グローバルスタンダード or ローカル文化

UCLAの課題エッセイ第二弾。

ハーバード大学(MBA)を卒業し金融会社に勤めるMay女史のストーリー。

Mayは入社以来、その卓越した能力をいかんなく発揮し、まさに出世街道まっしぐらであった。 その金融会社では出世のためには海外支店のマネージャーで実績を上げることが登竜門とされ、Mayはアフリカ支店のアシスタントマネージャーのポジションに挑戦することになる。

しかし、ここで彼女は人生で初めて大きな壁にぶつかる。アフリカ独特の男尊女卑の文化である。

アフリカでは、お金を扱うようなことに関しては、権威ある男性がすべてを取り仕切るのが常識であるため、アフリカの顧客はMayが対応をするのを嫌がったのである。彼女は上司であるマネージャーにも相談をした。しかしながら、彼はアフリカではアフリカのやり方があると突っ撥ね、女性蔑視とも言えることアフリカのビジネススタイルについては、疑問すら呈さない。

このときあなたがMayの立場だったら、どうしますか?　というのが今回のお題。

The most important thing is definitely May’s philosophy.

There are some possible priorities such as a successful career in the current company, pride as a woman, and a future career track. I think she should act based on her own philosophy and life plan.

It is easy to understand the experience in Africa has affected her own self-esteem because she has had a successful career so far, but at the same time it might be a good opportunity to help her grow in the work.

If her top priority is a successful career in the current company, she needs to accept the local culture and business custom, and follow her boss’s instruction in order to facilitate smooth business in Africa. We need to cherish local business ways as well as women’s human rights. Her thought is right in terms of women’s rights in the global business scene; on the other hand African business ways are also right in the local community. Both opinions are true. If she wants to get ahead in the company, she needs to think about the best solution for the company first.

Secondly, if she prioritizes her human rights as a woman, she should fight against the African ways of doing business. Forming a women’s organization to change the local culture to the global standard might be one option. She can sue the African company and her boss if needed.

Lastly, if the top priority for her is a future career track, she should quit the company immediately and find another work environment where she can take advantage of her excellent business skills fully, which would make her feel comfortable.

In summary, I think she should make a decision based on who she is, what she wants to do in the future and her mid-term and long-term life plan.