it was important to uphold HG’s company values. While Martin’s attitude and actions were strictly based upon Ugandan culture, Green’s primary goal was following company and home-country procedures and accepting cultural variations that were necessary to perform business.
3. Who was right, Green or Martin, about Martin’s more controversial actions in facilitating the project? How might things have turned out of