Geert hofstede's cultural dimension theory Bus 187 Going over the four

1. • A theory that looks at unique aspects of cultures and rates them on a scale
for comparison. Geert Hofstede a professor who researched how people
from different countries and cultures interact based on different
categories of cultural dimensions.

2. Geert Hofstede’s Culture Dimension
Theory
• 1. Power Distance
• 2. Individualism
• 3. Uncertainty
• 4. Masculinity

3. • The measures the extent to which the less powerful members of organizations and
institutions accept and expect that power is distributed unequally.
• High Power distance
• A subordinate acknowledges his/her superior based merely upon his/her hierarch of
authority.
• Low Power distance
• A subordinate who see his/her superior as leader to help and guide one and not to order
one around.
• Example
• When a low power distance superior is trying to take the same approach in a high power
distance but fails to succeed.

4. • The degree to which a society reinforces individual or collective achievement and
interpersonal relationships.
• High Individualism score
• Indicates that individuality and individual rights are dominant.
• Points to a society that is more collectivist in nature.
• Providing incentives and rewards for individual employee performance will work well in an
individualist society, but it would not work as well in a collectivist society where group
identity, operating with a group goal and a greater sense of connectedness are vital.

5. • A state wherein outcomes and conditions are unknown or unpredictable.
• Desire more stability, more structured rules and social norms, and are less comfortable
taking risks.
• Indicates that the people in the country are more comfortable with ambiguity, more
entrepreneurial, more likely to take risks, and less dependent on structure rules.
• The housing bubble and ensuing financial crisis shows how uncertainty avoidance can
impact an entire country.

6. • Focuses on the degree the society reinforces, or does not reinforce, the traditional masculine
work role model of male achievement, control, and power.
• Key Concept
• Ranking indicates the country experiences a high degree of gender differentiation. In these
cultures, males dominate a significant portion of the society and power structure, with females
being controlled by male domination.
• Ranking indicates the country has a low level of differentiation and discrimination between
genders. In these cultures, females are treated equally to males in all aspects of the society.
• Example
• Older generations believe that man are supposed to be assertive, tough, and focused on
material success; while women are supposed to be more modest, tender, and concerned
with the quality of life.