Cultural Dimensions
(Hofstede)

Investigating five sorts (dimensions) of differences / value perspectives between national cultures. Explanation of Cultural Dimensions of Geert Hofstede. ('80)

Cultural DimensionsAccording to Geert Hofstede, there is no such thing as a universal management method or management theory, valid across the whole world. Even the word 'management' has different origins and meanings in countries throughout the world. Management is not a phenomenon that can be isolated from other processes taking place in society. It interacts with what happens in the family, at school, in politics, and government. It is obviously also related to religion and to beliefs about science.

 

The five Cultural Dimensions of Hofstede

The cultural dimensions model of Geert Hofstede is a framework that describes five sorts (dimensions) of differences / value perspectives between national cultures:

  • Power distance. The degree of inequality among people which the population of a country considers as normal.

  • Individualism versus collectivism. The extent to which people feel they are supposed to take care for, or to be cared for by themselves, their families or organizations they belong to.

  • Masculinity versus femininity. The extent to which a culture is conducive to dominance, assertiveness and acquisition of things. Versus a culture which is more conducive to people, feelings and the quality of life.

  • Uncertainty avoidance. The degree to which people in a country prefer structured over unstructured situations.

  • Long-term versus short-term orientation. Long-term: values oriented towards the future, like saving and persistence. Short-term: values oriented towards the past and present, like respect for tradition and fulfilling social obligations.

To understand management in a country, one should have both knowledge and empathy with the entire local scene. However, the scores of the unique statistical survey that Hofstede carried out should make everybody aware that people in other countries may think, feel, and act very differently from yourself, even when confronted with basic problems of society. Any person dealing with Management or Strategy is well advised to constantly remember the lessons from Hofstede's Cultural Dimensions Theory. Human beings have a deceiving tendency to think and feel and act from their own experiences, especially when they work internationally.

 

Book: Geert Hofstede - Cultures Consequences : International Differences in Work-Related Values -

Book: Geert Hofstede - Cultures and Organizations: Software of the Mind -

 

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Recent User Comments
aggy - Nigeria Application of Hofstede's theory "What are the implications of Hofstede's theory, how can the theory be applied?"    5
 - Bahamas Cuktural Dimensions still Valid? "Hofstede cultural dimensions are over 30 years old. Are they still valid.. that can be questioned."    0
 - Italy Cross Cultural Communication "For my research in intercultural communication inside organizations, I am looking for cultural differences between western (better Italian) and eastern Europe, in particularly in Poland, Serbia and Croatia. Who can help me to find out any important elements of difference?"    4
 - Peru Sharing Knowledge in Multicultural Teams "Sharing knowledge (tacit and learned) between human beings from any part of the world with a simple and sincere converstation can eliminate differences on ways of thinking. Because a total agreement can be reached from their own opinions, even when they have different cultures and believes."    1
Gunnar - Norway Application areas of Hofstede "If you think about it, there are lots of areas and levels where Hofstedes cultural dimensions model can be applied: + Concretising / discussing any (vague) culture. + Comparing current versus future (desired) cultures + Comparing cultures of countries / regions + Comparing cultures of companies / divisions / departments + Managing multicultural teams + Analysing / coaching behavior of managers or leaders"    -14
Best User Comments
Heylen - Belgium 6th Dimension "Pride and Self-esteem -- probably should have been added as a 6th dimension. In many cultures the need to retain one's pride and self-esteem can strongly influence the decision of a manager. Managers often prefer to take a bad decision avoiding to loose their face, even when aware of better options."    18

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Compare with: Cultural Intelligence  |  Culture Types  |  Bottom of the Pyramid  |  Maslow Hierarchy of Needs  |  Coaching  |  Leadership Pipeline  |  Mentoring  |  Herzberg Two Factor Theory  |  ERG Theory  |  Spiral Dynamics  |  Ashridge Mission Model  |  Theory X Theory Y

 

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  ●  (Germany) Cultural Dimensions "Dear Ilonka, To my mind the standard answer would be that cultural core values are slow to change, so in that respect the answer is yes. On the other hand, the dimensions are no more than a necessarily coarse framework that can only indicate general preferences, as Hofstede says himself. In that respect it may be that stronger claims are sometimes made than are warranted by the master himself."
  ●  (Mexico) Cultural Dimensions are still valid "The five dimensions of Hofstede are still valid even though the idea was developed more than 30 years ago. One thing is for sure. Culture is a constantly changing and perhaps, a country that was classified at one level of any of the cultural dimensions may not be in that spot now. Other dimensions might have to be added now that we have a better understanding of the issue. Still, the basic framework is excellent to study culture but knowing that we have to update countries classifications."

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  ● Alex (America) RE: 6th Dimension "I think that the idea of the 6th dimension is valid. However, that aspect could possibly be covered in Individualism vs Collectivism."
  ● K.H. (USA) Pride and self-esteem as 6th D. "How you mean, Alex?"
  ● Jasmine (Singapore) 6th Dimension "Yup i agree with Alex. Where people generally have a strong pride, refuse to admit shortcomings of themselves or their decisions, its pretty alike to being high in individualism. Cultures that value collectivism will have individuals who put the group or team before self. In that case, I think pride wouldn't be as strong."
  ● Noel (Australia) 6th dimension "The 6th dimension you are refering to, falls in the individualistic cultural dimension"
  ● Micdaddy (Australia) Wrong Heylen "In my opinion pride and self esteem is already covered with masculinity and femininity."
  ●  (USA) Cultural Dimensions "Pride and self esteem are expressions of the individual over the collective. These emotions are rightly included within the individual vs collective dimension."
  ● Dmitry (Russia) To Timothy "What about collective pride and individual pride?"

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