Managerial problem-solving styles: A cross-cultural study

Robert Grosse, J. Eulogio Romero Simpson

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

The literature suggests that North American business-people differ from their Latin American counterparts with respect to specific behavioral traits. Our particular interest is in problem solving and in effecting changes in behavior to achieve better problem-solving capability. The purpose of the present study is to assess whether there are differences in problem-solving styles between two culturally different groups of managers registered in MBA Programs: Anglo American and Latin American. Using Kolb's (1984 2006) Learning Style Inventory, it was found that Anglo American managers tended to be relatively action-oriented, "Convergers" (they emphasize decision-making and use deductive reasoning), while Latin American managers tended to be reflection-oriented, "Assimilators" (they emphasize planning and like to create models in their analyses) in their problem-solving styles. The positive and negative aspects of each style are discussed and suggestions for improved decision-making are offered.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)41-67
Number of pages27
JournalLatin American Business Review
Volume8
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - 2008
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Cross-cultural management
  • Kolb's learning style inventory
  • Problem-solving styles
  • US-Latin America cultural differences
  • USA/Peru/Colombia

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Business and International Management
  • Business, Management and Accounting (miscellaneous)

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Managerial problem-solving styles: A cross-cultural study'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this