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Geert Hofstedes Cultural Dimensions

National cultures can be described according to the analysis of Geert Hofstede. These ideas werefirst based on a large research project into national culture differences across subsidiaries of amultinational corporation (IBM) in 64 countries. Subsequent studies by others covered students in 23countries, elites in 19 countries, commercial airline pilots in 23 countries, up-market consumers in 15

countries, and civil service managers in 14 countries. Together these studies identified and validatedfour independent dimensions of national culture differences, with a fifth dimension added later.

If you follow the links below you will find a map of the world for each cultural dimension, whichenables you to quickly see how similar or different countries or regions are.

Power DistanceIndividualismMasculinityUncertainty AvoidanceLong-Term Orientation

The drawbacks of applying the Hofstede Model

The Hofstede Model of Cultural Dimensions can be of great use when it comes to analyzing acountrys culture. There are however a few things one has to keep in mind.

Firstly, the averages of a country do not relate to individuals of that country. Even though this modelhas proven to be quite often correct when applied to the general population, one must be aware thatnot all individuals or even regions with subcultures fit into the mould. It is to be used as a guide tounderstanding the difference in culture between countries, not as law set in stone. As always, thereare exceptions to the rule.

Secondly, how accurate is the data? The data has been collected through questionniares, which havetheir own limitations. Not only that, but in some cultures the context of the question asked is asimportant as its content. Especially in group-oriented cultures, individuals might tend to answerquestions as if they were addressed to the group he/she belongs to. While on the other hand in theUnited States, which is an individualistic culture, the answers will most likely be answered andperceived through the eyes of that individual.

Lastly, is the data up to date? How much does the culture of a country change over time, either byinternal or external influences?

For more indepth information you can find this model clearly outlined in Geert Hofstedesbook, Cultures and Organizations, Software of the Mind.

http://www.clearlycultural.com/geert-hofstede-cultural-dimensions/power-distance-index/http://www.clearlycultural.com/geert-hofstede-cultural-dimensions/power-distance-index/http://www.clearlycultural.com/geert-hofstede-cultural-dimensions/power-distance-index/http://www.clearlycultural.com/geert-hofstede-cultural-dimensions/individualism/http://www.clearlycultural.com/geert-hofstede-cultural-dimensions/individualism/http://www.clearlycultural.com/geert-hofstede-cultural-dimensions/individualism/http://www.clearlycultural.com/geert-hofstede-cultural-dimensions/masculinity/http://www.clearlycultural.com/geert-hofstede-cultural-dimensions/masculinity/http://www.clearlycultural.com/geert-hofstede-cultural-dimensions/masculinity/http://www.clearlycultural.com/geert-hofstede-cultural-dimensions/uncertainty-avoidance-index/http://www.clearlycultural.com/geert-hofstede-cultural-dimensions/uncertainty-avoidance-index/http://www.clearlycultural.com/geert-hofstede-cultural-dimensions/uncertainty-avoidance-index/http://www.clearlycultural.com/geert-hofstede-cultural-dimensions/long-term-orientation/http://www.clearlycultural.com/geert-hofstede-cultural-dimensions/long-term-orientation/http://www.clearlycultural.com/geert-hofstede-cultural-dimensions/long-term-orientation/http://www.clearlycultural.com/geert-hofstede-cultural-dimensions/long-term-orientation/http://www.clearlycultural.com/geert-hofstede-cultural-dimensions/uncertainty-avoidance-index/http://www.clearlycultural.com/geert-hofstede-cultural-dimensions/masculinity/http://www.clearlycultural.com/geert-hofstede-cultural-dimensions/individualism/http://www.clearlycultural.com/geert-hofstede-cultural-dimensions/power-distance-index/

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Geert Hofstedeproposed a systematic framework for assessing and differentiatingnational culturesinrelation toorganizational cultureknown as the cultural dimensions theory. He gathered andanalyzed extensive data on the world'svaluesand cultures, particularly through theIBMsurvey study,in order to build a comprehensive model which argues that people differ across on the extent to whichthey endorse six dimensions of values power (equality versus inequality), collectivism (versusindividualism), uncertainty avoidance (versus tolerance), masculinity (versus femininity), temporal

orientation, and indulgence (versus restraint).

Dimensions of national cultures

Power distanceindex (PDI): Power distance is the extent to which the less powerful members

of organizations and institutions (like the family) accept and expect that power is distributed

unequally. Cultures that endorse low power distance expect and accept power relations that are

more consultative or democratic. People relate to one another more as equals regardless of

formal positions. Subordinates are more comfortable with and demand the right to contribute to

and critique thedecision makingof those in power. In high power distance countries, less

powerful accept power relations that are moreautocraticandpaternalistic. Subordinates

acknowledge the power of others simply based on where they are situated in certain

formal,hierarchical positions. As such, the power distance index Hofstede defines does not

reflect an objective difference in power distribution, but rather the way people perceive power

differences.

Individualism(IDV) vs.collectivism: The degree to which individuals are integrated into groups.

In individualistic societies, the stress is put on personal achievements and individual rights.

People are expected to stand up for themselves and their immediate family, and to choose their

own affiliations. In contrast, in collectivist societies, individuals act predominantly as members of

a life-long and cohesive group or organization (note: The word collectivism in this sense has no

political meaning: it refers to the group, not to the state). People have largeextended families,

which are used as a protection in exchange for unquestioningloyalty.

Uncertaintyavoidance index(UAI): a society's tolerance for uncertainty andambiguity. It

reflects the extent to which members of a society attempt to cope withanxietyby minimizing

uncertainty. People in cultures with high uncertainty avoidance tend to be moreemotional. They

try to minimize the occurrence of unknown and unusual circumstances and to proceed with

carefulchangesstep by step by planning and by implementingrules, laws and regulations. In

contrast, low uncertainty avoidance cultures accept and feel comfortable in unstructured

situations or changeable environments and try to have as few rules as possible. People in these

cultures tend to be morepragmatic, they are more tolerant of change.

Masculinity(MAS), vs.femininity: The distribution of emotional roles between thegenders.

Masculine cultures values arecompetitiveness,assertiveness,materialism,ambitionand power,

whereas feminine cultures place more value onrelationshipsandquality of life. In masculine

cultures, the differences between gender roles are more dramatic and less fluid than in feminine

cultures where men and women have the same values emphasizing modesty and caring. As a

result of the taboo on sexuality in many cultures, particularly masculine ones, and because of the

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obvious gender generalizations implied by Hofstede's terminology, this dimension is often

renamed by users of Hofstede's work, e.g. to Quantity of Life vs. Quality of Life.

Long term orientation (LTO), vs. short term orientation: First called Confucian dynamism, it

describes societiestime horizon. Long term oriented societies attach more importance to the

future. They fosterpragmatic valuesoriented towardsrewards, including persistence, saving and

capacity for adaptation. In short term oriented societies, values promoted are related to the past

and the present, including steadiness, respect for tradition, preservation of ones

face,reciprocationand fulfillingsocial obligations.

Indulgence, vs. restraint: Societies with a high rate of indulgence allowhedonisticbehaviors:

people can freely satisfy their basic needs and desires. On the opposite side, restraint define

societies with strictsocial norms, where gratification of drives are suppressed and regulated.

[edit]Differences between cultures on the values dimensions

Putting together national scores (from 1 for the lowest to 120 for the highest), Hofstedes sixdimensions model allow international comparison between cultures, also calledcomparative

research:[5]

Power distance index shows very high scores for Latin and Asian countries, African areas and the

Arab world. On the other hand Anglo and Germanic countries have a lower power distance (only

11 for Austria and 18 for Denmark).

For example, the United States has a 40 on the cultural scale of Hofstedes analysis.

Compared to Guatemala where the power distance is very high (95) and Israel where it is

very low (13), the United States is in the middle.

In Europe, power distance tends to be lower in northern countries and higher in southern and

eastern parts: for example, 90 for Romania, 57 for Spain vs. 31 for Sweden and 35 for the

United Kingdom.

Regarding the individualism index, there is a clear gap between developed and Western

countries on one hand, and less developed and eastern countries on the other. North

America and Europe can be considered as individualistic with relatively high scores: for

example, 80 for Canada and Hungary. In contrast, Asia, Africa and Latin America have

strong collectivistic values: Colombia scores only 13 points on the IDV scale, and

Indonesia 14. The greatest contrast can be drawn comparing two extreme countries on

this dimension: 6 points for Guatemala vs. 91 points score for the United States. Japan

and the Arab world have middle values on this dimension.

Uncertainty avoidance scores are the highest in Latin American countries, Southern and

Eastern Europe countries including German speaking countries, and Japan. They are

lower for Anglo, Nordic, and Chinese culture countries. However few countries have very

low UAI. For example, Germany has a high UAI (65) and Belgium even more (94)

compared to Sweden (29) or Denmark (23) despite their geographical proximity.

Masculinity is extremely low in Nordic countries: Norway scores 8 and Sweden only 5. Incontrast, Masculinity is very high in Japan (95), and in European countries like Hungary,

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Austria and Switzerland influenced by German culture. In the Anglo world, masculinity

scores are relatively high with 66 for the United Kingdom for example. Latin countries

present contrasting scores: for example Venezuela has a 73 point score whereas Chiles

is only 28.

High long term orientation scores are typically found in East Asia, with China having 118,

Hong Kong 96 and Japan 88. They are moderate in Eastern and Western Europe, and

low in the Anglo countries, the Muslim world, Africa and in Latin America. However there

is less data about this dimension.

There is even less data about the sixth dimension. Indulgence scores are highest in Latin

America, parts of Africa, the Anglo world and Nordic Europe; restraint is mostly found in

East Asia, Eastern Europe and the Muslim world.

[edit]Correlations of values with other country differences

Researchers have grouped some countries together by comparing countries value scoreswith other country difference such as geographical proximity, shared language, related

historical background, similar religious beliefs and practices, common philosophical

influences, identicalpolitical systems, in other words everything which is implied by the

definition of one nations culture. For example, low power distance is associated with

consultative political practices and income equity, whereas high power distance is correlated

with the use of bribery and corruption in domestic politics and the unequal distribution of

income. Individualism is positively correlated withmobilitybetween social classes and with

national wealth. In fact, when a country gets richer it has been observed that people get more

individualistic. Another example of correlation has been drawn by theSigma Two Group[6]

in

2003. They have studied the correlation between countries cultural dimensions and theirpredominate religion,

[7]based on theWorld Factbook2002. On average, predominantly

Catholic countries show very high uncertainty avoidance, relatively high power distance,

moderate masculinity and relatively low individualism, whereas predominantly atheist

countries tend to be collectivistic, with low uncertainty avoidance

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