The Interplay of Internet and Culture: Impact, Influence, and Operational Conflicts

1. Discuss how the Internet and culture interact. Which most affects the other and how? Give some examples.

2. Discuss the types of operational conflicts that could occur in an international context because of differences in attitudes towards time and individualism. Give examples relative to specific countries.

3. Identify three stereotypes that foreigners typically hold about Australians. Why do you think they might hold these stereotypes? Identify three cultural stereotypes that you hold (about foreign cultures).

1.Internet and culture are two interdependent entities if considered from the perspective of contemporary standards. Internet has limited the scope for communication which has resulted in interaction between various cultures. The internet has created interactive platforms such as social media and blogging which enable individuals from distinct corners of the earth to communicate efficiently with little or no emphasis on intercultural differences. The applications of the internet for unconventional purposes such as business marketing and education have also created ample scope for integration of social variables . The use of internet has created awareness among various individuals and has also created platforms for interaction between individuals from diverse cultures. Interaction between people belonging to different cultures could result in flexible translation of necessary elements of cultures among one another. Use of emails and video conferences could be assumed as profound examples of internet’s impact on culture.

On the other hand culture has impacted certain ways in which the internet operates. The design of websites has been changing according to cultural preferences of target audience. Cultural implications have also resulted in modification of social media platforms over the years as they try to integrate elements of multiple cultures which could improve the efficiency of internet platforms. The increasing concern for information privacy can be considered as an example of cultural impact on the internet.

2. Punctuality signifies the credibility of a person’s character and indicates a favorable representation of character. The punctuality of a person is indicative of their concern for other individuals and in countries where people do not pay attention to punctuality, late coming would not be reprimanded. Therefore the variations in attitude towards time could create substantial friction between two distinct cultures and hence attitudes towards time can be considered as a foremost determinant of operational conflicts. The example of time differences can be found in North and Latin America . While individuals in North America are apprehensive of punctuality, the people in Latin America are somewhat irresponsive to time-keeping. Therefore operational conflicts are bound to arise when a Latin American organization shifts bases to North America or vice-versa.

Individualism is treated as a favorable entity in certain contexts which require the skill set of a single professional while collectivism is necessary for accomplishing organizational objectives and goals. The preference for individualistic attitudes in a collectivist society could lead to operational conflicts. For example, China does not support individualism and hence employees are assumed to work with team spirit in order to achieve collective goals as well as personal development.