Definition

In this document you found a few definitions of culture. You may have heard of or read some others. You may use for instance internet to find some more. Now you may use these building blocks to draft your own definition.

This definition may be used (implicitly or explicitly) when you are reading more about culture, developing your understanding of the concept.

Response

Ultimately, culture has as many definitions as the number of people on Earth, because each of us is a unique combination of all the cultures of all the groups s/he is or was a member of.

The mind-map also shows a series of ‘official’ definitions. These definitions vary at least in three different ways: according the discipline; the focus on behaviour, thinking or both; and the level of culture (national cultures, organisational culture, team culture and even individual culture).

Triangle

This exercise aims at a better understanding of what culture is for you, in particular your cultural backpack. The triangle model describes four layers of culture: national cultures, cultures of larger groups like organisational culture, cultures of smaller groups and individual culture (the net combination of all cultures you have ever been exposed to). Describe yourself (in cultural terms) on these four levels.

On the national level you may think of the influence of national culture and how do you fit in? In terms of organisational culture you may think about the desirable working environment and the degree to which you have found it. And how do you like working in a team? Ultimately you may face you yourself as the unique combination of all cultures of all groups you have ever been a members of; from small to large groups and from rather specific to rather intangible. You may obtain a better understanding of culture and how it influences you. The better it is, the better you also grasp the idea of dealing with cultural differences.

Exercises