Final essay help

ac1d1ty

ac1d1ty

ac1d1ty

Associate
Joined
26 Jan 2007
Posts
2,462
I am so exhausted its not even funny.


Been awake for so long, and have one final push before I can have a sleep and prepare myself for my last batch of work.


Anyway, at this stage i'm a little slow and was wondering if you could give any ideas to have a look at. Again not asking to be told what to do, just some opinions, guides etc.


Imagine you are the CEO of a UK firm and are thinking of establishing an overseas subsidiary in the USA and Japan. What problems and opportunities associated with “cultural differences” do you think your company might face in developing a successful strategy? Refer to some of the main theories of culture (including Hofstede) to help you answer your question.
 
I would personally refer to the main theories of culture, including Hofstede.

I just googled Hofstede and got a good idea of how I would answer that questions I don't even have no idea what course your doing.
 
Last edited:
Having no expertise in this field whatsoever I can only offer:

mistrusted by public there.
no brand image/trust developed.
more unique point of market entry.

Can't really think of anything else, never given it much thought, seeing as I'm not the CEO of my own UK firm looking to expand overseas... :rolleyes:
 
ac1d1ty said:
Thats the reason. I'm stuck as to whether they are looking for something academic or opinion based.
Click to expand...

Well I imagine it would be your opinion based on these "main theories of culture", look at each of the points on Hofstede's wiki page and just explain why working your business model around each of these points depending on culture is important and why they can cause problems for companies expanding oversea's due to having to follow them, maybe expanding into the consequences of not following them if you have some words to make up.
 
Last edited:
Fenris said:
Well I imagine it would be your opinion based on these "main theories of culture", look at each of the points on Hofstede's wiki page and just explain why working your business model around each of these points depending on culture is important and why they can cause problems for companies expanding oversea's due to having to follow them.

It's actually a rather straight forward question really, your basically just describing a few bullet points in detail.
Click to expand...

There are loads of ideas rattling around in my mind, I just can't concentrate enough to get a format to set it up in :(

2 days and counting without sleep. Never done this much work before.
 
ac1d1ty said:
There are loads of ideas rattling around in my mind, I just can't concentrate enough to get a format to set it up in :(

2 days and counting without sleep. Never done this much work before.
Click to expand...

Ah that's the problem. Simple solutions:

Write down each idea in a simple one sentence form, something like "how importance of colours varies" or "Willingness of a culture to accept new ideas" etc etc, then go through them and decide which ones you can write about in the most detail (without rambling)

Quality > Quantity, pick a few items you can really explain well, much better than having loads of points but not really showing that you understand them.
 
What is the name of the course/module you are doing

What is the name of the degree you are doing

Talk about all the cultural theories, few quotes and few examples, and an intro/conclusion and thats probably 3000 words easy

The way i did it, is to make a rough plan what are the "factors" or different opinions.. come up with about 5-6 main points.. I.e 5-6 different theories or 5-6 different steps or conditions, i.e economic, political and social for example

Then i would expand on each point a few lines of jibba jabba

Write the 5-6 paragraphs, then write an introduction then the conclusion, thats how i do it
 
Last edited:
Start local, (I assume your doing strategic management) pick a product you wish to sell. This will give you basis for expansion.

Then simply list all of the cultural differences between UK / USA / Japan.
Keep listing until you cannot reach any more, this will pad out your essay. But creating this list it should be very easy to incorporate Hofstede thesis as this is basically all he does. Expand on his rules of international trading also.

My degree had something similar to this, I think it's easier than you think. Just break it down. Baby steps!

Simples!
 
ac1d1ty said:
Thats the reason. I'm stuck as to whether they are looking for something academic or opinion based.
Click to expand...

Personally I would state what the academic view on one theory is, and then criticize it. Point out its pros and cons and how it could be better. And do this for each theory. If you're not happy how any of them explain the issue, put down your own opinion as well.

At least that's what I would do for a history essay.
 
ac1d1ty said:
Thats the reason. I'm stuck as to whether they are looking for something academic or opinion based.
Click to expand...

Read up on the theory in the question, look at other peoples theories in relation to the question... form an argument based on this, add your own opinion supported by said theories..

If you can't do this your way to tired.. and your not helping yourself by not sleeping at this point... you will end up writing rubbish.. I would suggest if you have been up for two days that you get some sleep now and come back a little refreshed..

Make sure that you sleep in 1 1/2 hour periods this way you shouldn't feel so bad waking up again.. if you have two alarm clocks (or a dual alarm clock) even better.. set an alarm to go off quietly 15 mins before the end of the last 1 1/2 hour period.. if you take 3 hours sleep now you can get up early afternoon, get some food and feel much better
 
Last edited:
meh, still awake. Beyond tiredness now. Been to a few lectures and seminars, so ready to get properly started on this essay.


Any other tips people can offer?


\o/
 
You should start by defining what you understand "cultural differences" to mean, as any misunderstanding here could lead to your entire work being misunderstood. It might also help you think about what some of those cultural differences might be, and how that would affect your overseas expansion.

Make sure you write down everything you know about Hofstede, whatever that is, regardless of whether you think it's relevant or not.

Use examples of strategies you might want to make as CEO, and state what specific cultural differences may be good or bad for that particular strategy. 2-3 examples should be sufficient to demonstrate your understanding.

You didn't say if you have a word limit or not, but if you have one, make sure you go over it a little bit.
 
Last edited:
When you say a successful strategy, you mean business strategy, yes?

How is your business going to be perceived by the new culture?

Does history show that certain products/companies are wanted in this new country?

Is the culture welcoming to other cultures?

Seems like there is quite a lot you could write about.

I also think you should get some sleep, little point in writing when really tired as you'll be more likely to make mistakes.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom