How Different (Cultural) Environments Affect Orgaizations

Mentions how different types of cultural environments have an effect on organizations, and the way they do things.

Robbins, S et al. (2006) state that the degree of how much an organization is dependent upon its specific environments, as well as its awareness of what potential influences its general environment brings about, would affect the type of decisions that it makes.

Demographic change is an external (general) environment "that can potentially affect the organization's performance" (Robbins, S etal. 2006, p.83). As no two environments are similar, they are differentiated by their degree of environmental uncertainty. The greater the uncertainty, the more it is a threat to an organization's effectiveness. This is why managers try to minimize uncertainty. Thus, it can be said that demographics is a dynamic and somewhat complex environment.

There are different approaches and ways of doing things with each new generation: each generation thinks and does things fundamentally differently from others, with the differences emerging and developing as they go through every life stage. Hence, these different approaches determine and impact the direction in which an organization decides to take...Read more>>

Indian Culture in Singapore

There are many races that can be found in Singapore. Besides the Chinese and Malays, there are the Indian, who also make up the majority of Singaporeans. Indians are famous for their strong sense of family, remarkable (and delicious) curries and striking religious festivals.

Having arrived from India, the Indians of Singapore are a diverse group: coming from various places such as India, Pakistani, Sri Lanka, and even some parts of Africa. (Culture Shock! 193) The majority of Indians are Hindus, while the rest are Christians, Muslims and Buddhists.

Hindus celebrate Deepavali (also know as "Dewali" or festival of lights) as a sign of remembrance of the battle of light over darkness. During this time of celebration, most Hindus will decorate their houses with colored lights and also flower garlands. They wake up early in the morning and offer their prayers at the temples. Children pay ritual homage to their parents, and people pay visits to friends and family reaffirming their ties of solidarity. The festivities also include having 'open house' for friends and relatives alike... Read more>>

Malay Culture in Singapore

One of the main minorities in Singapore are the Malays. Malay influences can still be seen throughout the island today. In the past Malay culture centered around the kampong ( the Malay equivalent to a village), but today, like many Singaporeans, Malays living in housing estates in Singapore.

Like many Asian culture, the Malay culture emphasizes on family values and are a close-knitted community . As majority of the Malays are Muslims, the two main celebrations of the Malay community are Hari Raya Puasa and Hari Raya Haji; both are public holiday which all Singaporeans enjoy. The smaller-scale festivals are: the first day of the Muslim calendar month of Muharram (a New Year celebration), and Maulud (Prophet Muhammad's birthday).

As majority of Malays in Singapore (and throughout the world) are Muslims, they do not eat pork. So when entertaining Muslim guests, make sure that no pork, lard or alcohol is used in the cooking, and that the meat is bought from a 'halal' food supplier. Also, when visiting a Muslim home never bring wine and always dress modestly...Read more>>

Chinese Culture in Singapore

Some of the festivals celebrated by Singaporean Chinese, as well as customs.

Singapore, like many other countries, has its own cultural "flavor": from the various ethnic groups which populate the island, which consists of a mixture of mainly Chinese, Malays, Indians, and other races. The Chinese are one of the majority on this "small little" island and here is a little more information about some of the festivals celebrated by Singaporean Chinese.

Festivals:

• Chinese New Year

Being one of major festivals, that's celebrated island wide among the Chinese in Singapore. Similar to its western counterpart, Chinese New Year, it represents a fresh start of the year. It is celebrated based on the lunar calendar and is celebrated in the month of February. It is one of the major public holiday (usually 2 days) that all Singaporean enjoy...Read more>>

Singapore: How Culture Affects Racial & Religious Harmony

Discusses what is culture and how it can affect racial and religious harmony in a multi-racial country such as Singapore.

Introduction
"Culture", a word that encompasses the way of life passed from one generation to another, is generally defined as the integrated pattern of human customs, taboos, beliefs, ideas, and other related components. (Encyclopedia Britannica, 1989) It is one of the fundamental ingredients that can weave a country together towards racial and religious harmony. There are three forces that impact an individual's sense of culture. (http://www.hoboes.com/html/NetLife/Children/Culture_Shock.html)

• 1. Education by cultural standard-bearers who wish to mold the individual into a proper member of society.
• 2. Environmental forces, such as climate, economic opportunity, and population density.
• 3. Exposure to external models of behavior.

Culture enables a country to absorb talented individuals from different backgrounds and fit them into the community. If a country cannot accommodate the tensions, then the diversity as well as racial and religious harmony could be disrupted.

Singapore Culture
Singapore, like many other countries, has its own cultural "flavor": from the various ethnic groups which populate the island, which consists of a mixture of mainly Chinese, Malays, Indians, and other races... Read more>>

Quirky Singapore Campaigns

This is a compilation of interesting campaigns that have been going on this little island of a city called Singapore. Campaigns have been in Singapore ever since 1980s or even earlier, and there have been quite a few memorable ones. There is almost a campaign for everything here in Singapore! Here we go:

1) The Courtesy Campaign & The Singapore Kindness Movement

This campaign began around 1979, it was to encourage Singaporeans to be more courteous, friendly and considerate towards others; and basically be more polite create a pleasant social environment. The duration of 10 years can be one of the longest ongoing campaigns here in Singapore. It even had its own mascot, Singa the Courtesy Lion. Banners and posters were hung in public places like bus stops, shopping center and open-air markets. Leaflets, handbooks and pamphlets were also handed out to further educate the people.

Essay competitions in all four national languages (English, Chinese, Malay, and Tamil) were arranged in schools to reach out to children as well. This movement soon saw to an assortment of memorabilia consisting of mugs, plushies, key chains, notepads and vases that featured the mascot, Singa; along with courtesy songs, fables, and slogans...Read more>>

The Great Singapore Sale (Gss)

If you simply adore travelling and shopping, do drop by Singapore during the Great Singapore Sale! This annual shopping event is co-organized by the Singapore Tourism Board and various retail companies together with shopping malls and stores, all in a bid to promote tourism in Singapore. The participating malls and stores are mostly usually located along Orchard Road, dubbed the "town" area - the heartbeat of Singapore - all the way to Marina Bay. It is usually lasts for about 2 months and is held from late May to late July. This extravaganza started in 2005 and has since stayed on to be one of the tourism attractions of Singapore!

During this period, participating malls and stores will extend their shopping hours all the way till 12 midnight and beyond on selected weekends. In addition, tourists would be able to have access to special privileges specifically created for them during this period - enjoying a range of exclusive lifestyle promotions such as gourmet dining, wellness, nightlife, and entertainment options...Read more>>

Dog bashed to death

By Kimberly Spykerman

The dog was found in the void deck of an HDB block on Wednesday. Blood covered its muzzle and the inside of its ears.

-- PHOTO: SPCA

THE bloodied body of a dog was found in the void deck of an HDB block in Sengkang on Wednesday evening.

The dog, which appeared to be a Pomeranian, is believed to have been bashed to death.

A preliminary examination by a vet called in by the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) noted that the animal had head injuries consistent with trauma. Blood covered its muzzle and the inside of its ears.

Police said they had been alerted to the dog's body by a member of the public, who had spotted the dog lying motionless with its leash still attached. The floor around it was blood-spattered.

A spokesman for the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) told The Straits Times that a post-mortem is in progress, and that investigations into the identity of the owner are ongoing.

Although the dog had been microchipped, the owner had not followed up the microchipping by registering the animal with the AVA.

Read the full story in Friday's edition of The Straits Times.

It's things like this that leave me speechless and lesser faith in the human race. Why must we be so cruel? I hope the person gets caught and punished severely. Acts like that shouldn't be condoned, I wonder why no one called for help. Imagine if it were a human life.

This case just happens to be one that was discovered, I can't even begin to imagine for those that go unnoticed. It's just so... sad...

Humans are funny beings. We contradict ourselves most of the time, being selfish and sometimes actually thinking we're being caring and considerate. It seems that everything that we do has an motive behind it. When will we truly understand that it really isn't just all about us... Frustration is never an excuse to bully those that are smaller and have no defenses against you.