Ecological (Country) Cross-Cultural Database

This is our primary database in which we have captured cross-cultural data over a 20 year period and serves to explain the differences in meaning that individuals give to their interaction with other people, with time and their environment.

The source data contains the diagnosis of meaning clustered into our seven dimensional model of culture. Single or multiple queries can be constructed using a wide variety of variables. Other than the country variable, these include: gender, age range/generation, job function, business/industry sector etc.

As well as simply "describing" cultural differences, the conceptual framework originating from this database provides an underpinning of all our work and is fundamental to structuring the cultural knowledge and experiences of our participants.

The database contains:

• approximately 100,000 records
• more then 100 countries
• longitudinal data (shows cultural changes over 20 year period)
• has been subject to rigorous testing and statistical analysis for reliability
• incorporated into many of our software tools (e.g. the CCOL - cultural compass online)

Sample data

This database serves to provide benchmark comparisons: e.g. individual versus country norms

As well as simply 'describing' corporate cultural differences, our database provides an underpinning of our work on mergers and acquisitions, identity, globalization, corporate social responsibility and future sustainability. This unique rich source of intellectual capital is fundamental to building winning cultures.

• approximately 100,000 records
• wide spectrum of industry types and sectors (public and private)
• longitudinal data (shows cultural changes of many Fortune 500 companies over 20 year period)
• has been subject to rigorous testing and statistical analysis for reliability
• incorporated into many of our software tools (e.g. for Integrated Scorecard)
  

New extended corporate culture database

We are currently extending our database to be more discriminating based on our extended model in which the original quadrants are now sub-divided in to 12 segments. These segments also show cultural components that hinder as well as support organizational effectiveness.

We have captured, analyzed and coded some 6,000 dilemmas that owe their origin to competing values, including from both national and organization cultural differences. Clustering reveals frequently re-occurring dilemmas characteristic of different industry sectors for the relevant paradigm (e.g. recent merger, developing a diversity strategy, seeking to become a values driven organization etc).

The database includes quantitative assessments of the business imperative for resolving these frequently occurring dilemmas and strategies for their reconciliation together with resource and other implications.

Whilst different cultures share the same dilemma, the starting point for how they approach the dilemma is culturally determined.

The example shows the tension between local teams and the need for a pan-European common approach and how different cultures begin to approach the dilemma before the two competing demands are reconciled.