Hofstede-4-dimensions

Hofstede’s Four Cultural Value System ?individualism-collectivism ?Uncertainty avoidance ?power distance ?masculinity-femininity 2.1 Individualism vs. Collectivism ?Individualistic cultures “I” consciousness independence, competition, negative face need ?Collectivist cultures “We” consciousness, interdependence, group harmony, positive face need ?Strong influence on social relationships The concept of ingroups and outgroups Rules Vs relationships, strangers Vs associates ?All people and cultures have both individual and collective dispositions. Ranking of Individualism ?Case study: At the negotiating table, differences in this dimension can clearly cause serious conflict. Americans too often expect their Japanese counterparts to make decisions right at the negotiating table, and the Japanese are constantly surprised to find individual members of the American team promoting their own positions, decisions, and ideas, sometimes openly contradicting one another. 2.2 Uncertainty Avoidance ?It involves theextend to which a culture would avoid or tolerate uncertainty. ?High uncertainty avoidance cultures think of the uncertainty inherent in life as a continuous hazard that must be avoided. They try to avoid uncertainty and ambiguity by providing stability for their members, establishing more formal rules. (a higher level of anxiety and stress) ?Low uncertainty avoidance cultures more easily accept the uncertainty inherent in life and are not as threatened by deviant people and ideas, so they tolerate the unusual. They prize initiative and more willing to take risks, more flexible. (less tense, more relaxed) 不确定性规避 ?不确定性规避的核心就是认为未来不可知。虽然可能每个人都在预测未来,但是没有人能够丝毫无误地预知下一刻、下一天、下一年或下十年会发生什么事情。美霍夫斯泰德用不确定性规避一词来“界定一种程度,一种当人们遇到混乱不清、难以预测的情况时所感到的不安程度。通过对严格的行为方式的遵循和对绝对真理的信仰,他们尽力避免这些情况。” 高度不确定性规避文化为了避免不确定性和模糊性,常常向其成员提供稳定性,制定正式的规则,不容忍偏离观点和行为,寻求共识,并相信绝对的真理。他们感到的焦虑和压力较高:人们认为生活中的不确定性会持久为患,因此必须避免。为了增强生活的有序性,他们非常需要成文的规则、计划、规范、典礼和仪式。具有强烈不确定性规避倾向的国家有葡萄牙、希腊、秘鲁、比利时和日本 相反,人们发现像瑞典、丹麦、爱尔兰、挪威、美国、芬兰和荷兰等国家,比较容易接受生活中的不确定性,不为偏离的人或主张所困扰, 因此他们对不寻常性的容忍度比较强。他们喜欢上进,不喜欢等级关系。他们乐于冒险,灵活性强,认为规则越少越好,他们对专家的依赖性不强,而更多地相信自己。整体而言,低度不确定性规避文化心态较为放松。 Ranking of Uncertainty Avoidance 2.3 Power Distance ?High PD Culture: People who hold power and people who are affected by power are significantly far apart Vertical, hierarchical (everybody has a rightful place) E.g. India, Brazil, Singapore, Greece, Venezuela, Mexico, etc. ?Low PD Culture: The power holders and people affected by the power holders are significantly closer Horizontal (inequality in society should be minimized) E.g. Austria, Finland, Denmark, Norway, New Zealand, etc. 2.4 Masculinity vs. Femininity ?Cultures high in the masculinity dimension focus on achievement, power, and possessions, regarding work as more central to one’s life, differing gender roles more than feminine culture. (performance society) ?Cultures high in the femininity dimension value interpersonal relationships, nurturance, compassion, and quality of life. (welfare society) Ranking of Masculinity Limitations of Hofstede’s model ?Because the people Hofstede surveyed were middle managers in large multinational organizations, most of his findings are work related. ?Many important countries and cultures were not included in his study. ( no Arab countries, South Africa representing Africa, no information about mainland China) ?He emphasizes national culture, so it is not possible to know the layers of culture within nations.