...Empowerment and Community Planning Chapter 1 Theories of Power A Survey Towards the Development of a Theory of Power Before beginning the discussion of empowerment and the development of a theory connected with it, I want to deal with a concept that is prior to empowerment—power. Power is a key concept for an understanding of processes of empowerment. The theory of empowerment that will be developed further on will draw its inspiration from an integration of two domains: from an understanding of theories of power and the use of insights drawn from these for the purposes of developing a theory of empowerment, and from an analysis of processes of empowerment. Hence, this deeper study of it will also make possible a better understanding of states of powerlessness, practices of disempowerment, and processes by which people and communities struggle for control over their lives and environments. A Brief History of Theories of Power This chapter makes no pretension to survey all the existing literature in the field of the theories of power. It begins with a historical survey of thought about power in the social sciences, relating only to the most prominent theories. Further on, a number of theories that contain elements suitable to the development of a theory of empowerment are presented in more detail. Modern thinking about power begins in the writings of Nicollò Machiavelli (The Prince, early 16th century) and Thomas Hobbes (Leviathan, mid-17th century). Their books are...
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...Examining HR Issues Based on Hofstede’s Cultural Dimensions In United States and India In today’s global market, external environment is a large influence on HRM activities. One of the factors that contribute significantly to this external environment is culture. Hofstede’s five dimensions can be used as the indices to compare and contrast the HR issues faced in United States and India. 1. Individualism versus collectivism : The typical traits of individualism include individualists viewing themselves as independent of the group that they are a part of. Goals and objectives to individualists involve prioritizing their own objective over group objective. Outlook and behavior includes placing one’s own personal attitude over social outlook. Individualists look after themselves and their direct families only. Collectivists on the other hand, identify themselves as a part of a group and are dependent on the group. Goals and objectives are group oriented. Outlook and behavior are driven by social norms. (Kulkarni, Hudson, Ramamoorthy, Marchev, Georgieva-Kondakova, Gorskov, 2010) When we identify this dimension to United States and India, United States is considered highly individualistic in culture. They are independent; individual rights take priority over obligations to others. They stay true to their own values and beliefs and pursue individual goals and interests. Indian culture on the other hand, is interdependent, collectivistic, where people are emotionally, economically...
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...femininity represents social implications from a gender perspective. A masculine society is dominated by tough values, such as money, success, assertiveness and competition. Men and women often have significantly different roles. Countries with a masculine culture often prefer recognition, earnings, challenge and advancement. On the other hand, a feminine culture emphasizes on tender values, such as relationships, care for others, quality of life and service. The roles of men and women are less distinct and often equal. Countries with a feminine culture often prefer cooperation, a friendly environment, security of employment and group decision...
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...people's values and behaviours is the essential part of the multinational corporations' success within the global competition. With a good use of national culture, the company can have a better and deeper understanding of the local circumstances which is a critical ability for a managers who want to enter into the international markets (Esterby-Smith,1997). This report will compare three core cultural dimensions between Chinese and Australia national cultures. It will focus on how the national culture influence the corporations in the two country and the difference between the two cultures. one two three four seven six five chart talk The second part of this report will introduce the concept of culture which include the typically aspect of culture, values and behaviours. It will also discuss the theoretical frameworks of national cultures which can be used to analysed the difference between China and Australia. The main body of this report is the three dimensions of culture: approaches to power distribution, approaches to social relationships and approaches to uncertainty and social control. A conclusion will also be made to summary the reasons for the culture difference in those two countries. Concept of culture National culture is the set of norms, behaviours, beliefs and customs that exist within the population of...
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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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...and customers assembled those a lot of items in their houses. IKEA was founded in 1943 in Sweden by Ingyar Kamprad (refernceforbusiness, 2015). In 1958, the first store of IKEA was founded in Sweden. After that IKEA extended to Scandinavian countries. Firstly, IKEA stores in Norway and Demark were opened which are the neighborhood countries and then IKEA started open their stores in Switzerland in 1973 and Germany in 1974 (Loeb, 2012). The first store in the United States was opened in Philadelphia (1985). The first store that IKEA faced problems is in Japan because of their culture differences, lifestyles and practices (Chaletanone and Cheancharadpong, 2008). Since IKEA entered into the country that has culture difference in social organizations, there will be numerous influences on organizational efficiency. Nowadays, many international organizations from around the world are consisted of varied groups of people from different cultures, gender, ethic and values. Many other international institutes have been established that they got more profit when they applied cross-culture workforce. There are a lot of difficulties for the organization when they apply cross-culture, language is one...
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...traditions, rituals, and religions; and promote different views regarding family, work, social, and personal responsibilities. Hofstede's framework was originally comprised of four dimensions. The first dimension - individualism/collectivism - is widely acknowledged as a defining element of culture. In individualistic societies people are expected to look out after themselves, whereas in collectivist societies there is a greater emphasis on group welfare and loyalty. Individualists value independence and self-expression, and tend to believe that personal goals and interests are more important than group interests. In contrast, collectivists tend to view themselves as members of an extended family or organization, place group interests ahead of individual needs, and value reciprocation of favors and respect for tradition. The second dimension - uncertainty avoidance - represents the extent to which people feel uncomfortable or threatened by ambiguous and uncertain situations, and thus create belief systems and institutions in order to promote conformity. Societies with higher levels of uncertainty avoidance place greater value on security (e.g., financial, social), feel a greater need for consensus and written rules, and are intolerant of deviations from the norm. In contrast, individuals with low uncertainty avoidance rely less on written rules and are more risk tolerant. A third dimension - masculinity/femininity - refers to the extent to which a society embraces predominately...
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...are utilized and expressed in the examination: * Hofstede’s Dimensions of Culture * CAGE Framework in context of distance * Strategy recommendations Hofstede’s Dimensions of Culture These dimensions of culture include power distance, individualism, masculinity, uncertainty avoidance, and long-term orientation. Each dimension offers insight into how the country operates in business. Below is the comparison of each dimension between the United States and Israel: * Power Distance- United States: 40, Israel: 13 * Individualism- United States: 91, Israel: 54 * Masculinity- United States: 62, Israel: 47 * Uncertainty Avoidance- United States: 46, Israel: 81 * Long-Term Orientation- United States: 29, Israel: NA (Clearly Cultural, 2013) Power distance refers to the acceptance of inequality of power or status within an organization or institution. The followers, not the leaders, define this dimension. As seen above, there is more power equality, or less distance between have’s and have not’s, in Israel than in the United States. The power equality in Israel is related to the measurements in the individualism dimension. Israel has a lower individualism score than the United States. This means that Israel is more collective in business and culture. Continuing, individualism score reflects in the next dimension of masculinity. Masculinity refers to a culture that has dominant social values in success, money, and possession of high valued things...
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... | | | |Dimensions of Culture | |MGT 4330-201 | |Spring 2013 | |Yundong Huang | |Texas A&M International University | |Gwennie Bee Potzka | |Due 3/15/2013 | Dimensions of Culture The five dimensions of culture are individualism, masculinity, power distance, uncertainty avoidance, and long-term orientation. Individualism versus collectivism refers to how people see themselves and their relationships. Individualists say that individual interests dominate over group...
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...sovereign. The social contract bounds this political community which consisted of its citizens to the state; if there is no government and there was no law to regulate them, every individual would do whatever they deem fit, this results in hardships and oppression on the sectors of the society. To resolve these issues, the individuals entered into two agreements which are “Pactum Unionis” and “Pactum Subjectionis” (Elahi, n.d.). “Pactum Unionis” refers to the undertaking to respect each other and live in peace and harmony and “Pactum Subjectionis” means that people pledged to surrendered the whole or part of their freedom and rights to an authority. The authority in turn provides protection of lives, property and to a certain extent liberty for everyone under the social contract, through the usage of common laws. In order for the state to remain in power to enforce the social contract, it has to always maintain its control. According to Rappa (2012), there...
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...defined as believing in a higher power. This gives us an identity and relationships. Religion has two categories and seven dimensions. One category is Dualism. Dualism posits a cosmos or universe in which the Creator, God, is separate and distinct from the creation. The in-world experience is a threat or stumbling block to real experience - be it in Heaven or some other transcendent realm - will thrust believers into a pattern of using force to remake that world (http://faculty.deanza.edu/burkesusan/stories/storyReader$39). The other category is Monism Sacred power was diffused throughout the natural world (http://faculty.deanza.edu/burkesusan/stories/storyReader$39). This first dimension is The Practical and Ritual Dimension. Both Dualism and Monism have practices, prayers, and rituals. Christianity practices prayers, churches, and hymns. This happens every Sundays, Sunday evenings, and with personal experiences even on Wednesdays. As the Hindu and Buddhist Religion focus on meditation to focus on love and so on (Philosophy of Religion, Gary E. Kessel). The Second Dimension to religion is Experiential and Emotional Dimensions. This means religions with its rituals give us a sense of peace and satisfaction. No matter what type of religion we are. If it wasn’t for the sense of peace or satisfaction we probably wouldn’t believe in our religions. One of the main reason music is so potent in religions is the mysterious powers to express and engender emotions (Philosophy...
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...to cultivate for our success. There are many strategies used to build social and personal dimensions in our classrooms. Social dimensions in are classroom are fostered by developing class norms and building relationships, which is basically making your classroom a safe haven for your students to express themselves. Developing class norms are not something that should just be used in the first weeks of class, but carried out throughout the year. To implement these into yur classtroom you have to create that atmosphere and that would first start by making sure that all of your students are comfortable with each other. This will be created by your students sharing there interest with one another. In Schoenbach, Greenleaf & Murphy (2012) it says, “ taking a few minutes for students to share information sets the tone that in this class we expect to get to know each other and work together” (59). Another great way to creat social dimension is by letting students share their opinions on what they think the class norms/rules should be. I feel that this would be very crucial to your classroom because they would be more willing to follow the rules. While trying to create that social dimension in the classroom, you also have to help the students create a personal dimension. Creating a personal dimension is like given one’s self power. Schoenbach, Greenleaf & Murphy (2012) speak on it when they say, “ The power and agency acquired with even the most modest improvements can motivate...
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...Social Stratification in modern South Africa by Jabu Banda 512424 Introduction Max Weber viewed social stratification from three dimensions (Wright, EO): economic class, social status and power (party). According to Weber each of these dimensions had its own stratification: the economic, represented by income and access to goods and services, the social, represented by prestige and honour and the political, represented by power .Unlike Marx Weber paved the way for us to incorporate race and ethnicity dimensions in relation to social stratification. South Africa has always been and still is very much a society divided along racial lines. There has however been a gradual but undeniable shift from a society divided along race under apartheid towards division along economic class post 1994. We can attribute this shift largely to the significant political landscape change but we still need a deeper understanding of the forces driving this shift. This paper will therefore attempt to analyze modern day South African society in relation to Weber’s model of social stratification with the view establish its validity and relevance in a local context. We are presented by opportunity to perhaps explore impact this shift has had economically. In other words what the impact has been on access to products and services, media, health, education and so forth. The dimension of power and politics was very central to Weber’s theory, it is therefore natural that we examine the impact the shift...
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...Hofstede's Dimensions of Culture Geert H. Hofstede was born on October 2, 1928 in Haarlem, the Netherlands. He received his M.Sc. from the Delft Institute of Technology in 1953, his Ph.D. (cum laude) from Groningen University in 1967. Hofstede served in the Netherlands Army from 1953 to 1955. In 1955, he married Maaike A. Van den Hoek. They've also "lived happily ever after", but I'm not sure where (probably Brussels, Belgium). Hofstede is most well known for his work on four dimensions of cultural variability, commonly referred to as "Hofstede's Dimensions." These include: Uncertainty Avoidance, Power Distance, Masculinity-Femininity, Individualism-Collectivism, Confucian Dynamism. These dimensions were arrived in his 1980 publication, "Culture's consequences: International differences in work-related values." The study took existing survey data (sample size of 116,000) collected from a multinational corporation (IBM). The result was a score in each of the dimensions for 40 different countries. During 1978-83, the Dutch cultural anthropologist Geert Hofstede conducted detailed interviews with hundreds of IBM employees in 53 countries. Through standard statistical analysis of fairly large data sets, he was able to determine patterns of similarities and differences among the replies. From this data analysis, he formulated his theory that world cultures vary along consistent, fundamental dimensions. Since his subjects were constrained to one multinational corporation's world-wide...
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...Hofstede’s Six Dimensions and Leadership Erin Bonich ORG300 – Applying Leadership Principals Colorado State University – Global Campus Dr. Laurie Barnes November 1, 2015 Hofstede’s Six Dimensions and Leadership The purpose of this paper is to discuss the characteristics of the Six Dimensions of Culture as they have been defined by Professor Geert Hofstede and the combination of dimensions that shape a great leader. The following discussion relates Hofstede’s Six Dimensions to common leadership styles by evaluating the impact of cultural values on organizational standards and practices. Hofstede’s Six Cultural Dimensions In Relation To Leadership Hofstede’s six cultural dimensions consider the differences in values that govern the actions of a culture. Hofstede defines culture as “the collective programming of the mind distinguishing the members of one group or category of people from others”. As businesses and organizations continue to globalize, the need for cultural tolerance and cooperation is increasingly relevant. The six dimensions provide a scale for determining the weight a particular value holds in a society which allows for leaders to compare cultures and better align their organizations practices to coincide with that of another organization. Power Distance Index (PDI) Power distance encompasses the measure of society’s acceptance for collective hierarchy and power arrangements. PDI evaluates the amount of difference...
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