This week we are imagining that I have chosen to move to the United Kingdom from the United States in pursuit of an opportunity that could provide a long term benefit to my career. Because I am a part of the construction industry, I will use this to guide my process of moving from the U.S. to the U.K.
There are a few important aspects of this transition that I must consider when factoring in Hofstede’s Cultural Dimensions and Other Dimensions. The first item to consider will be the level of individualism versus collectivism. This is a rather simple aspect given that the U.K. and the U.S. are both viewed as individualistic societies. Because of this, we can assume that the emphasis on career growth and personal achievement will be rather similar and as a result we do not need to prepare ourselves for a major change in this regard. The next aspect to consider, especially in the construction industry, is the level of context within the cultures between the U.S and the U.K. Both countries are seen as low context cultures indicating that information is exchanged frequently with little deceiving occurring through the collaborative efforts of community members.
Between the U.S. and U.K., while there may be many similarities, there are also differences that need to be considered within the respective cultures especially in regards to the workplace. Namely, while Human Resources may be a synonymous department, there will likely be differences in work-life balance initiatives, employee benefits and the management of performance from workers. These differences will need to be considered and evaluated. Another massive impact could be from the difference in legal environment between the U.S. and U.K. Employment contracts, the procedure and benefits given during termination, antidiscrimination and data protects can all vary significantly and would need to be factored into the overall decision on whether or not to proceed with the transition.
Ultimately, based on all that was said, the biggest consideration on whether or not I would accept an opportunity abroad would be the level of career advancement and ability of the company to support me as I made the transition. Companies that provide transparency and legal support would be considered much more seriously than those who didn’t. Further, the financial benefits in relation to moving overseas would also play a huge role as this move can be logistically challenging and the process of moving could prove to be tedious and difficult. I would finally have to consider the impact on my loved ones should I decide to move abroad and consider opportunities in another country such as the U.K. For example, would my spouses accreditations in the U.S. transfer to the U.K.? This would be a potential ‘nail in the coffin’ should my spouse need to pursue recertification, further education and other difficulties in order for me to pursue a potentially better career. The benefits and disadvantages may end up canceling out and could cause strain between us should such a situation arise.
Citations:
[1] Hofstede’s cultural dimensions theory. Corporate Finance Institute. (2023, October 19). https://corporatefinanceinstitute.com/resources/management/hofstedes-cultural-dimensions-theory/
