NORTH SOUTH UNIVERSITY

MGT 372International BusinessSec: 3Assignment #: 2FRANCE: Through the Eyes of HofstedeSubmitted To:Farzana ChoudhuryLecturerSchool of Business Submitted By: Country: France Group #: 31. Turjo Mazumder1110754030 2. Amir Hasan Khan1110804030 3. Sharzin Shavina Reza1110773030 4. Rounaq Jahan1110643030

Submission Date: 27th February, 2013

POWER DISTANCEFrance is a country with high in power distance according to the Geert Hofstedes analysis. We know it is a country with high in aristocracy and enrich in wealth. High power distance indicates that people of France accept an inequality; it means upper class people dominate on lower or middle class people. The power is highly centralized in France. The laws and regulation process is heavily controlled and maintained by the government and the process of any government action is strict and lengthy. In management, the attitude towards managers is more formal, the information flow is hierarchical. If we observe French people a bit carefully then we can see that Hofstedes analysis is correct. For example: French people are very picky on their dress and their appearance. French people is also a classic example of a true gentlemen because they take the etiquettes very seriously, their handshake is brief accompanied by a short span of eye contact. Always handshake with meeting someone, as well as when they are leaving. French handshake is not as firm as in the United States but a bit delicate which goes with everyone. However, we can also notice that higher class French people will try to avoid lower class people. They often judge the person on how they dress-up, attitude and body language. If a person is worn a bit poor cloth and ask for a direction you will notice that there is no one coming to help him or her. By this we can get a pretty clear picture about their high power distance in their society. Also the people in the lower stage of the hierarchy accept the fact that they are being ruled by the higher authority.According to the history France has had this same level of power distance and they still are following this. There is no or a very insignificant change in their power distance level and so we may conclude that Geert Hofstede was correct.

INDIVIDUALISM VS COLLECTIVISMFrench peoples are prone to individualism that means the French favor individual and private opinions, taking care of themselves and immediate family rather than belonging to a group. It has been found out that French people frequently interrupt each other, as the argument is a form of entertainment.In the work environment, the relationship with work is contract based, the focus is on the task and autonomy is favored. The communication is more direct and everyone is allowed to speak up, voice out their own opinions even if they do not agree. The management is individuals and the recognition of ones work is expected rather than group or team work effort.French people used to be independent at the age of 18. They like to do their own job they do not want to dependent on others or their parents. They are very introvert in nature. They often mix up with other people.

Even though France is 10th on the rank of individualistic countries recent changes have had a little bit influence on the scenario. Frances collectivist President Hollande proposed a super-tax on the wealthy. This policy has a little bit affect on the individualists of the country and let them to think about the poor people more. So the scale of individualism might have declined in last few months.

MASCULINITY VS FEMINITY

Based on Geert Hofstedes analysis France is a relatively Feminine country. The society cares for its quality of life and focuses more on work in order to live than the reverse. France is very famous for its welfare economy system around the world. Therefore, people of France are more relying on the government for their welfare.

In the French society the people are less concerned about gender roles and duties. Every people are treated equally regardless of their gender. Their focus is in more on the performance and contribution to the society. In France the competition to become the best attitude is less noticed and unlike masculine countries everyone is treated equally. Especially the helpless are treated with much respect. In the job sector the management is much unbiased in terms of treating both genders.

Even though French are feministic, recent increase in female torture and rape is an indication that France is not totally a feministic country having safe environment for both males and females.

UNCERTAINITY AVOIDANCE

The dimension of uncertainty avoidance measures how much member of a society attempt to cope up with the fact that the future can never be known. France has the highest scores on the uncertainty avoidance. In culture with high uncertainty avoidance, people prefer clear rules and formally structured activities. In business the rules and regulations are pretty strict. France many strict regulations are used and tasks are heavily centralized in companies In order to avoid any types of risk. Also the legal system of France is pretty much strict for avoiding any sort of illegal activity.By observing the recent phenomenon we can conclude that Geert Hoffstede was correct about the fact that France has the highest uncertainty avoidance rate.