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Case from journal
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Reference no. JIACS14-07-01
Published by: Allied Business Academies
Published in: "Journal of the International Academy for Case Studies", 2008
Length: 9 pages
Data source: Field research

Abstract

Teaching culture to business students is important, but often challenging. The authors developed this case study to describe the cultural issues and challenges encountered between an Anglo and Latino workforce in the US This case is different from traditional cases that discuss culture in a new or 'foreign' environment because this case is a domestic-based cultural case. This case profiles Dalton, GA home of the world’s carpet and flooring producers. The industry, struggling for labor, actively recruited an able workforce from Mexico and Latin America to augment its local, Anglo workforce. Yet after years of working side-by-side, the Americans are puzzled over the behavior of a large group of Mexican workers in their midst. Specific situations outline the various encounters and behaviors that seem puzzling to both the Anglo and Latino employees. When viewed in the cultural context of the US, these exhibited behaviors violate cultural and social norms as well as common business practices. The case issues become understandable when viewed within the cultural norms of each group as presented in this Teaching Note. The Human Resources Department is unclear how to address the issue facing the company. Students are asked to consider ways to educate the employees in the cultural norms and business practices of each group to improve morale and workplace functioning. Use of this case in various undergraduate international business classes can aid students in understanding the challenges of managing employees form several cultures. The issues of cultural misunderstandings should be generalizable to similar situations with other groups of mixed nationalities. The Latino culture was chosen for this case because it became a growing issue to the community of Dalton, Georgia and was and is experienced in a number of towns in the US, particularly along the U.S. Mexican border, in Arizona, Texas, and New Mexico. The primary subject matter of this case concerns the issues faced in a US company with a large percentage of immigrant Latino workers and the resulting interactions with their original Anglo workforce. The case is appropriate for junior and senior-level business courses. The case is designed to be taught in two class hours and is expected to require one-to-three hours of outside preparation by students.
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Abstract

Teaching culture to business students is important, but often challenging. The authors developed this case study to describe the cultural issues and challenges encountered between an Anglo and Latino workforce in the US This case is different from traditional cases that discuss culture in a new or 'foreign' environment because this case is a domestic-based cultural case. This case profiles Dalton, GA home of the world’s carpet and flooring producers. The industry, struggling for labor, actively recruited an able workforce from Mexico and Latin America to augment its local, Anglo workforce. Yet after years of working side-by-side, the Americans are puzzled over the behavior of a large group of Mexican workers in their midst. Specific situations outline the various encounters and behaviors that seem puzzling to both the Anglo and Latino employees. When viewed in the cultural context of the US, these exhibited behaviors violate cultural and social norms as well as common business practices. The case issues become understandable when viewed within the cultural norms of each group as presented in this Teaching Note. The Human Resources Department is unclear how to address the issue facing the company. Students are asked to consider ways to educate the employees in the cultural norms and business practices of each group to improve morale and workplace functioning. Use of this case in various undergraduate international business classes can aid students in understanding the challenges of managing employees form several cultures. The issues of cultural misunderstandings should be generalizable to similar situations with other groups of mixed nationalities. The Latino culture was chosen for this case because it became a growing issue to the community of Dalton, Georgia and was and is experienced in a number of towns in the US, particularly along the U.S. Mexican border, in Arizona, Texas, and New Mexico. The primary subject matter of this case concerns the issues faced in a US company with a large percentage of immigrant Latino workers and the resulting interactions with their original Anglo workforce. The case is appropriate for junior and senior-level business courses. The case is designed to be taught in two class hours and is expected to require one-to-three hours of outside preparation by students.

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