Failure to Learn from Cross-Cultural Interaction: Lessons from a Simulation Model of the Greenland Norse Colony

• Main Authors: Ambroz, Kristjan, Olaya, Camilo
• Other Authors: Bouncken, Ricarda B.
• Format: Book Part
• Language: English
• Published: Duncker & Humblot 2006
• Subjects: law; learning; culture; simulation; system dynamics; adaptation; Greenland; inuit
• Online Access: http://www.alexandria.unisg.ch/30564/

The aim of this paper is to examine the value of cross-cultural interaction and the consequences of the lack thereof. To accomplish this task the interaction of two older cultures is examined namely the Greenland Norse and the Greenland Inuit. Failure to cooperate drove the former to extinction, while the latter managed to survive in the same environment for a lot longer and showed a very cooperative attitude to other cultures that they encountered. With the help of computer simulation valuable lessons for intercultural contexts in organizations and societies in general are extracted and shown from this case. These adhere to the prominence of principles such as adaptation and collective intelligence. Refusal to learn by interaction - in order to overcome dysfunctional reinforcing cycles - is the key to understanding the failure of the Norse.