...Hofstede’s Cultural Dimensions: A Comparison of Greece and U.S. Human Resource Management Approaches By Kelly M. Mistretta MBOL2 MBA 533, Human Resource in Management Dr. James C. Dumville Saint Leo University – Center for Online Learning September 9, 2012 Name: Kelly Mistretta Title: Hofstede’s Cultural Dimensions: A Comparison of Greece and U.S. Human Resource Management Approaches Date: September 9, 2012 Abstract Globalization continues to become more important in the business culture in our world. No longer can management focus only on companies within their own country. Businesses are forced to compete with companies from other countries. With the increased global competition, a business must understand other cultures if they hope to remain competitive and have continued success. There are several models that show the influence of cultural differences between nations. Hofstede’s model, called the theory of cultural relativity of organization practices is the most recognized model. Hofstede’s model focuses on cultural influences and work behaviors in five different dimensions. Each dimension has important implications in understanding business. This paper will compare the Hofstede analysis of Greece and the United States. Biographical Sketch Kelly Mistretta is currently an MBA student at Saint Leo University. Mistretta has a BA in Accounting and plans to obtain an MBA to equip her with improved business skills to better contribute to society...
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...SUmmer semester 2016, 11.06.2016 Table of Contents – Cultural Dimensions according to Hofstede 1. The psychologist Hofstede a) Geert Hofstede b) Gert-Jan Hofstede 2. The cultural dimensions a) Social Orientation - Individualism-Collectivism-Index (IDV) b) Power Orientation – Power-Distance-Index (PDI) c) Uncertainty Orientation – Uncertainty-Avoidance-Index (UAI) d) Goal Orientation – Masculinity-Femininity-Index (MAS) e) Time Orientation – Long-Time vs. Short-Time-Orientation-Index (LTO) 3. Examples – Germany, United States, Venezuela 4. Problems and Discrepancies 5. Conclusion 6. Bibliography 1 Cultural dimensions according to Geert Hofstede Classifying and comparing cultures is strongly connected with the name Geert Hofstede. The Dutch social psychologist, as he calls himself, was born in 1928 in Haarlem(Netherlands) as Gerard Hendrik Hofstede. He went to schools until 1945, that was when he completed the Diploma Gymnasium Beta. From 17 on until he was 25 years old, he studied Mechanical Engineering and ended it in 1953 with a Master’s Degree. After two years of military service he started working in managerial jobs until 1965. He completed his Ph.D. in Social Sciences in part time studies. Already during that time, from 1965 until 1971 he founded and managed the Personnel Research Department of IBM. In this time, he developed the theory of the Cultural Dimensions that are presented in this paper. He worked with 117.000...
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...Despite the huge number of studies about cultural dimensions, I think that it does not still exist a “perfect theory” which can help us understanding better other cultures. Professors L. Nardon and R. M. Steers try to find a solution not creating another brand-new theory, but providing what they call the “core cultural dimension”. The aim of the two professors is to seek convergence across the already existing theories, trying to facilitate both research and cross-cultural comparisons. The “core cultural dimensions” are: • Hierarchy - Equality • Individualism - Collectivism • Mastery - Harmony • Monochronism - Polychronism • Universalism – Particularism In spite of the attempt of solving the so-called “culture theory jungle”, they are not still come to the perfect theory. In my opinion, in order to find the perfect theory, a professor does not have to seek all the convergences among already existing cultural dimensions and make a summary of them, but, rather, he has to choose the right ones paying attention to the others. My perfect theory is formed by five dimensions and it deals with the following topics: • Use of time • Display emotions • Communication • Reach the goal Personally, I do not take into consideration any of the four clusters which Hofstede calls “the dimensions of national culture”. Of course, they can be considered the ancestors of later models and they inspired a lot of theorists, but they are also too old (1967-1973), too general,...
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...Cultural Dimensions Theory MGMT455 Unit 3 Assignment Cultural Dimensions Theory A Dutch social psychologist and anthropologist named Geert Hofstede studied how different cultures interact with one another. The framework for assessing the many differences between nations and cultures was established by him and called the cultural dimensions theory. The theory uses six cultural dimensions to place a value on them. The six cultural dimensions are power, collectivism, uncertainty avoidance, masculinity, temporal orientation, and indulgence. The data Hofstede gathered was based on surveys conducted by IBM, a US technology and consulting firm (Cultural, 2013). The power dimension such as equality versus inequality analyzes the way people feel about the power distribution. The individualism versus collectivism dimension is not political rather it refers to a group, not an individual. The uncertainty avoidance dimension measures how the society will deal with unknown circumstances, events, and stress change can bring. The masculinity versus femininity dimension measures the stereotypical masculine values and the feminine values and their level of importance within the culture. The long- versus short-term orientation dimension describes the time horizon of a society. The indulgence versus restraint dimension measures a culture’s ability to meet the immediate needs of its members (Cultural, 2013). In the Individuality dimension, the US is leading 91 to 67 over Germany. This...
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...Variations In Human Resource Management Based On Cultural Dimensions Tyrone Kelly Saint Leo University We recognize that we exist in a global economy. Advances in telecommunications and Internet technology have literally placed connectivity with the world at our fingertips. This evolution is a catalyst for people of various nations who would not ordinarily interact, to collaborate, work much closer, more intimately and more frequently than ever before. This is a very stimulating time, yet it is also challenging for Human Resource Management teams in administrations all over the world. Questions such as, what are the cultural business norms or taboos that one should be sensitive to, or how to interact in a business setting with someone of another culture will inevitably arise. Thus, learning the people, culture and work ethic of a host nation is just as important, if not more so than learning about its business, finance and engineering infrastructures. The requirements of developing strategies, organizing projects, and motivating individuals to achieve and maintain competitive advantage for joint ventures is essential. Just as important is the development of sincere relations with people from around the world. Understanding key element of cultural diversity will be critical in this endeavor. No matter where you are in the world, people expect to be treated with respect and honor when you are guests in their country. Attempts to change others to fit your paradigm, e.g....
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...Variations In Human Resource Management Based On Cultural Dimensions Tyrone Kelly Saint Leo University We recognize that we exist in a global economy. Advances in telecommunications and Internet technology have literally placed connectivity with the world at our fingertips. This evolution is a catalyst for people of various nations who would not ordinarily interact, to collaborate, work much closer, more intimately and more frequently than ever before. This is a very stimulating time, yet it is also challenging for Human Resource Management teams in administrations all over the world. Questions such as, what are the cultural business norms or taboos that one should be sensitive to, or how to interact in a business setting with someone of another culture will inevitably arise. Thus, learning the people, culture and work ethic of a host nation is just as important, if not more so than learning about its business, finance and engineering infrastructures. The requirements of developing strategies, organizing projects, and motivating individuals to achieve and maintain competitive advantage for joint ventures is essential. Just as important is the development of sincere relations with people from around the world. Understanding key element of cultural diversity will be critical in this endeavor. No matter where you are in the world, people expect to be treated with respect and honor when you are guests in their country. Attempts to change others to fit your paradigm, e.g....
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...analysis of his research’s findings revealed systematic differences in national cultures on four primary dimensions: power distance (PDI), individualism (IDV), uncertainty avoidance (UAI) and masculinity (MAS). In 1991, Michael Harris Bond, another researcher and his colleagues developed and administered a survey among students in 23 countries by using a survey instrument co-created with Chinese employees and managers. The results from this survey led Hofstede to add a new fifth dimension to his model: long term orientation (LTO). In order to gain a better understanding of the theory, I took the ITAP questionnaire to explore my own ideal view of culture in the workplace and how it compares to five other different countries/regions (Malaysia, Canada, Switzerland, East Africa and Brazil) that I pick for my interest. The results were then analyzed by using the cultural dimensions from Hofstede’s research. Power distance index (PDI): Power distance reflects the range of answers found in the various countries to the basic question of how to handle the fact that people are unequal. By using this index, countries can be distinguished by the way they tend to deal with inequalities (Hofstede, Minkov...Page 55). I scored less than 50 on a scale of 1-100 which means I have a preference for more of a participative orientation. My score in the low to the middle range of this dimension indicate I generally expect superior –...
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...the world (Deresky, 2008). Due to globalization, the international dimension of management has become a major challenge to countries, institutions and people. International management is becoming more important within the academic setting. International management is a process of developing strategies, designing and operating systems, and working with people around the world to ensure sustained competitive advantage (Sepehri, 2010, as cited in Lecture notes 1). This essay identifies the challenges of operating in different national cultures for international managers by using Hofstede’s theory. In addition, the essay explains international skills and knowledges required by managers to be successful in different countries. Cultural Value Dimensions Culture in a global economy is one of the most important factors in global economy. In international management research, Hofstede defined culture as "…the collective programming of the mind which distinguishes the members of one group or category of people from those of another" (Hofstede, 1991, as cited in Jones, 2007). Within the context of international management, culture involves different dimensions. Four major dimensions provide frameworks for identifying international differences in culture (Jones, 2007). First, GLOBE (Global Leadership and Organizational Behavior Effective) Project team classifies cultural differences along four different dimensions:...
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...According to Sweeney (2002), Geert Hofstede’s work on cultural dimension is considered to be very important to National Cultural attribute to a person’s value. However, in this article, the method of Hofstede's work are heavily criticised as the method used to formulate the notion are unreliable and misinterpreted as the author argues. Although the questionnaires used in Hofstede’s research were filled by 117,000 people, across 66 countries working in IBM, it is not guaranteed that these people effectively represent the national culture. Hofstede argued that values are formed in school and universities. Countering this argument the writer stated that, all schools and universities do not operate in the same standard. Furthermore, organizational culture also sufficiently influences the answers. Hence, questioning people from the same organization, performing similar job, doesn’t adequately support Hofstede’s methodology. The writer has mentioned in assumption two: the national is identifiable in the micro- local that triggers Hofstede’s argue in two ways where national culture is supposed to be carried by all individuals in a nation. Firstly, presupposition may not come with great outcome in all the time based on local sites of analysis. Apart from this, without supposition there are no valid grounds for treating local as representative of the national. Secondly, Hofstede defined occupational and organizational cultures as uniform. He also stated national culture only as average...
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...Hofstede’s Cultural Dimensions | China and the comparison to Germany | | | | Dennis Keidat | 01.04.2013 | | Gerard Hendrik Hofstede (born October 2, 1928 in Haarlem) is a Dutch expert in cultural studies [GHW]. Hofstede (1980) surveyed 88,000 IBM employees working in 66 countries and then ranked the countries on different cultural dimensions. His research resulted in four dimensions (power distance; individualism versus collectivism; uncertainty avoidance; and masculinity and femininity). In the beginning, China was not included in this study but later Bond and Hofstede looked at Chinese values. From this research they included a fifth cultural value dimension called: long-term versus short-term orientation [SKR]. Power Distance Index (PDI) The Power Distance index shows how less powerful individuals accept and expect an unequal distribution of power. High power distance means that power is unevenly distributed; low power distance means that power is more evenly distributed [TIP]. According to Geert Hofstede’s 5 dimensions China is located in the higher ranking at 80. That means that this society “believes that inequalities amongst people are acceptable†[GER]. The Power is centralised and the management is autocratic. The subordinate-superior relationship tends to be cleaved and “there is no defence against power abuse by superiors†[GER]. This means that “people are less willing to challenge authority which is likely due to old communism beliefs...
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...Professor Geert Hofstede is celebrated for his 1980s theory of the 5s dimensions. “Professor Geert Hofstede conducted one of the most comprehensive studies of how values in the workplace are influenced by culture” (geert-hofstede.com). In theory he discusses the factual evidence that culture is programmed by groups and diversities make collective differences large enough to categorize. Hofstede’s dimensions are useful to distinguish what is considered valuable to which groups/ societies. Hofstede was able to pinpoint areas that have toleration for each country. The five dimensions include: Power Distance (PDI): PDI measures the amount of acceptance dictated by the powerful for each culture. “In cultures with low power distance, people are likely to expect that power is distributed rather equally, and are furthermore also likely to accept that power is distributed to less powerful individuals” (businessmate.org). For instance, when the PDI is high for a country, people are most likely more accepting of the unbalanced nature. They have accepted the inequality as part of the rights of those with the power. PDI measures the extent to which a community will accept this division and inequality. Low Power distance would include equality factors like decentralized government with constant questioning of authority, conscious democratic structure where society is actively part of its management. High Power Distance societies are centralized hierarchical structures that reflect...
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...Cultural dimensions are tools used to identify the way a culture communicates and how that culture differentiates from others (Neuliep, 2015). These dimensions are: individualism-collectivism, high-low context, value orientations, power distance and uncertainty avoidance (Neuliep, 2015). Each dimension allows us to evaluate which aspects of culture influences communication. For example, we can see how a culture regards superiors and subordinates, and whether or not that changes the style of communication. These dimensions are especially important when doing business. Junior, Meyer and Murphy (2006) suggest that many organizations have lost their resources because they did business with other companies without understanding the local culture. If these companies had used the 5 dimensions, they would have been able to work more aptly on an international level by identifying the values of the culture they are working with, and adjusting their own style of communication to better suit the other culture. If one were to do business in Canada, there are some very important things that would need to be known in order to be successful. The Canadian backpack metaphor tells us that Canadians are sturdy, frugal and proud of their country. It also highlights that Canada is a small power distance, low-context, individualistic culture. What stood out most is that they impress upon their people that “no one person is inherently any better than others” (Gannon, 220). This would be especially...
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...Hofstede’s Cultural Dimensions | China and the comparison to Germany | | | | Dennis Keidat | 01.04.2013 | | Gerard Hendrik Hofstede (born October 2, 1928 in Haarlem) is a Dutch expert in cultural studies [GHW]. Hofstede (1980) surveyed 88,000 IBM employees working in 66 countries and then ranked the countries on different cultural dimensions. His research resulted in four dimensions (power distance; individualism versus collectivism; uncertainty avoidance; and masculinity and femininity). In the beginning, China was not included in this study but later Bond and Hofstede looked at Chinese values. From this research they included a fifth cultural value dimension called: long-term versus short-term orientation [SKR]. Power Distance Index (PDI) The Power Distance index shows how less powerful individuals accept and expect an unequal distribution of power. High power distance means that power is unevenly distributed; low power distance means that power is more evenly distributed [TIP]. According to Geert Hofstede’s 5 dimensions China is located in the higher ranking at 80. That means that this society “believes that inequalities amongst people are acceptable” [GER]. The Power is centralised and the management is autocratic. The subordinate-superior relationship tends to be cleaved and “there is no defence against power abuse by superiors” [GER]. This means that “people are less willing to challenge authority which is likely due to old communism beliefs which still have...
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...Frankfurt International Business Administration Cultural Diversity Professor: Hans Hahn Summer Semester 2014 Cultural Dimensions of Geert Hofstede: Analysis of Colombia 10.06.2014 Soraya A. Suarez I. Register Number: 969800 Darmstädter Landstr. 64 60598 Frankfurt Tel: 0176- 708 59654 E-mail: sorayasuarez@gmail.com Cultural Dimensions of Geert Hofstede: Analysis of Colombia 2 Content 1. Introduction............................................2 2. Culture.................................................3 3. Colombia................................................5 4. Cultural Models and Cultural Dimensions.................9 4.1 Geert Hofstede's Cultural Dimensions.................9 4.1.1. Power Distance Index...........................10 4.1.2. Uncertainty Avoidance..........................12 4.1.3. Individualism vs. Collectivism.................13 4.1.4. Masculinity vs. Femininity.....................15 4.1.5. Long vs. Short-term Orientation................16 4.1.6. Indulgence vs. Restraint.......................17 5. Conclusion.............................................20 6. References.............................................21 Table of Figures Colombia Facts & Figures...................................6 Colombia Location, Flag and Coat of Arms...................8 Colombian Population According to Ethnocultural Identity..11 Colombian Culture through the 6-D Model...................13 Cultural Dimensions of Geert Hofstede: Analysis of Colombia 3 ...
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...Hofstede’s Cultural Dimensions US vs. India by Edward A. Molnar January 19, 2013 Abstract This article acknowledges the six dimensions of Hofstede’s theory of cultural dimensions, and defines five of them for a comparison between the United States and India. This article shows for the most part, the definitions of Hofstede’s cultural dimensions are correct, but the article did identify some ambiguities while making the comparisons. Finally, future areas of possible research were identified that would assist in the removal of the ambiguities. Hofstede’s Cultural Dimensions US vs. India Geert Hofstede’s theory of cultural dimensions was a result of an analysis of a world-wide survey of employee values by IBM in the 1960’s and 1970’s. This theory describes the effects of a society’s culture on the values of that culture’s members and how those values relate to behavior. This is accomplished by using a structure resulting from factor analysis (Hofstede, 2011). This theory has been used as an example for several fields, particularly in cross-cultural psychology (Hofstede, 2011). Geert Hofstede’s original cultural dimensions theory had four dimensions from which cultural values could be analyzed. These four dimensions were: (a) individualism versus collectivism (IDV); (b) uncertainty avoidance (UAI); (c) power distance (PDI); (d) masculinity versus femininity (MAS). While Hofstede was performing research in Hong Kong he added the fifth dimension, long-term...
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