Managing the multicultural laboratory, Part I: Tools for understanding cultural differences.
This article will help laboratory managers better manage their culturally diverse employees by explaining what is meant by "culture" and by presenting a research-based model for assessing the different values, attitudes, and behaviors exhibited by those of different cultural backgrounds. The useful cross-cultural data presented come from an exciting research analysis compiled by Dutch social psychologist and management consultant, Dr. Geert Hofstede. This multi-national corporate study compared the cultures of more than 40 nationalities using four different cultural characteristics. As members of an empirically based profession, laboratory professionals should welcome some hard data about a soft subject. This model will enable laboratory managers to understand their own cultural biases and will interpret some of the attitudes and behaviors of those with different national or ethnic backgrounds. By understanding the elementary principles of culture and by replacing outdated stereotypes with educated generalizations, clinical laboratory managers can take a vital step toward becoming effective multi-cultural managers.
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D001083:Arabia / Q000208:ethnology; D001213:Asian / Q000523:psychology; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D005006:Ethnicity / Q000523:psychology*; D005060:Europe / Q000208:ethnology; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D017056:Medical Laboratory Personnel / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000523:psychology; D010559:Personnel Management / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends; D011287:Prejudice; D012945:Social Values; D014481:United States