This volume explores the notion that foreign cultures are not arbitrarily or randomly different from each other; rather they are mirror images of each other's values, reversals of an order and sequence of looking and learning.

"...You will gain fascinating insights into literature , philosophy, economics, ancient and modern history and obscure Japanese films. It is not like a management book at all. I recommend it." (Daily Telegraph, 7th December 2000) "There are lots of fascinating stories about how we differ, and we are encouraged to respect all forms of diversity. The book will give people working internationally a deeper level of understanding of the issues, pitfalls and potential ways to reconcile cultural differences at work." (People Management, 7th December 2000) "This book really does have some excellent material in it and there is much to be gained from reading it." (European Business Forum, January 2001) "The authors write beautifully and this work is one of the most clearly and elegantly written management books in many years...." (Journal of General Management, Vol. 26/3, Spring 2001) "I have read many books on the topic. Few have been as brilliant, creative or useful. Building Cross-Cultural Competence is in a league of its own." (CISV Interspectives (A journal on Transcultural Education) Vol.18, 2001) "...essential reading for all concerned with the challenges of global intercultural management..." (Long Range Planning, Vol.34 2001)

Autorentext
CHARLES HAMPDEN-TURNER graduated from Cambridge and received his MBA and DBA from Harvard Business School. In the USA, he received a Guggenheim Fellowship and and Rockefeller Humanities Fellowship. He is the author of eighteen books and widely recognised as one of today's key business thinkers. FONS TROMPENAARS is an internationally acclaimed authority on cultural diversity. He was recently identified by Human Resources magazine as one of the world's five top management gurus to watch out for in the new millennium. He is author of Riding the Waves of Culture, Understanding Cultural Diversity in Business and 21 Leaders for the 21st Century.

Klappentext
Human creativity and innovation are infinitely variable. Opposing values are complementary and reconcilable. Understanding this leads to better decisions and creates wealth. Advance praise for Building Cross-Cultural Competence "Beautifully written and well organized...initiates a new category of cultural studies" --Russell L. Ackoff, Author of Creating the Corporate Future "It's a remarkable combination of intellectual theory and practical advice which must be invaluable to any businessman trying to comprehend the complexity of the global market-place. I've no doubt that it will have an important influence on management thinking"--Anthony Sampson, Author of Mandela and Company Man "Illuminates the darkness around the elusive concept of 'culture' with a rich theoretical texture, and with powerful illustrations...thoroughly engaging"--Warren Bennis, Author of On Becoming a Leader and Organizing Genius "An entertaining and erudite book...with proper understanding of Hampden-Turner's concepts and Trompenaars's rich research findings, many a manager could prevent disastrous decisions."--Arie de Geus, Author Of The Living Company

Zusammenfassung
The whole is harmony, not discord. Based on fourteen years of research involving nearly 50,000 managerial respondents and on the authors' extensive experience in international business, this book compares the cultural values of more than forty nations.

Inhalt
Introduction. Universalism-Particularism: The Dilemma. Reconciling Universalism and Particularism: Stories and Cases. Individualism-Communitarianism: The Dilemma. Reconciling Individualism and Communitarianism: Stories and Cases. Specificity-Diffuseness: The Dilemma. Reconciling Specificity and Diffuseness: Stories and Cases. Achieved-Ascribed Status: The Dilemma. Reconciling Achieved with Ascribed Status: Stories and Cases. Inner Direction versus Outer Direction: The Dilemma. Reconciling Inner and Outer Direction: Stories and Cases. Sequential and Synchronous Time: The Dilemma. Reconciling Sequential and Synchronous Time: Stories and Cases. Appendix 1 - Dilemma Theory and Its Origins. Appendix 2 - Exercises in Reconciliation. Appendix 3 - Measuring Transcultural Competence: Old and New. Questionnaries. Appendix 4 - The Space Between Dimensions. Bibliography. Filmography. Index.