Terms.

Often the terms used within industries and practices can be confusing. Accordingly, here are a few terms with generalized definitions that are referred to on this website. We hope this is helpful.
 

Anthropology
Study of human nature, culture, and society.

Change Agent

A change agent is an action-oriented individual or organization that acts to optimize logistical, technical and interpersonal functions by changing policies, systems, processes or operational norms. Change agents identify issues, generates plans, then implements plans to address identified issues.

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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.

 

Cultural Competence

Cultural Competence revolves around an individual or organization's understanding of a specific culture or sub-cultures, to be effective in multicultural environments.

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 Intelligence

A step beyond Cultural Competence, Cultural Intelligence, also known as CQ (cultural quotient) revolves arounds an individual or organization's skillset to be effective across different cultural and multicultural environments. CQ is culture-free, not connected to any specific culture or 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.

 

​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.

 

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 are appreciated 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 Kūkulu. It is similar to Human-Centric Culture but infused with Native Hawaiian values of Aloha. KCC blends many of the models above towards an effective model unique to Hawaii's community and environment.

Native Hawaiian Cultural Competence

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

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Psychology
Study of the human mind and behavior.

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Sociology
Study of human societies.