Cultural Differences

• What makes cultures different?

• Why causes cultural differences problems?

The Geert Hofstede model

“Culture is more often a source of conflict than of synergy. Cultural differences are a nuisance at best and often a disaster.”

• Power distance => PDI• Indivualism => IDV• Uncertainty Avoidance => UAI• Masculinity => MAS• Long Time Orientation => LTO

Power DistanceDefinition:“The extend to which the less powerful members of institutions and organizations within a country expect and accept that power is distributed

unequally.” Hofstede 1991: 28

Country Power Distance Index (PDI)

Mexico 81France 68USA 40Germany 35Denmark 18

Individualism vs. Collectivism

Country Individualism Index (IDV)

USA 91France 71Germany 40Turkey 37Mexico 30

Masculinity vs. Femininity

Masculinity = clearly distinct gender roles – men:

• assertive, tough• focused on material

success

– women: • modest, tender• concerned with quality of

life

Femininity = overlapping gender roles– both men and women:

• modest, tender• concerned with quality of

life

Masculinity vs. Femininity

Country Masculinity Index (MAS)

Japan 91Germany 66USA 62France 43Sweden 5

Ländercodes

Uncertainty Avoidance

Uncertainty Avoidance

Uncertainty Avoidance

Country Uncertainty Avoidance Index

(UAI)

Greece 112Mexico 82Germany 65USA 46Sweden 29

Long Time Orientation

Germany – USA• Individualism is

higher in the USA• Uncertainty

Avoidance is more important in Germany

Literature

Crosscultural Communication:• Geert Hofstede: Cultures and Organizations

– http://www.geert-hofstede.com/– http://www.cyborlink.com/besite/hofstede.htm

• Charles M. Hampden Turner, Fons Trompenaars: Building Cross-Cultural Competence

• Edward T. Hall: Beyond Culture• Philip R. Harris, Robert T. Moran, Sarah V. Moran:

Managing Cultural Differences, Sixth Edition: Global Leadership Strategies for the 21st Century

• Edgar H. Schein: The Corporate Culture Survival Guide

Author: Rolf Schwermer, rolf.schwermer@fh-hannover.deSeptember 2006