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International Communication

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Submitted By deniseanne
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Cultural Communication
Maureen Schneider
International Business Communications
Professor Rodger
January 18, 2016

Geert Hofstede’s 6 Dimensions is a tool that is helpful in comparing different cultures. This tool can help businesses that are planning to do business outside of their own country by helping to show the similarities and differences in the cultures of the countries. To properly use this comparison one must first understand how Geert Hofstede’s 6 Dimensions can be interpreted and of course what each dimension stands for. The 6 Dimensions are: Power Distance, Individualism, Masculinity, Uncertainty Avoidance, Long Term Orientation and Indulgence. According to the Geert Hofstede website each dimension is describe as follows:
Power Distance – extent in which the culture accepts the fact that power, within the society, is not distributed equally. The higher the score in this dimension shows that the culture believes that an inequality in power distribution is acceptable.
Individualism - extent in which a society maintains interdependence among its members. Self-Image is defined as either I or we. In an individualistic society the members take care of themselves and their direct family members. The higher the score in this dimension indicates that the society is based on individualism and not collectivism. In a collectivist society the members take care of one another, the in group, usually in exchange for loyalty. Some cultures can be a combination of the two. A high score in this dimension shows that the country has a culture based on individualism.
Masculinity – this type of culture, masculine, is more success oriented and driven, unlike a feminist culture which is based on caring for others and quality of life. A high score here shows a culture to be masculine and, of course, a lower score shows the culture to be

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