What is Culture Optimization?

 

To answer this question we must first define what culture is. Culture as used here refers to three things, the culture of a people, the culture of an organization, and an organization's capacity to deal with others from different cultures. 

Culture of a People:
Culture here refers to the social norms, behaviors, beliefs, values, and practices of a specific population from a specific place. Culture influences how members act (what is and is not appropriate behavior), how they see the world and how they function in it. In a global community, people often associate with a primary culture (as well as other sub-cultures), such as the Hawaiian culture.

 

Culture of an Organization:
An organization's culture refers to a system of customs, traditions, values, beliefs, and language that an organization shares in common and that defines them as an organization. This system (culture) helps members understand what is expected of them and what are and are not appropriate behaviors within a culture (organization). 

Cultural Competence vs Cultural Intelligence (CQ):

Cultural competence is about understanding and respecting differences, while cultural intelligence (CQ) is the higher-level ability to apply that understanding to adapt and function effectively in diverse situations, acting as a more dynamic, skill-based evolution that moves from awareness (competence) to action (intelligence). Competence involves knowing cultural norms and values (awareness, knowledge), whereas intelligence involves the drive, knowledge, strategy, and behavioral adaptation to use that understanding to succeed across cultures. 

Cultural Optimization:
Cultural optimization refers to the process utilized by Kūkulu to enhance an organization's resources and competence in one or more of the above areas. 

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