Hofstede’s National Cultural Dimensions Flashcards
Who was hofstede (intro)
One of first researchers to analyse influence of national culture on management practices
Describe the hofstede study and what hofstedes model is
Empirical study at large multinational company (IBM)
- 66 national subsidiaries
- hofstedes model is a six dimensional model that helps to understand teh culture of a country based on its cultural values.
List the four original dimensions
- Power distance
- Uncertainty avoidance
- Individualism/collectivism
- Masculinity/femininity
Give an example of low/high power distances in general and in management practices
Low power distance:
1. Question authority
2. superiors and subordinates regard one another as equal in power
High power distance:
1. Respect authority
2. acknowledge boss’s authority; superiors and subordinates are different kind of people
Explain the dimension of power distance
Power distance refers to the acceptance of authority
- degree less powerful members of society accept unequal distribution for power in organizations
Explain the individualist/collectivist dimension
Extent tend to fend and only care for themselves and their family and whether view themselves as member of larger group
General explanation and managerial example: individualism
Individualist
1. Only take care of themselves and family
2. Employees are expected to prioritise their own interests and career advancement
Collectivist
1. Also care about others and their families
2. Employees are expected to be loyal to the organization
Describe masculine/feminine dimension
How much society has traditional masculine/feminine characteristics
General explanation and managerial example
Masculinity
1. Society more competitive
2.Managers: decisive and assertive
Femininity
1. Society more consensus oriented
2. Managers: use intuition and strive for consensus
Explain low/high uncertainty avoidance
Degree society feels uncomfortable with uncertainty
General explaination and managerial example uncertainty avoidance
High uncertainty avoidance
1. Rules, laws, procedures
2. Managers implement clear rules and procedures
Low uncertainty avoidance
1. Org activities less formal, more risk taking
2. Less emphasis on rules and procedures
Which two dimensions were added and where were they found?
- short term vs long term orientation: the Chinese Value Study (1985)
- indulgence vs restraint: analysis done by Michael Minkov (World VAlues Survey) (2010)
Explain short vs long term orientation
How society maintains link s with past while dealing with challenges of present and future
General explanation and managerial example short vs long-term orientation
Long-term orientation:
1. value persistence, thrift and order in relationships
2. Stress is on future market position
Short-term orientation:
1. maintain traditions/norms: sceptical towards change
2. Stress is on short term profits
Explain indulgence vs restraint dimension
Extent to which society allows basic/natural desires to be gratified in its pursuit of happiness
