Hofstede dimension of culture notes POPCOM presentation PDF

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Hofstede’s dimensions of culture Who is Geert Hofstede? • known for pioneering research on national and organisational cultures. • Cross cultural sociologist Geert Hofstede examined how values in the workplace are influenced by culture. • Hofstede collected and analysed data from over 100,000 individuals from forty countries. Using these results Hofstede developed a model of five key categories that cultures can be measured against. Dimensions of culture • a. Power distance b. Individualism-collectivism c. Masculinity-femininity d. Uncertainty Avoidance e. Long Term-Short-term Orientation

• These dimensions work on a continuum which measures the degree to which different cultures exhibit these characteristics. • Hofstede's research has been used widely in business as a training aid in understanding international cultural relationships.

• Hofstede insights is a tool used to determine a country’s score in each dimension based on statistics.

Power Distance • defined by Hofstede as 'the extent to which the less powerful members of institutions and organizations within a country expect and accept that power is distributed unequally'. • expresses the attitude of the culture toward these power inequalities amongst us. High Power Distance • High power distance is where an unequal power is accepted. • High power distance involves a paternalistic society where government control the best interests of individuals. • China is an example of a high-power distance country (score of 80). • China is a society that believes that inequalities amongst people are acceptable. There is no defence against power abuse by superiors. Low Power Distance • Low power distance is where authority is expected participate in decisions that affect the people. • Lower Power distance involves authority being distributed to many individuals. • Involves people challenging strategy or idea of leadership. • Australia is an example of having a low power distance (score of 36). • Australian superiors are always accessible, and managers rely on individual employees and teams for their expertise. Australian managers and employees expect to be consulted and information is shared frequently.

Individualism • the degree of interdependence a society maintains among its members. Individualist Societies • In Individualist societies people are supposed to look after themselves and their direct family only. • motivated by personal rewards and benefits. • comfortable working with autonomy and not part of a team • Australia is an example of an Individualist Society (score of 90). • Expectation is that people look after themselves and their immediate families. • In work context the decision of being hired depends on your experience. • Those in individualistic cultures might describe themselves in terms of personality traits and characteristics (e.g., "I am smart, funny, athletic, and kind"). • individualism may be found in Anglo countries, Germanic Europe, and Nordic Europe. Collectivist • In Collectivist societies people belong to groups that take care of them in exchange for loyalty. • People are encouraged to do what's best for society. • collectivist cultures, would more likely describe themselves in terms of their social relationships and roles (e.g., "I am a good son, brother, and friend"). • Cultures in Asia, South America, and Africa tend to be more collectivistic.

Masculinity v Femineity • focuses on how extent to which a society stress achievement or nurture. • Hofstede’s definitions of both: - “Masculinity stands for a society in which social gender roles are clearly distinct: Men are supposed to be assertive, tough, and focused on material success; women are supposed to be more modest, tender, and concerned with the quality of life.” - “Femininity stands for a society in which social gender roles overlap: Both men and women are supposed to be modest, tender, and concerned with the quality of life.” Masculinity • emphasizes ambition, acquisition of wealth, and differentiated gender roles. • Examples in different areas: Religion - most important thing in life - Only men can be priests. Social Norms - Ego orientated. - Money and things are important. - Live in order to work. Family and School - Girls cry Boys don’t; Boys fight Girls don’t. - Failing is a disaster. • Australia is considered a masculine society (score of 61). • Behaviour in school, work, and play are based on the shared values that people should “strive to be the best they can be” and that “the winner takes all”.

Femineity • trait which stresses caring and nurturing behaviours, sexuality equality, environmental awareness, and more fluid gender roles. • Examples in different areas: Religion - Less important in life - Men and women can be priests. Social Norms - Relationship orientated. - Quality of life and people are important. - Work In order to live. Family and school - Both boys and girls cry, both don’t fight. - Failing is considered a minor incident. • EL Salvador is a Feminine country (score of 40) - Society is driven by a certain amount of modesty and fairness.

Uncertainty avoidance • The extent to which the members of a culture feel threatened by ambiguous or unknown situations and have created beliefs and institutions that try to avoid these. • to what extent a culture programs its members to feel either uncomfortable or comfortable in unstructured situations. High Uncertainty avoidance • Examples in different areas Political/Legal System - Citizen protest repressed. - More specific laws and regulations School - Teachers have all answers. - Structured learning Family - Children taught world is hostile. • Greece has the highest score on Uncertainty Avoidance (score of 100). • In Greece, as in all high Uncertainty Avoidance societies, bureaucracy, laws, and rules are very important to make the world a safer place to live in. Low Uncertainty avoidance • Examples in different areas Political/Legal System - Citizen protest accepted. - Fewer and general laws and regulations School - Teachers may say “don’t know”. - Open ended learning Family - Children taught world is benevolent.

• UK has a low score on Uncertainty Avoidance (score of 35). • happy to wake up not knowing what the day brings and they are happy to ‘make it up as they go along’ changing plans as new information comes to light. • British are comfortable in ambiguous situations.

Long Term Orientation • how every society must maintain some links with its own past while dealing with the challenges of the present and future • this fifth dimension was added to distinguish the difference in thinking between the East and West. • Geert Hofstede added the following fifth (5th) dimension after conducting an additional international study using a survey instrument developed with Chinese employees and managers. High Long-Term Orientation • ranking indicates the country prescribes to the values of longterm commitments and respect for tradition. Low Long-term Orientation • Australia is an example of low long-term orientation (score of 21). • They exhibit great respect for traditions, a relatively small propensity to save for the future, and a focus on achieving quick results.

Resourceful things that have been used from this. • Hofstede's research has been used widely in business as a training aid in understanding international cultural relationships. • Hofstede insights is a tool used to determine a country’s score in each dimension based on statistics....