Geert hofstede: cultural-dimensions theory
Professor Geert Hofstede is a world renowned Dutch social psychologist and anthropologist who is known for his studies on the interactions between different cultures. Although having received numerous awards throughout the world for his intercultural research, his most notable work is his theory on cultural dimensions.
According to Hofstede, values of employees within a workplace are ultimately influenced by their respective country's culture (Hofstede, Hofstede, & Minkov, 2010). So, in order to better understand those values, one must analyze and focus on six primary dimensions of a nation's culture. These six cultural dimensions are then assigned a numerical value based upon a scoring system that uses a scale from 1 to 100. The six cultural dimensions are as follows:
Power-Distance Index: According to Hofstede, this dimension explains the level and degree in which social hierarchy plays a role within a culture. In essence, the defining aspect of this dimension is "how a society handles inequalities among people" (Hofstede, Hofstede, & Minkov, 2010). Cultures with high levels of Power-Distance are associated with possessing hierarchical order throughout their society. Members of these types of cultures generally accept their societal position, and there is a general understanding that there is no need to question one's own position. In societies with a low Power Distance, however, people generally attempt to equalize the distribution of power.
Individualism vs. Collectivism: Cultures with a high rating in this dimension are more structured around individualism. That is to say, individuals in these types of cultures are generally expected to only focus on themselves and their immediate family members. Collectivism, on the other hand, represents a culture that possesses more of a "we" attitude, and focuses on the welfare of a group as a whole.
Masculinity vs. Femininity: Cultures that rate high in this dimension can be categorized as possessing values structured around Masculinity. Moreover, these types of cultures generally are more achievement driven, value heroism, and view assertiveness as desirable traits. Cultures structured around femininity, however, tend to value things such as cooperation and modesty. Fewer differences between gender roles is also a noticeable characteristic of these types of cultures as well.
Uncertainty-Avoidance index: This dimension of a nation's culture represents the level of comfort its members feel toward uncertainty and ambiguity. Cultures with a high rating in this dimension are generally less tolerant of change and are known to implement rigid rules and laws. Cultures with a low rating, on the other hand, tend to be more open to change and are more comfortable with unknowns.
Long-term Orientation vs. Short-term Orientation: According to Hofstede, "every society has to maintain some links with its own past while dealing with the challenges of the present and the future" (Hofstede, Hofstede, & Minkov, 2010). Cultures that score low in this dimension are known to value tradition more over societal change. Cultures with a high score in this dimension, however, are more open to modernized education and societal changes.
Indulgence vs. Restraint: According to this dimension, cultures can be characterized by how free the members of a society are to go after "basic and natural human drives related to enjoying life and having fun." Those with a low rating are therefore more associated as being a society that "suppresses gratification of needs and regulates it by means of strict social norms" (Hofstede, Hofstede, & Minkov, 2010).
According to Hofstede, values of employees within a workplace are ultimately influenced by their respective country's culture (Hofstede, Hofstede, & Minkov, 2010). So, in order to better understand those values, one must analyze and focus on six primary dimensions of a nation's culture. These six cultural dimensions are then assigned a numerical value based upon a scoring system that uses a scale from 1 to 100. The six cultural dimensions are as follows:
Power-Distance Index: According to Hofstede, this dimension explains the level and degree in which social hierarchy plays a role within a culture. In essence, the defining aspect of this dimension is "how a society handles inequalities among people" (Hofstede, Hofstede, & Minkov, 2010). Cultures with high levels of Power-Distance are associated with possessing hierarchical order throughout their society. Members of these types of cultures generally accept their societal position, and there is a general understanding that there is no need to question one's own position. In societies with a low Power Distance, however, people generally attempt to equalize the distribution of power.
Individualism vs. Collectivism: Cultures with a high rating in this dimension are more structured around individualism. That is to say, individuals in these types of cultures are generally expected to only focus on themselves and their immediate family members. Collectivism, on the other hand, represents a culture that possesses more of a "we" attitude, and focuses on the welfare of a group as a whole.
Masculinity vs. Femininity: Cultures that rate high in this dimension can be categorized as possessing values structured around Masculinity. Moreover, these types of cultures generally are more achievement driven, value heroism, and view assertiveness as desirable traits. Cultures structured around femininity, however, tend to value things such as cooperation and modesty. Fewer differences between gender roles is also a noticeable characteristic of these types of cultures as well.
Uncertainty-Avoidance index: This dimension of a nation's culture represents the level of comfort its members feel toward uncertainty and ambiguity. Cultures with a high rating in this dimension are generally less tolerant of change and are known to implement rigid rules and laws. Cultures with a low rating, on the other hand, tend to be more open to change and are more comfortable with unknowns.
Long-term Orientation vs. Short-term Orientation: According to Hofstede, "every society has to maintain some links with its own past while dealing with the challenges of the present and the future" (Hofstede, Hofstede, & Minkov, 2010). Cultures that score low in this dimension are known to value tradition more over societal change. Cultures with a high score in this dimension, however, are more open to modernized education and societal changes.
Indulgence vs. Restraint: According to this dimension, cultures can be characterized by how free the members of a society are to go after "basic and natural human drives related to enjoying life and having fun." Those with a low rating are therefore more associated as being a society that "suppresses gratification of needs and regulates it by means of strict social norms" (Hofstede, Hofstede, & Minkov, 2010).
Examples of hofstede models
ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES
Since Hofstede's model is based off of research conducted on employees from one organization (IBM), a major advantage is that his findings are "unlikely to be affected by differences in company culture" (Smith, 2015). In addition, by utilizing Hofstede's model, one can quantify the differing dimensions of a culture in order to gain a better understanding, both visually and quantitatively. The primary disadvantage to this approach, however, is that since only one organization was utilized in his study, Hofstede's model may be argued to skew more general results. In addition, one must also take into consideration that this model is used to define a culture as a whole, and is not intended to be applied toward individuals. For although certain aspects and characteristics may be applicable, an individual is still ultimately a unique person with their own set of personal experiences that have shaped his or her values over the period of their life.