Compare and contrast individualism and collectivism.

Answers will vary. In cultures where individualism predominates, the social framework is loose and employees put loyalty to themselves and their families ahead of loyalty to their company and work group. Cultures characterized by collectivism, on the other hand, are tightly knit social frameworks in which individual members depend strongly on others and group decisions are valued and accepted.
North American and European cultures are individualistic in orientation. Managers in Great Britain and the Netherlands, for example, emphasize and encourage individual achievement. In contrast, in collectivist cultures, such as Israeli kibbutzim and Japan, people view group loyalty and unity as paramount. Collectivistic managers seek to fit harmoniously within the group and encourage their employees to do the same. The world's regions are patterned with varying degrees of this cultural difference. Please see the section "Cultural Differences and Work-Related Attitudes" for more information.