Martin J. Gannon

This outstanding volume examines the importance and usefulness of metaphors as a way of understanding national cultures. The research translations include not only limited empirical studies in which specific hypothesis are tested, but also larger, more expansive works published as books and groundbreaking articles. The often-overlooked views of political scientists and journalists who conceive of the world in terms of zero-sum game theory are explored, as are the issues of the symbolism associated with cultural metaphors. The book concludes with a description of specific uses of cultural metaphors or metaphorical applications.

Readings, Research Translations, and Commentary

Cultural Metaphors

Ken G. Smith

Curtis M. Grimm

This book focuses on the actions and reactions of companies as they interact with one another and strive for advantage. Using actual data and case studies from the highly competitive airline, high technology, insurance and banking industries, the authors develop an original communication-information model which provides an effective method to explain, measure and even predict the ways in which firms compete in the marketplace. The theoretical contributions presented are backed up by a wealth of data, case studies, examples and illustrations.

Dynamics of Competitive Strategy

Rajnandini Pillai

In the fully updated Sixth Edition of Understanding Global Cultures: Metaphorical Journeys Through 34 Nations, Clusters of Nations, Continents, and Diversity, authors Martin J. Gannon and Rajnandini Pillai present the cultural metaphor as a method for understanding the cultural mindsets of individual nations, clusters of nations, continents, and diversity in each nation. A cultural metaphor is any activity, phenomenon, or institution that members of a given culture consider important and with which they identify emotionally and/or cognitively, such as the Japanese garden and American football. This cultural metaphoric approach identifies three to eight unique or distinctive features of each cultural metaphor and then discusses 34 national cultures in terms of these features. The book demonstrates how metaphors are guidelines to help outsiders quickly understand what members of a culture consider important.

Metaphorical Journeys Through 34 Nations, Clusters of Nations, Continents, and Diversity

Understanding Global Cultures

In Understanding Global Cultures, Fifth Edition, authors Martin J. Gannon and Rajnandini Pillai present the cultural metaphor—any activity, phenomenon, or institution with which the members of a given culture identify emotionally or cognitively—as a method for understanding the cultural mindsets of individual nations, clusters of nations, and even continents. The book shows how metaphors are guidelines to help outsiders quickly understand what members of a culture consider important. The fully updated Fifth Edition includes 31 nation-specific chapters, including a new Part XI on popular music as cultural metaphors, two completely new chapters on Vietnam and Argentina, revisions to all retained chapters, and a more explicit linkage between each cultural metaphor and current economic and business developments in each nation.

Metaphorical Journeys Through 31 Nations, Clusters of Nations, Continents, and Diversity

Understanding Global Cultures: Metaphorical Journeys Through 31 Nations, Clusters of Nations, Continents, and Diversity

Why do Western negotiators constantly complain that Chinese negotiators are both very sincere and very deceptive? This paradox is one of aproximately 80 explored in Paradoxical Reasoning. Paradoxical Reasoning answers two major questions that provide the underlying rationale for the book. What is a paradox, and why is paradoxical reasoning critical for understanding culture in a globalizing world? As used in the book, paradox is defined as the simultaneous existence of two or more inconsistent and sometimes contradictory elements. Each paradox is phrased as an arresting but simply-understood question to increase reader involvement, such as "Nationalism and globalization?" and "Nations are becoming more and less powerful simultaneously?"

Paradoxes of Culture and Globalization

“This is a significant book... for a multitude of audiences, including scholars, practitioners, students, expatriates, travelers, and those who are simply interested in culture... This book is also an ideal reference tool, since the metaphors are easy to remember yet rich in contextual value and are presented in a logical structure for quick consultation. Overall, this book is enormously appealing, genuinely useful, and a worthy addition to any collection.” -Thunderbird International Business Review (2002) In Understanding Global Cultures, Fourth Edition, authors Martin J. Gannon and Rajnandini Pillai present the cultural metaphor as a method for understanding the cultural mindsets of individual nations, clusters of nations, and even continents. The fully updated Fourth Edition continues to emphasize that metaphors are guidelines to help outsiders quickly understand what members of a culture consider important. This new edition includes a new part structure, three completely new chapters, and major revisions to chapters on American football, Russian ballet, and the Israeli kibbutz. New and Continuing Features: Emphasizes clusters of national cultures and variations within each cluster, as well as both topic-oriented (authority-ranking cultures, market-pricing cultures, etc.) and cluster-focused descriptions Includes three new parts: India, Shiva, and Diversity; Scandinavian Egalitarian Cultures (Sweden, Denmark, and Finland); and Other Egalitarian Cultures (including Canada and Germany) Provides three completely new chapters: Finnish Sauna, Kaleidoscopic India and Diversity, and a final integrative summary chapter Integrates chapters through the frameworks of the GLOBE study, the Hofstede study, Hall, and Kluckholn and Strodbeck Highlights religious and ethnic diversity throughout Ancillaries Instructor Resources are available on a password-protected website at www.sagepub.com/gannon4instr. These include applications, discussion questions, model examinations,100 exercises, and suggested syllabi. Qualified instructors may contact Customer Care to receive access to the site. Understanding Global Cultures: Metaphorical Journeys Through 29 Nations, Clusters of Nations, Continents, and Diversity is appropriate for courses in International Business and Management, Strategic Management and Planning, and Cultural Studies.

Martin J. Gannon

Books

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