Volume 15, Number 2 Article by Fran Siemensma June, 2003
One Language, Divergent Meanings: A Study of Indian and Australian Managers :
A shared post-colonial history has given the English language to both India and Australia. Yet, a simple discussion between people from these two cultures may provoke ambiguity or confusion. Language usage provides insight into the similarities and differences between societies/cultures and has been characterised as not merely `descriptive' but `constitutive' of personal identity. Using an approach based on language, Fran Siemensma, an Australian Management academic, conducted a study among students and staff of Indian and Australian MBA programmes, where the respondents expressed their beliefs on the themes of family, identity, individualism and spirituality.
Discussions of themes were both complex and textured, modified by psychological, sociological and demographic factors. The same concepts often evoked similar meanings and emotions in Indian and Australian students but often, the initial appearance of agreement disguised unstated differences. The family was important to both but Indians prioritised family relationships and responsibilities, defining themselves primarily as sons or daughters while. Australians saw families as one of many inter-linkages. The concepts of `life stages' and `pollution' evoked powerful responses from Indian students when related to personal identity. In contrast, the environmental meaning of `pollution' was shared in both countries.
While most Indian students were keen to share their views on `spirituality', recognising it as a less threatening topic than religion, the majority of Australian staff and students, considered it both strange and inappropriate to discuss spirituality in relation to the practice of business or education. Many Indian students and academics felt that religious belief should be separated from management theory and some saw indigenous Indian models based on traditional writings as promoting a divisive Indian nationalism, and a threat to objectivity and secularism. Western management theory was perceived to promote more equitable business.
While this psycho-social, cultural perspective on cross-cultural engagement may be discussing `themes considered unsuitable for discussion in polite society', the intention is to provoke an ongoing dialogue which confirms shared beliefs, values and expectations so as to engage with, and resolve `misapprehensions' about the `other'.
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