Multinationals are Multicultural Units: Some Indications from a Cross-Cultural Study

This paper makes a case for the value of looking at culture and multinationals from a management and organizational perspective because it is one which could direct greater attention towards culture as a significant factor in future investigation on multinational corporations. We attempt to illustrate that multinationals are fundamentally multicultural units in more ways than one. This paper is based on selected materials from a qualitative study of culture and learning in organizations and management. The study investigated four selected Dutch firms in Thailand using evidences collected through observations and open-ended interviews. All evidences were analysed under grounded theory procedure. Parts of the evidences and theorization from the study are presented in this paper, which begins with two cultural riddles from one of the cases as a backdrop for subsequent discussions. Following the riddles is an abridge version of the key finding of the study-a grounded theory of cross-cultural intelligence. Then the two riddles are revisited, this time to illustrate how the proposed theory could illuminate an understanding of their covert meanings vis-à-vis culture and learning in multinationals. Last, we reinstate how our study and its theoretical and empirical findings can elucidate the central thesis that multinationals are essentially multicultural units.case study, culture, corporate culture, cultural intelligence, multinationals, Netherlands, Thailand

Portrait of an Odd-Eyed Cat: Cultural Crossing as a Trademark for a Dutch-Thai Strategic Alliance

This chapter attempts a step forward in seeking a richer understanding of the dynamics of strategic alliances, specifically when viewed from a cross-cultural perspective. We report selected materials from a study designed to build a theory of culture and learning in organizations based on observations of and open-ended interviews with Dutch and Thai employees working for four selected Dutch firms in Thailand. Here we present one of those cases, a Dutch-Thai joint venture that thrived by weaving together the many intricate cultural webs to achieve a unique pattern of partnership which, metaphorically speaking, became its indispensible trademark. The case illustrates how the three levels of culture – national, organizational, and professional cultures – could all interlace in a real world setting and serve as an instrumental force of success amidst tension in one particular cross-border strategic alliance. First, we adopt a thick descriptive style of case narration to present the case of a Dutch- Thai joint venture, Chuchawal-De Weger Internationaal (CDW), painting a portrait of its origin, evolution and characteristics. Next, we turn to elaborate on the particular issue of cultural crossing, its exact theorized properties, dimensions and implications. Finally, we relate the case of CDW to the proposed theory and conclude with a reflection on how this case and our interpretation of it illuminate the complex role culture can play in the dynamics of strategic alliances.cross-cultural management, culture, qualitative case study, strategic alliance, thick-description

Production and Characterisation of Cyclodextrin Glycosyltransferase from a Locally Isolated Bacillus Sp

Cyclodextrin glycosyltransferase (E.C.2.4.1.19) synthesise cyclic oligosaccharide which is also known as cyclodextrin, from starch. Most of the known CGTases produce a mixture of a-, B- and Y-CD at different ratios. CGTase producing microorganism was isolated from local soils on selective agar medium containing soluble starch which produced clear zones as qualitative measurement of the enzyme present. A total of 250 isolates were collected but only one isolate (Strain MK 6) was selected for further studies based on its highest activity. Strain MK 6 was identified as gram positive rod, motile and produced spore. Biochemical identification using API CHB/E medium confirmed the strain MK 6 was the Bacilllus sp with 85% similarities. CGTase isolated from alkalophilic Bacillus sp. was further characterized. Optimum activity obtained at temperature of 70oC and the enzyme shows a wide range of pH stability ranging from 4 -10 when stored at 4oC for 24 hours and temperature stability ranging from 30oC - 80oC at 1 h incubation period. The CGTase activity was even maintained at 0.4 U/ml at 90oC for 40 min incubation. Prior to optimisation of CGTase production, selection for the best carbon source through detection on modified phenolphthalein method containing different types of starch were performed. Sago starch gave significant result and was used for further optimisation using statistical analysis namely Response Surface Methodology (RSM). The optimal calculated values were 3.34% sago starch, initial pH of 10.15 and agitation speed of 187 rpm; with predicted activity of 2.07 U/ml of CGTase. These predicted optimal parameters were confirmed in the laboratory and the final CGTase activity obtained was very close to the predicted value at 2.56 U/ml. The optimised crude enzyme produced mainly y-CD (61.6% of the total cyclodextrin amount) with only y-CD as minimal product without detection of y-CD

STUDI DESKRIPTIF ANALISIS FAKTOR FESTIVAL QUALITY DJAKARTA WAREHOUSE PROJECT 2014

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengkonfirmasi faktor-faktor Festival Quality pada penelitian sebelumnya yang masih relevan digunakan pada saat ini. Obyek yang diambil adalah festival Djakarta Warehouse Project 2014 (DWP 2014).  Pengolahan data dilakukan dengan menggunakan SPSS 16 for windows. Teknik pengambilan sampel yang digunakan adalah non probability sampling dengan jenis convinience sampling. Jumlah sampel yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah 100 responden. Data di olah menggunakan mean, standar deviasi, dan Confirmatory Faktor Analisis. Penelitian ini menyatakan dari 6 dimensi Festival Quality yaitu (1)Facilities, (2)staff, (3)Comfort Aminities, (4)information, (5)Convenience, (6)Program yang terbagi dalam 31 pertanyaan pada penelitian sebelumnya masih relevan digunakan untuk penelitian. Dari keenam faktor festival quality faktor staff dapat dijelaskan paling baik dengan eigenvalue sebasar 5,450 dan varian explain 82,710 dinyatakan dalam 6 item pernyataan

Kafka's animals between mimicry and assimilation

Abstract In Kafka's literary world, several animals emerge; they belong to an odd and enigmatic fauna, on the edge between violence and artistry but also between stillness and music; according to the writer, scripture represents both the fault and the punishment waiting for the solitary artist. Animals, especially depicted as hordes of small mice or other rodents, also hint to the heterogeneous structure of the Self, who doesn't manage to keep under control all the divisions in his ambiguous dentity. Through opposition between the point of view of the subject, who considers his own isolation as indispensable to carry on writing, and the multitude of escaping small animals, Kafka also expresses and experiences his own impossibility of "description" (Beschreibung). In the meantime, Kafka's animals embody the creatural and unconscious sources of imagination the writer draws from that constantly escape his own control and willingness, pushing forwards into an unknown and inhospitable region, towards the wasteland, the eternal winter that can be identified with scripture. In writing, a deep metamorphosis of the Self takes place. Kafka shares this belief with one of the writers he most admired and considered his master, Gustave Flaubert, who firmly thought that, while writing, one loses his previous identity, becoming someone else, even assuming the appearence of the "otherness". We can state that Kafka's imagery of animals takes to the extreme the paradox and ambiguity the idea of writing relies on, also reproducing, especially, in his hybrid creatures, the feeling of uncertainty and lack of safety of the assimilated Jewish artist

Recommending a productivity model for Singapore hotels: A critical review of productivity models adopted by researchers and hotel operators

The business challenges and intensely competitive environment in today’s economy make productivity a key factor for organizational survival. This paper examines what productivity means to the services industry, in particular, to the hotel industry. This is underpinned by an investigation of the fundamental differences between goods and services and the implications on productivity measurement and control in the manufacturing and services industries. The purpose of this paper is to critically review productivity measurement and control methods used by researchers and hotel operators in order to find a model suitable for the hotel industry in Singapore, taking into consideration the local cultural expectation and legal context