The Richardson Global Cultural Style Inventory (CSI) is a self-assessment tool
that measures individuals' preferences for cultural styles in the workplace as a
basis for comparison and contrast to the styles of others and is a first step in
improving the Cultural Quotient (CQ) of an individual, team or organization.

In order to maintain Richardson Global's standards of professionalism, all
consultants who use the CSI must first be certified in its use.

Based upon the copyrighted and trademarked Richardson Global CULTURAL
STYLE MODEL, the CSI provides users with feedback on their own style
preferences in three major domains of culture and seven related subdomains.  
While these three domains can be described and defined as separate concepts,
in actuality they interact and influence each other to a great degree.  Where two
domains support each other, there is a reinforcement of related cultural styles.  
Where all three domains support each other, the result is often the creation of a
set of very strong core cultural values and beliefs that may not be subject to
change or variation.




         
















In this model, input to the individual is represented by the white light entering the
prism from the left hand side.  This input is interpreted differently based upon an
individual's value systems in three domains: Cognitive, Environmental and
Interpersonal.  These domains interact with each other and result in seven style
continua as exemplified by the seven colors of the visual spectrum.  Content and
factor analyses conducted at New York University indicate that there are only
seven valid cultural continua.  These are described in greater detail below.

INTERPERSONAL DOMAIN

This domain reflects the accepted standards and norms of a particular
cultural group for reacting to others both within and outside the group.  
There may be different standards and norms for interacting with different
subsections of the group as well as for outsiders.

Transactional/Relational – Describes the degree to which personal
relationships and business exchanges are prioritized.  

Stratified/Egalitarian – Identifies the degree to which status and
differential positions within a social group are supported.  


ENVIRONMENTAL DOMAIN

This domain represents the accepted standards and norms of a particular
cultural group for interacting with forces within an individual’s sphere of
influence.

Controlling/Constrained – Describes the degree to which elements in
one’s sphere of influence can or cannot be manipulated.

Public/Private – Describes the level of comfort generated by different
spatial configurations and levels of information exchange.

COGNITIVE DOMAIN

The cognitive domain reflects the accepted standards and norms of a
particular cultural group for processing, codifying and applying data,
concepts and theoretical constructs.

Precise/Approximate – Expresses the degree to which elements are
perceived (interpreted) as specific or general in nature.  

Intuitive/Experimental – Identifies the manner in which data is collected
and processed.

Holistic/Detailed – Identifies the degree to which specific levels of
information are required to obtain an acceptable analysis, description or
explanation.
The Richardson Global Cultural Style Inventory