Cultural Considerations

Use the CapraTek: Cultural Considerations simulation to write a 1-page email concerning a cultural issue
faced by an American employee on a foreign assignment, and a 2-4 page analysis with
recommendations for leadership addressing CapraTek’s gift policy.
Introduction

Employees on foreign assignments may deal with cultural beliefs, values, and norms that are different
from those in the United States. Often times, cultural differences can create issues that conflict directly
with the employee’s organizational policy as well as the laws of the land. Human resource (HR)
professionals working for global businesses help create and manage expatriate conduct and compliance
policies.
Preparation
Complete the CapraTek: Cultural Considerations simulation, which involves a sales director who received
an expensive gift and is seeking guidance on what to do. The gift is part of the cultural norm of the host
country, but it may violate CapraTek’s gift policy. You will write an email to the employee, and based on
global cultural considerations, you will make recommendations to leadership regarding CapraTek’s gift
policy.
Instructions
• Analyze how Japanese culture views gift giving.
o How do Japanese and U.S. attitudes toward gift gifting differ?
• Assess CapraTek’s gift policy and cultural implications to make a recommendation.
o In your final draft of the e-mail to Jason Lin, make a recommendation of what to do
about the gift. Please consider there may not be a perfect answer, and you may
recommend a course of action that includes keeping the gift or one that favors returning
it.
o Whatever course of action you recommend, justify your recommendation based on
both the cultural issues and CapraTek’s gift policy. Support your recommendation with
scholarly or academic sources.
• Recommend modifications to CapraTek’s gift policy to avoid cultural conflicts.
o Would a gift acceptance policy need to be specific to all the countries CapraTek resides
in?
Additional Requirements
The deliverables for this assessment apply professional skills in HRM to workplace situations which you
will likely encounter in your day-to-day work. As part of your learning, we focus on the development of
effective professional communication skills for the workplace.
• Length:
o The e-mail should be one page, single-spaced.
o Your analysis and policy recommendations should be 2–4 typed, double-spaced pages,
including the resources page.
o Note: Both assessment components should be submitted as one document.

• Organization: Make sure that your assessment writing is well-organized, using headings and
subheadings to organize content for the reader.
• Font and font size: Times New Roman, 12-point.
• Resources: Use at least two scholarly or academic sources.
• Evidence: Support your assertions with data and in-text citations, and create a reference list at
the end of your documents.
• APA formatting: Format resources and in-text citations according to APA Style and Format.
• Written communication:
o Convey purpose, in an appropriate tone and style, incorporating supporting evidence
and adhering to organizational, professional, and scholarly writing standards.
o Write for a specific audience, using the vernacular of the profession.
o Use spell-check and other tools to ensure correct spelling and grammar.
Competencies Measured
By successfully completing this assessment, you will demonstrate your proficiency in the course
competencies through the following assessment scoring guide criteria:
• Competency 1: Apply human resource principles and models in multiple contexts within a global
environment.
o Recommend modifications to CapraTek’s gift policy to avoid cultural conflicts.
• Competency 3: Develop an awareness of global cultures and effective practices for working
across cultures.
o Analyze how the Japanese culture views gift giving.
o Assess CapraTek’s gift policy and cultural implications to make a recommendation.
• Competency 4: Communicate in a manner that is professional and consistent with expectations
for human resource professionals.
o Convey purpose, in an appropriate tone and style, incorporating supporting evidence
and adhering to organizational, professional, and scholarly writing standards.
Note: Your instructor may use the Writing Feedback Tool when grading this assessment. The Writing
Feedback Tool is designed to provide you with guidance and resources to develop your writing based on
five core skills. You will find writing feedback in the Scoring Guide for the assessment, once your work
has been evaluated.