Answer

Tsunami Relief Case

Question 1

Considering the Tsunami relief case, it can be noted that there exist a clash between the cultural values of emphasis on present and past traditions, and emphasis on the change. Whereas the American people value change that can be realized by the construction of the 150-mile road, the Indonesian people, particularly some villagers are concerned about the destruction of the graves of religious and mystical significance. Additionally, there exists a clash of cultural values of tolerance to unknown and ambiguous situations and intolerance to uncertainty. The American people remain positive on the outcomes of constructing the 150-mile road, whereas the Indonesian villagers are uncomfortable with the outcomes of the road project, as they fear speeding traffic, and are focused on maintaining the status quo in terms of selling tea and snacks from stalls snug along the roadside, as they have always done. Furthermore, there is a conflict of cultural values in terms of emphasis on control versus emphasis on fate. While the Americans believe in the control of one’s destiny in terms of building the 150-mile road to link the poor fishing communities of Aceh’s wasted west coast to the outside world, the villagers believe in the intervention of nature in the course of the lives. Moreover, there is a conflict of cultural values between the emphasis on achievement and emphasis on modesty. Whereas the Americans emphasize high standards of excellence by imposing First World efficiency standards on the Aceh region, the Indonesians are opposed to these guidelines.

Question 2

The appropriate conflict approach for the case should involve a compromise considering that the problem involved in a complex one. Certain compromises have to be made for the attainment of certain goals. For instance, Aceh villagers should be ready to give away the rights to their ancestral land and allow for the destruction the grave, which they perceive to be of religious and mystical significance for their village to be connected to the outside world. However, the Americans will also have to promise to construct the road in a way that will not result in a greater damage to the graves perceived by Aceh villagers to be of religious and mystical significance. The Americans should be ready to abandon holding Indonesians to the European standards when it comes to the construction of the 150 miles road. For instance, the U.S.-style thoroughfare with a wide shoulder on either side that would replace the existing ribbon of mostly churned dirt and mud should be abandoned so that the villagers can have a space for selling snacks and tea from stalls snug by the roadside, as they had always done. Such an undertaking will enable the Americans to secure the cooperation of villagers. Considering the complex nature of the problem between the Americans and Aceh villagers, compromising provides a suitable conflict strategy.

Question 3

The cultural differences that are pertinent to this case include uncertainty avoidance, time orientation, control, and context. When it comes to uncertainty avoidance, the Americans can be described as comfortable with unknown and ambiguous situations as they are more optimistic about the road construction project, whereas the Indonesian villagers are intolerant to uncertainty, which is evident in their pessimism about the road project. In relation to time orientation, the Americans can be described as present-oriented, while the Indonesian people in Aceh villages can be considered past-oriented, owing to the value they place on traditions, particularly the graves. When it comes to control, the Americans can be considered internalistic, whereas the Aceh villagers can be considered externalistic. Americans believe in shaping their own destinies, which is evident in their efforts to construct the 150-mile road aimed at improving the lives of the villagers. On the other hand, the villagers’ externalistic nature is evident in their respect to their ancestors and resorting to fate for the betterment of their lives. Concerning context, the American culture can be considered a high-context culture, whereas the Indonesian culture can be described as a low-context culture. Americans have extensive networks of information and require limited information prior to engaging in the construction of the 150-mile road, whereas the villagers require more background information about the benefits of the road and the reasons for its construction before they can welcome the project.