Hofstede Flashcards
What is the mechanism whereby culturally determined beliefs perpetuate themselves?
Self-fulfilling prophecy
What are the four dimensions which Hofstede uses to measure national culture?
Power Distance, Uncertainty Avoidance, Individualism-Collectivism and MasculinityFemininity .
What is Power Distance?
The extent to which a society accepts the fact that power in institutions and organisations is distributed unequally.
What is Uncertainty Avoidance?
The extent to which a society feels threatened by uncertain and ambiguous situations and tries to avoid these situations. Strong uncertainty avoidance = high anxiety = strong inner urge to work hard.
What is Individualism-Collectivism?
Individualism implies a loosely knit social framework in which people are only supposed to take care of themselves and immediate family. Collectivism is characterised by a tight social framework in which people distinguish between in-groups and out-groups (expect to be looked after, in exchange for loyalty.
What is the Masculinity dimension?
The extent to which the dominant values in society are ‘masculine’ (assertiveness, acquisition of money, not caring for others etc.)
What did Sigmund Freud mean by our id?
The unconscious forces within is that impel us to act. Our ego tries to control these forces.
What is an example of a Swedish company that has turned work into group work using semi-autonomous teams?
Volvo – this is an example of humanization of work, which in Sweden and Norway takes the form of feminization, but in the US the form of masculinization.
Who was Machiavelli and what did he write? Which of Hofstede’s dimensions is Machiavelli associated with?
One of the oldest theorists of leadership in world literature, who wrote The Prince.
Countries with a large Power Distance score are associated with Machiavellian theories of leadership.
‘Hire and fire’ wouldn’t be seen in what type of countries?
Collectivist countries (such as China, Taiwan, Singapore).
