This article is a short introduction to the subject of socio-cultural differences and some of the negative effects that may arise if these differences are not acknowledged, accepted and surmounted. It is recommended that readers also consult the Managing Socio-Cultural Diversity article to understand the subject more deeply and discover mitigation measures.

Definitions

The term socio-culture refers to the combination, or interaction, of social and cultural elements. Whilst socio-cultural factors can affect the performance of an individual working alone (e.g. due to ethical reasons), we are here concerned with socio-cultural factors where two or more people are interacting in the workplace. The definitions given here are tailored to suit the aviation perspective, especially on the flight deck.