Cultural Metaphors: Their Use in Management Practice as a Method for Understanding Cultures

Abstract

This essay makes the case that in-depth analyses of national cultures must be added to the
dimensional view on culture, which is likely the most significant advancement in cross-cultural
understanding in the last 50 years. A cultural metaphor, defined as any action, occurrence, or
institution that individuals of a certain culture emotionally and/or intellectually connect with, aims
to alleviate such a condition. Hence, cultural metaphors serve as a reflection of a culture's core
beliefs.