University of Twente Student Theses
Dutch Views on the American Dream : Cultural differences in the workplace experienced by the Dutch in the United States
Slaghekke, J.R. (2025) Dutch Views on the American Dream : Cultural differences in the workplace experienced by the Dutch in the United States.
|
PDF
1MB |
| Abstract: | Today’s marketplace is increasingly global. A significant number of driven individuals are crossing national borders to work and live abroad. However, it can be challenging to adjust to cross-cultural differences. Cross-cultural differences can lead to conflicts, misunderstandings and frustrations. Expatriates face significant cultural challenges when adapting to a foreign work environment. Therefore, this study investigates the cultural differences in the workplace experienced by the Dutch in the United States. This research is part of the research project ‘one market, many cultures’ and focuses on the American culture from a Dutch perspective. The goal is to find underlying values that explain the typical behavior (cultural standards) of Americans. Hence, the research question addressed in this study is: “Which cultural differences do Dutch individuals living and working in the United States perceive in the workplace?” An inductive qualitative research approach was used to answer the research question. Sixteen Dutch individuals residing and working in the United States were interviewed based on a semi-structured interview guide. Based on the Critical Incident Technique, interviewees were asked to describe experiences in which the Dutch and the Americans clashed in the working environment. Afterwards, the critical incidents have been analyzed using the Thematic Analysis and structured based on the Gioia method to identify American cultural standards. The conducted data resulted in twenty cultural standards which are connected to five underlying values: Achievement, Order, Leadership, Responsibility & personal accountability and Optimism. These underlying values explain the cultural logic behind the cultural standards, forming a thick description of the American culture. This thick description explains the behavior of the Americans which may help to improve cross-cultural collaboration on the work floor. |
| Item Type: | Essay (Master) |
| Faculty: | BMS: Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences |
| Subject: | 85 business administration, organizational science |
| Programme: | Business Administration MSc (60644) |
| Link to this item: | https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/105362 |
| Export this item as: | BibTeX EndNote HTML Citation Reference Manager |
Show download statistics for this publication
Show download statistics for this publicationRepository Staff Only: item control page