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Nhlanhla Sibisi
Student (University), Germany
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360 Appraisal Versus Indigenous Systems and Culture
In South Africa we have an indigenous traditional culture called Ubuntu (which is also referred to as 'The African Way').
I am curious as to how can you carry out an appraisal within societies that have a strong belief in their own way of evaluating performance?
Obviously my thinking is that the appraisal tools discussed here are steeped in 'western culture'.
How best can one apply appraisal tools within an international company that operates in China, rural Africa or Asia, or in religious environments, etc.
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Hemant Desai
Management Consultant, India
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Cultural Variables Very interesting question whose application is not limited only to the appraisal system, but most other topics which touch motivation. Culture seems to be a dependent variable for understanding motivation. Current management education is mainly based on American / European experiences and studies.
It looks like customization for some sections of HRM / OB is necessary outside of these regions.
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Nhlanhla Sibisi
Student (University), Germany
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Cultural Variable to the Appraisal System I guess it will be a quite a challenge to research an appraisal system that takes experiences of a given culture, adapt it to what is suited and becomes applicable to that country. However, international corporates will have to structure this.
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Aderoju Ogunlana
Student (Other), United States
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Impact of Culture I suppose this is where the importance of diversity and inclusion comes into play. Because one appraisal system works in one culture doesn't mean it will work in another setting where people have a different mindset. However, I have used the 360 degree feedback in Nigeria and have come to appreciate it as an effective tool for measuring performance. As long as it is a transparent process and done as often as possible. Every culture appreciates transparency.
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Mark Cicotello, United States
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Culture and Appraisal System My insight is limited because of my lack of knowledge of the "African way". However, my experience with other cultures has taught me to begin the process with a common objective (assess performance), then move on to what we mutually share, then end with how we differ.
It is a simple approach but my guess that a solution the is co-designed with a common objective can overcome culture differences.
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V. L. KHUZWAYO, South Africa
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Culture and Appraisal System Regarding the culture of Ubuntu by Nhlanhla Sibisi, as a South African, I am of the view that indigenous as this culture may be but the approach can be modifiable. Its promotion of collectivism is paramount without losing the element of respect especially in the institutionalized set-up. This is where individuals have some diverse roles to play into one objective. It then cannot be difficult to align the good intentions of this philosophy to any appraisal tool with the same good intentions. Individualism per se saves very little purpose within an organisation where teamwork is deemed an important tool.
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Jean Claude Perrault
Manager, South Africa
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Role of Culture in 360 Degree Feed Back Ubuntu or not, in order to be competitive a company and its employees have to operate under certain ethical and business principles. Attributes can always be modified to make allowance for local customs as long as it does not conflict with sound business ethics.
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Vijay Jassal
Entrepreneur, India
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360 Degree Feedback in Cultures Having worked in various geographies and about 14 nationalities over 8 years and my experience is that the "basic human values" are the same, yes methodologies differ, like Ubuntu in Africa. And I got success every time by ensuring the following:
1. No allowance made on attributes
2. Objectivity in defining the attributes
3. Matrix evaluation.
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Thomas N. Meriwether
Professor, United States
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Initial Analysis Any 360-appraisal should begin with a sound analysis as to the knowledge, skills, and abilities possessed by excellent performers in the job at hand.
It is this initial analysis that should reflect tailoring to the culture or society within which the job is performed.
Similarly, I suspect cultural sensitivities should be taken into account when selecting which parties should be the evaluators; otherwise, the feedback may be distorted.
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Eddie Ozols, Australia
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360 Appraisal versus Indigenous Culture Systems From my limited time in South Africa I understand that Ubuntu refers to supporting one another. Modern business requires teamwork and support to reach organisational objectives. Most appraisal systems would have an element of teamwork being appraised so Ubuntu should fit in here.
However cultural awareness is a requirement of all management and given the diversity of workforces in western nations, managers must understand cultural/gender issues of their employees.
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Chike Nwokorie
Management Consultant, United Kingdom
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360 Degrees This is quite interesting. I feel it will have to depend on the individual or organisations strategy and vision. As long as business is concerned, not following the global trend in quality and customer satisfaction will make the organisation spend more and do less. This design fits best in a learning environment even in the midst of culture issues.
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Rajinder Singh, India
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360 Degree Appraisal Culture does play an important part in appraisals, but today's workforce is quite flexible when it comes to performing in a common environment. The cultural traits do take the back seat when it comes to performance by two individuals from different cultural backgrounds having to perform in the same environment.
Or otherwise it has been practically observed / felt that it only plays a predominant role at the beginning of any assignments/task.
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Dennis Sebata
Business Consultant, Botswana
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Indigenous Culture System I very much agree that most of the 360 literature is based on development in the first world. The third world rarely have any researched work taking into consideration our culture. There is a lack of information on sub-Saharan countries. The definition therefore of culture should take cognizance of this lack of information. However researchers have to work towards closing this gap. It is not only in South-Africa where the issue of Ubuntu has dominated business performance, but in most countries in Africa south of the Sahara.
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mushininga
Manager, Zimbabwe
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Appraisals versus Cultures Ubuntu means being human and behaving as expected in a human society.
I suppose that's universal, whatever cultural setting you are in. Organizations are human societies, with their norms and performance expectations. If you are deviant in a society, you will not 'fit in' and there are processes to bring you up to speed.
My take is that 360 degrees actually fits in with our cultural norms in sub Sahara Africa as the process of bringing a deviant into line actually involves all the elders and colleagues in a village setting! We've always had 360 degree appraisals as a part our our culture here in sub Sahara Africa!
Only we did not document it into a theory for possible universal application.
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Hemant Desai
Management Consultant, India
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Cultural Baselines are Different In some Arab countries, it may be acceptable for cutting off a limb, thrashing etc. For a culprit, the US law would not find that acceptable.
In the US, it would be acceptable for a junior to voice a...
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Zondervan
Management Consultant, Netherlands
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Group Centered Apprasails and Reward Systems Nhlanla, it's ironic, in my role as coach and consultant to managers I'm trying to introduce African group centered principles (having just one book to go on).
Western-style management often pays on...
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Hasan Hasanuzzoha
Professor, Canada
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Diversity and 360 Degree Eveluation I am teaching in a multicultural environment in which over 100 different nationalities exist and over 80 different languages are being spoken.
Considering this vast diversity, our 360 evaluation is a...
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andrew kayima
Accountant, Uganda
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Appraisals in non-western Cultures Culture covers a lot of things and it varies from place to place. In western culture, if a performance was good so will be the appraisal which can be the contrary in some African countries, because of...
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Jean Cardino
HR Consultant, Philippines
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A More Elaborate Description of the Ubunto Way? Interesting! May I know a more comprehensive description of the indigenous traditional culture called Ubuntu (which is also referred to as 'The African Way')? Thanks!...
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Jaap de Jonge
Editor, Netherlands
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What is Ubuntu Ubuntu (Zulu pronunciation: [ùɓúntʼù]) is a Nguni Bantu term meaning "humanity." It is often translated as "I am because we are," or "humanity towards others," or in Xhosa, "umntu ngumntu ng...
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David Stehlik
Professor, United States
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Sourcing the Self - Who's Opinion Matters @Jaap de Jonge: I remember having this conversation with colleagues several years ago, and our research leader make the point that the concept is quite valuable in illustrating the breakdown in expect...
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Jaap de Jonge
Editor, Netherlands
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360 Degree Feedback and Ubuntu @David Stehlik: So in the light of this discussion on 360 DFB, should we then conclude that a group-oriented culture and a highly moral, social stance of individuals (like is the case in Ubuntu) would...
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John Henry
Project Manager, United States
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Appraisals and Individual Value Before we talk about individual cultural differences, and using different appraisal techniques, first we need to identify the value provided by the appraisal process, and the reason for it, and the ba...
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Jaap de Jonge
Editor, Netherlands
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Assumptions Behind Western Appraisal Approaches @John Henry: Your opinion reflects the typical western (at least American) culture / way of thinking which is based on following assumptions:
1. A performance appraisal must reward INDIVIDUAL contrib...
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