Terms.

Often the terms used within our industry and practice can become confusing. Accordingly, here are a few terms with definitions, that are refereed to on our website. We hope this is helpful.
 

Anthropology
Study of human nature, culture, and society.

Change Agent

A change agent is an action-oriented entity (individual or organization) that acts to optimize an organization's logistical, technical and interpersonal functions by changing policies, systems, processes or operational norms. Change agents identify organizational issues, generate a plan, then implement the plan to address identified issues.

 

​Culture - People and Places

Culture refers to the social norms, behaviors, beliefs, values, and practices of a specific population at a specific place and time. 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.

 

Culture - Organizations

Organizational culture is a system of shared expectations, values, and beliefs that helps employers and employees understand which behaviors are and are not appropriate within an organization. And encompasses the foundational values of an organization or business.
 

Cultural Intelligence
Cultural Intelligence, also known as CQ (cultural quotient) revolves arounds one's skillset to be effective across different cultural and multicultural environments. CQ is culture-free, not connected to any specific culture or sub-cultures.

 

Cultural Competence

Cultural Competence, also known as intercultural competence, revolves around one's understanding of a specific culture or sub-cultures, to be effective in multicultural environments. 

 

Native Hawaiian Cultural Competence

Similar to Cultural Competence, but specific to the Native Hawaiian culture of Hawaii. 

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Cultural Diversity
Cultural diversity is the presence and respect of different cultures and ethnic groups within a society or an organization. It means that people acknowledge and value the socio-cultural differences and contributions of diverse groups. It also means that people can have different beliefs, behaviors, skills, interests, and orientations. Cultural diversity is also known as multiculturalism.

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Cultural Awareness and Sensitivity

Cultural awareness is the ability to recognize and respect the differences and
similarities between cultures. It involves being cognizant, observant, and conscious of the similarities and differences among and between cultural groups and being open and respectful of such.

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Discipline

A specific branch of knowledge, learning, or practice.

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Ethnicity

Ethnicity refers to one's self-identification and affiliation to a particular culture or sub-cultures.

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Human-Centric Culture
Human-centric culture focuses on people, both employees and customers. In a Human-Centric culture, the organization recognizes that business success is driven by engaged employees and loyal customers. As such, organizations will treat employees as critical assets who need to feel engaged and customers as human beings who need their emotional needs met.

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Kanaka-Centric Culture
Kanaka-Centric Culture (KCC) is a model developed by Cultural Intelligence Hawaii 
It is similar to Human-Centric Culture but infused with Native Hawaiian values of Aloha. KCC blends many of the models above and optimize this blend specifically for the Hawaii market.

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Psychology
Study of the human mind and behavior.

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Sociology
Study of human societies.