Leadership in Latin American organizations: an event management perspective

Abstract

Earlier characterizations of Latin American cultures are compared with data regarding the ways in which middle managers from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Venezuela describe their work methods. The data derive from questionnaire surveys in which managers indicate their sources of guidance for handling a series of day-to-day work events. Profiles from the different nations varied. but one notable theme in most samples was relatively low reliance on guidance from one's superiors. This finding is contrasted with Hofstede's (1980) characterization of Latin American samples as high in collectivism and power distance. Explanations in terms of concepts such as jeitinho and simpatia are discussed. A further study is then presented which compares demographic variables associated with variation in ways of handling events within Mexico and the United States. In this case differences between country profiles were greater than differences between the types of organization in which respondents worked.