Final answer:
Cultural shock occurs when a manager is transferred to a part of a country with significant cultural differences. Managers can navigate through cultural shock by practicing cultural relativism and undergoing diversity training.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a manager is transferred to another part of a country where there are significant cultural differences, it is known as cultural shock. Cultural shock refers to the disorientation and frustration that individuals experience when they are exposed to a new culture that is significantly different from their own. This can include differences in language, customs, values, and behaviors.
For example, an American manager who is transferred to China may find it challenging to adapt to the Chinese business culture, which may prioritize indirectness in communication and hierarchical decision-making. Likewise, a Chinese manager transferred to the United States may struggle with the directness and individualism that characterize American business culture.
To navigate through cultural shock, managers can engage in cultural relativism by trying to understand and appreciate the values and perspectives of the new culture. They can also undergo diversity training to develop cultural competence and improve their ability to work effectively in diverse cultural contexts.