Synopses & Reviews
Perhaps more than any other East Asian country, Korea adheres to the traditional collectivist and Confucian traits of harmony, hierarchy, status and proper behavior. In Learning to Think Korean: A Guide to LIving and Working in Korea, Robert Kohls demystifies Korean culture for people who encounter it in business and in everyday life. The book explores Korean modes of thinking and behaviors in juxtaposition to American society.Learning to Think Korean discusses the cultural patterns and practices of the workplace and goes beyond business interaction as the book explores Korea's culture of private life, providing notes on proper etiquette in non-business settings and Korean history and social customs. Understanding the complex tapestry of influences, tradition and deep cultural values inherent in Korean society is essential to effective and mutually rewarding intercultural communication. Bob Kohls' book, Learning to Think Korean, is ostensibly written for the American businessman who plans to go to Korea and engage in a business relationship with corporations there. My reading of the book leads me to suggest that it is a good 'read' for anyone who would try to understand the disjuncture between our expectations of our Korean neighbors and their behavior, whether in Korea or in the United States. This goes for the American teacher with Korean students in the classroom and for the members of other minority populations in Los Angeles and elsewhere who find it difficult to understand their Korean neighbors. The book should also be read by Koreans in the United States who don't quite understand why others, not of their culture, are upset with them or why other Americans look askance at their behavior. The book is a very useful contribution to cross cultural understanding between Korea and the United States. -George F. Drake, KWV, Coordinator Korean War Children's Memorial Bellingham Robert Kohls' book is impressive in its depth of understanding of the ways in] which cultural differences affect behavior, the ways in which we really are not all alike underneath.-Horace H. Underwood, Executive Director Korean-American Educational Commission, Seoul ContentsForeword: My Love Affair with KoreaAcknowledgments1 Some Facts about Korea2 Critical Incidents3 Influences of Asian Religious and Ethical Systems4 Korean Values- Then and Now5 Barriers to Thinking Korean6 Korea: People-Oriented and Group-Centered7 Status and Behavior8 Relationships: Ingroups and Outgroups9 Paths to Success, Korean Style10 Negotiating with Koreans11 Managing a Korean Office12 Personnel Issues13 Challenges Facing KoreaAfterwordAppendix A: Korean ChronologyAppendix B: Traditional SymbolsAppendix C: Traditional Social CustomsAppendix D: Aspects of Korean Culture Worth ExploringAppendix E: Aspects of American Culture Worth Explaining to KoreansBibliographyAbout the Author
Synopsis
Kohls shares a feast of Korean culture: a ricebowl of history and tradition complimented by an array of spicy tidbits that capture the readera s attention like a mouthful of kimchi. Based on personal experience, he provides critical incidents that explore the more puzzling aspects of Korean culture. Kohls explores Korean valuesa traditional values, value changes over the past forty years and projected values for the early decades of the twenty-first century. He is equally insightful when it comes to discussing the cultural patterns and practices of the workplace. He takes on management style, personal issues, networking and a pull, a? negotiating style, persistence, key Korean business relations and more. To a greater extent than most other Asisan countries, Korea adheres to the traditional collectivist and Confucian traits of harmony, hierarchy, ingroups/outgroups, status, and proper behavior. According to Kohls, these traits plus the more Westernized values of the younger generations and the veneer of modern urban savvy surface in surprising combinations in personal and workplace relationshipsa often where they are least expected.
Synopsis
From first page to last, Learning to Think Korean is quintessential Bob Kohls. Ever the pragmatist and diviner of values structures, Kohls provides critical incidents based on personal experience and explores Korean values-traditional values, value changes over the past forty years, and projected values for the early decades of the twenty-first century. Kohls is equally insightful when it comes to discussing the cultural patterns and practices of the workplace; he takes up management style, personnel issues, networking and "pull," negotiating style, persistence, key Korean business relationships, and more. Perhaps more than any other East Asian country, Korea adheres to the traditional collectivist and Confucian traits of harmony, hierarchy, ingroups/outgroups, status, and proper behavior. According to Kohls, these traits plus the more Westernized values of the younger generations and the veneer of twenty-first century urban savvy are mixed in sometimes surprising combinations in personal and workplace relationships.
Synopsis
The definitive guide to understanding Korea - from home to work and those cultural destinations in between.
Kohls shares a feast of Korean culture: a ricebowl of history and tradition complemented by an array of spicy tidbits that capture the reader's attention like a mouthful of kimchi. Based on personal experience, he provides critical incidents that explore the more puzzling aspects of Korean culture. Kohls explores Korean values - traditional values, value changes over the past forty years and projected values for the early decades of the twenty-first century. He is equally insightful when it comes to discussing the cultural patterns and practices of the workplace. He takes on management style, personal issues, networking and "pull" negotiating style, persistence, key Korean business relations and more.
To a greater extent than most other Asian countries, Korea adheres to the traditional collectivist and Confucian traits of harmony, hierarchy, ingroups/outgroups, status, and proper behavior. According to Kohls, these traits plus the more Westernized values of the younger generations and the veneer of modern urban savvy surface in surprising combinations in personal and workplace relationships - often where they are least expected.
Synopsis
Discusses the cultural patterns and practices of the workplace, going beyond business interaction as it explores Korea's private life culture
Synopsis
Perhaps more than any other East Asian country, Korea adheres to the traditional collectivist and Confucian traits of harmony, hierarchy, status and proper behavior. In Learning to Think Korean: A Guide to Living and Working in Korea, Robert Kohls demystifies Korean culture for people who encounter it in business and in everyday life. The book explores Korean modes of thinking and behaviors in juxtaposition to American society. Learning to Think Korean discusses the cultural patterns and practices of the workplace and goes beyond business interaction as the book explores Korea's culture of private life, providing notes on proper etiquette in non-business settings and Korean history and social customs. Understanding the complex tapestry of influences, tradition and deep cultural values inherent in Korean society is essential to effective and mutually rewarding intercultural communication.