ABSTRACT
It is impossible to study anything without at least implicitly comparing it with something else. Comparative analysis is a shift away from concentration on a unique organization, country, or culture toward seeking generalization about patterns of relationships in a variety of settings. Cross-cultural comparative management studies look at business organizations and their management in various cultural settings. In recent years, an increasing number of researchers in the field have stated that the studies should describe organizational behavior within countries and cultures, compare organizational behavior across countries and cultures, and, perhaps most importantly, seek to understand and improve the interactions of co-workers from different countries and cultures [1]. In this chapter, we shall examine two important issues in the study of comparative management-the universality of theories and the transferability of practices. In addition, the concept of culture will be examined to better equip ourselves for a meaningful comparative analysis of management across cultures.
