Describe the dynamics of culture as a multi-level, multi- layer construct.

Describe the dynamics of culture as a multi-level, multi-
layer construct.

Question Posted / joyeeta

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Describe the dynamics of culture as a multi-level, multi- layer construct. ..

Answer / anuj

The proposed model consists of two building blocks. One is
a multi-level approach, viewing culture as a multi-level
construct that consists of various levels nested within
each other from the most macro-level of a global culture,
through
national cultures, organizational cultures, group cultures,
and cultural values that are represented in the self at the
individual level, as portrayed. The second is based on
Schein’s (1992) model viewing culture as a multi-layer
construct consisting of the most external layer of observed
artifacts and behaviors, the deeper level of values, which
is testable by social consensus, and the deepest level of
basic assumption, which is invisible and taken for granted.
The present model proposes
that culture as a multi-layer construct exists at all
levels – from the global to the individual – and that at
each level change first occurs at the most external layer
of behavior, and then, when shared by individuals who
belong to the same cultural
context, it becomes a shared value that characterizes the
aggregated unit (group, organizations, or nations).
In the model, the most macro-level is that of a global
culture being created by global networks and global
institutions that cross national and cultural borders. As
exemplified by the effort of the Davos group discussed
earlier, global organizational structures need to adopt
common rules and procedures in order to have a
common ‘language’ for communicating across cultural borders
(Kostova, 1999; Kostova and Roth, 2003; Gupta and
Govindarajan, 2000). Given the dominance of Western MNCs,
the values that dominate the global context are often based
on a free market economy, democracy, acceptance and
tolerance of diversity, respect of freedom of choice,
individual rights, and openness to change (Gupta and
Govindarajan, 2000). Below the global level are nested
organizations and networks at the national level with their
local cultures varying from one nation,