The importance of cultural studies in the current entrepreneurial landscape appears to be more topical than ever. As the cultural dimension can be conducive to the scope of a company’s entrepreneurial activity.
Cultural studies observe, grasp, and concretize the essence that a culture conveys, as a process that changes overtime. It studies culture through the different angles of the disciplines encompassed in the field.
The Importance of Cultural Studies
Stating the significance of cultural studies may be answered through the examination of its subject.
From a collective perspective, culture encloses the shared values and manifestations, which forge the social context and the identity of the people within. Consequently, it is the element that links individuals with one another. Moreover, individual identity is nurtured according to the cultural conventions of the frame.
Clearly, cultural studies acknowledge and validate the significance of the different cultures, by surfacing the unseen, yet crucial factors of the diverse cultures. It is a field that contributes to the cultivation of a mentality of appreciation towards different cultures.
Entrepreneurship and the Cultural Aspect
Societies progress into becoming gradually globalized; however, this a fact that does not exclude the diversity parameter in the various contexts of interaction. It is a phenomenon that obviously affects work environments; and, by extension, entrepreneurship.
In a multicultural company, cultural competencies are reflected in the effective management of multilevel interactions. This is a skillset that encompasses cultural awareness and intercultural competences. Cultural awareness is the knowledge that results in the development of a standpoint of value and understanding towards different cultures. Furthermore, developing intercultural skills establish effective communication, by overcoming the barriers of the diverse cultural backgrounds met.
Taking into consideration the cultural aspect can be advantageous in a business because it facilitates the establishment of business connections. However, this aspect is beneficial not only in a company’s frame, but also in wider entrepreneurial contexts.
Under those circumstances, the importance of cultural studies is also channeled in entrepreneurial contexts. The application of cultural competences contributes to workplace equilibrium; to workplace teams’ successful performance; and, in any company’s overall performance at large. Obviously, the benefits of such competencies extend beyond the company. Any company that adopts an approach founded on these principles has the potential to engage in cross-cultural business partnerships; and, by extension, can benefit by entering the international markets.
M.O.T.H.E.R. is an Erasmus+ project that acknowledges the global and diverse aspect of the world, with primary focus on entrepreneurship. In particular, the strategic partnership acts upon the youth unemployment phenomenon, through the promotion of social entrepreneurship.
Find out more about M.O.T.H.E.R., on the initiative’s official webpage.
Written by
Katerina Pariza (IED team)
