Culture :

Culture is defined as an intrinsic set of beliefs, tradition, customs, values, thought, practices,
norms, etc. that drives and defines about an individual, society or community as a whole of
its behaviour, attitude, the way they communicate and their ways of life. Going by its
bibliographical definition culture is abstract, learned or sets of shared values that aides in
procreating behaviour and understanding experience.
Its sometimes very difficult to put in or to outline what exactly culture is. This is so because it
depends on perception as it differs from place to place, people to people, or even from
profession to profession. Some might relate it to language, food cuisine, or even to art and
crafts that has been embraced for years, while some would call it the lifestyle - the way we
live, our clothing, music, etc. Frankly speaking, culture could be anything. It directs our
ideology, invites diversity, and can even advocate for differing skillset among individuals.

Fig. The Cultural Iceberg.

In today’s context, wherein the corporate world visualizes the entire world as a global market,
it’s necessary that we understand the diversity and ethics so that we could bridge the gap and
bring the world closer. Well in light of the fact, we encompass another concept referred to as
“Cultural Convergence” and “Cultural Divergence”.
Cultural Convergence postulate that two culture can co-exist only and when they would
interact as it would reciprocate to identical reflection of ideology, values, behaviour and
customs. On the other hand, Cultural Divergence is entirely differing, it emphasizes on how
one culture give rise to another culture – transformation of one whole society into a new-
distinctive faction.
Cultural Convergence:
If you are asked Do you like Italian or Mexican Food? Which car brand manufacture you like
most (which car you want to own?)? What about the European Soccer or Indian Cricket
Fever? Do you like Japanese Anime or what about American Western Film? Do you like
European Wine and Spirits? If yes to some, let me ask you do you live there? Well most of us
will answer negative, yet, one can find everything easily accessible. This is so because of the
association that are driving cultures to be more similar and alike.
With the advent of Globalization, the cultures are redefying themselves moving beyond their
distinctive characteristics and are inviting the best from around the world at our disposal. If
we are to talk about means through which these changes are incorporated it could be anything
like for example language, technology, participative and collaborative politics, sports, etc.
Cultural convergence trails and go along with lines of communication as it is clearly evident
from the fact that “English” is known to be the most economical language to communicate –
a Global Language. Driven by economic realisms, English is now considered to be the
international language of business and bureaucracy. Subsequently it also provides avenues in
other aspects that permitted cultural convergence be it adopting western style of dressing,
changes or modification in conduct, etc. Thus, it has reflected variations in economic
convergence.
If we are to talk about Organic Cultural Convergence, the ICT has brought in changes that
allows for the differing ethnicity people to interact with each other, learn and understand.
Technology provide approach to new ideas and notion instantly exemplifying cultural
diversities and identities like for example Corporates around the world are catering and
rendering services to a wider global customer base. With globalization the business is able to
craft out talent pool within itself that can aid in drafting their distinctive capabilities
reciprocating to individual development and of organization as well. This is all because of the
interaction among individual that makes one understandable of ones’ customs, ideas,
behaviour and practices. It has also accounted for overall development as clearly portrayed
-“The most significant moment in the course of intellectual development, which gives birth to
the purely human forms of practical and abstract intelligence, occurs when speech and
practical activity, two previously completely independent lines of
development, converge”[ CITATION Vyg78 \l 1033 ]. Cultural Convergence has allowed for
conducting business and expanding operation to geographies that were accessed unreachable
and targetable primarily.
By means of co-operative and collaborative politics like for example, UN, NATO, ASEAN,
BRICS, etc. have furnished channels to encourage governments to work in tandem with each
other to strive for better future.
Another important determinant is Trade and Tourism, that can erase boundaries of cultural
identities that has permitted countries to conduct business with several distinct countries and
have economically converged. On the contrary, several countries like North Korea have
isolated themselves from other striving to become self-sufficient and prevent globalization as
they feel it would tarnish their cultural distinctiveness.
Sports also on the other hand, have brought people closer to each other. It has created a zeal
among ourselves uniting each other apart from cultural diversity, like for example Olympics,
World Cup Soccer, World Cup Cricket, etc.