CROSS CULTURE

UNDERSTANDING
Nur Aulia
0716101015
 MOROCCO

Official Name: Kingdom of Morocco

Government: Monarchy with Parliament
Capital: Rabat
Continent: Africa
Language: Arabic, French, Berber
Population: 33,250,000
Area: 172,487 square miles
Currency: Moroccan Dirham (MAD)
Weather: Subtropical
Religion: Sunni Islam
Cities: Marrakech, Casablanca, Tangier

Morocco, a North African country bordering the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea,
is distinguished by its Berber, Arabian and European cultural influences. Marrakesh’s
medina, a mazelike medieval quarter, offers entertainment in its Djemaa el-Fna square
and souks (marketplaces) selling ceramics, jewelry and metal lanterns. The capital
Rabat’s Kasbah of the Udayas is a 12th-century royal fort overlooking the water.
 MOROCCO

The flag of Morocco is made a red field with a black-bordered green pentagram. Red has
considerable historic significance in Morocco, proclaiming the descent from royal Alaouite
dynasty. This ruling house was associated with the Islamic prophet Muhammad via Fatimah,
the wife of Ali, the fourth Muslim Caliph.
The Index of Cultural
Dimension Morocco Indonesia
78
70 68
62
53
46 46 48
38
25
14 14
 Power Distance
Morocco
 At a score of 70, Morocco is a hierarchical society.
VS
This means that people accept a hierarchical order
in which everybody has a place and which needs
no further justification. Hierarchy in an
organization is seen as reflecting inherent
inequalities, centralization is popular, subordinates
expect to be told what to do and the ideal boss is a
benevolent autocrat
Indonesia
Indonesia scores high on this dimension (score of 78)
which means that the following characterises the
Indonesian style: Being dependent on hierarchy,
unequal rights between power holders and non
power holders, superiors in-accessible, leaders are
directive, management controls and delegates. Power
is centralized and managers count on the obedience
of their team members. Employees expect to be told
what to do and when. Control is expected and
managers are respected for their position.
Communication is indirect and negative feedback
hidden.
 Individualism

Morocco Indonesia

 Morocco, with a score of 46 is considered a

collectivistic society. This is manifest in a close
long-term commitment to the member ‘group’, be
VS Indonesia, with a low score of (14) is a Collectivist
that a family, extended family, or extended society. This means there is a high preference for a
relationships. Loyalty in a collectivist culture is strongly defined social framework in which individuals
paramount, and over-rides most other societal are expected to conform to the ideals of the society and
rules and regulations. The society fosters strong the in-groups to which they belong. One place this is
relationships where everyone takes responsibility visible clearly is in the aspect of the Family in the role of
for fellow members of their group. In collectivist relationships.
societies offence leads to shame and loss of face,
employer/employee relationships are perceived in
moral terms (like a family link), hiring and
promotion decisions take account of the
employee’s in-group, management is the
management of groups.
 Masculinity

Morocco Indonesia

 Morocco gets an intermediate score of 53 on this

VS Indonesia scores (46) on this dimension and is thus
dimension and this in inconclusive. considered low Masculine. While not entirely like most
North European countries who are very low in
Masculinity and thus considered Feminine, Indonesia is
less Masculine than some other Asian countries like
Japan, China and India. In Indonesia status and visible
symbols of success are important but it is not always
material gain that brings motivation. Often it is the
position that a person holds which is more important to
them because of an Indonesian concept called “gengsi” –
loosely translated to be, “outward appearances”.
 Uncertainty
Avoidance
Morocco
 Morocco scores 68 on this dimension and thus has
VS
a very high preference for avoiding uncertainty.
Countries exhibiting high Uncertainty Avoidance
maintain rigid codes of belief and behaviour and
are intolerant of unorthodox behaviour and ideas.
In these cultures there is an emotional need for
rules (even if the rules never seem to work) time is
money, people have an inner urge to be busy and
work hard, precision and punctuality are the norm,
innovation may be resisted, security is an
important element in individual motivation.
Indonesia
Indonesia scores (48) on this dimension and thus has a
low preference for avoiding uncertainty. This means that
there is a strong preference in Indonesia toward the
Javanese culture of separation of internal self from
external self. When a person is upset, it is habitual for
the Indonesian not to show negative emotion or anger
externally. They will keep smiling and be polite, no
matter how angry they are inside.
 Long Term
Orientation
Morocco Indonesia

 With the very low score of 14, Moroccan culture is

VS
clearly normative. People in such societies have a
strong concern with establishing the absolute
Truth; they are normative in their thinking. They
exhibit great respect for traditions, a relatively
small propensity to save for the future, and a focus
on achieving quick results.
Indonesia’s high score of 62 indicates that it has a
pragmatic culture. In societies with a pragmatic
orientation, people believe that truth depends very
much on situation, context and time. They show an
ability to adapt traditions easily to changed conditions, a
strong propensity to save and invest, thriftiness, and
perseverance in achieving results.
 Indulgence
Morocco
 Morocco’s low score on this dimension (25)
VS
indicates that is has a culture of Restraint.
Societies with a low score in this dimension have a
tendency to cynicism and pessimism. Also, in
contrast to Indulgent societies, Restrained
societies do not put much emphasis on leisure
time and control the gratification of their desires.
People with this orientation have the perception
that their actions are Restrained by social norms
and feel that indulging themselves is somewhat
wrong.
Indonesia
The low score of 38 in this dimension shows that
Indonesia has a culture of Restraint. Societies with a low
score in this dimension have a tendency to cynicism and
pessimism. Also, in contrast to Indulgent societies,
Restrained societies do not put much emphasis on
leisure time and control the gratification of their desires.
People with this orientation have the perception that
their actions are Restrained by social norms and feel that
indulging themselves is somewhat wrong.
FACTS ABOUT MOROCCO
Tea Is The Most Popular Drink in Morocco
Moroccans enjoy a special green tea drink
called atai. Atai is a mix of green tea, mint and
sugar. Brewing and serving tea is considered
an art form in Morocco and holds cultural
significance. Guests are often offered tea and
it is viewed as rude to not drink the popular
beverage.
Dress For Subtropical Temperatures
With temperatures as high as 95 degrees
Fahrenheit (35 degrees Celsius) and lows of
around 41 degrees Fahrenheit (5 degrees
Celsius), Morocco features a beautiful
Mediterranean climate. It is recommended
travelers wear lightweight cottons and linens
during summer months. The gorgeous
weather makes Morocco a great place to visit
any time of the year.
Always Say Yes to Meat in Morocco
In addition to tea, Morocco facts tell us meat
also plays an important part in the guest-host
relationship. It is considered rude to refuse
meat, so if you’re offered meat in Morocco,
say yes!
 STRATEGIES TO
INTERCULTURAL
COMMUNICATION
• Moroccans are very careful and indirect in their
communication style. Any direct confrontation
with a Moroccan could cause a loss of face and
hence shame for their family, thereby potentially
dooming your future relationship.
• It is considered better to express a criticism
through a colleague or friend, rather than face to
face. Also, a Moroccan may say one thing in public
to avoid awkwardness or shame, but sing a
different tune when no longer in the public
spotlight.
• A Moroccan adage reminds one to “Praise your
friend in public but reprimand him in private.”
THANK YOU
.

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