This document summarizes and compares Hofstede's cultural dimensions of India and Canada across five dimensions: power distance, individualism, masculinity, uncertainty avoidance, and long-term orientation. For each dimension, it provides the scores for both India and Canada on a 0-100 scale and describes some of the cultural implications and values associated with those scores, such as higher power distance and collectivism in India compared to lower power distance and individualism in Canada. Business suggestions are also provided based on the cultural dimension scores.

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Hofstede's Cultural Dimensions
Report on the Five Dimensions of Culture of
India Vs Canada
Overview
Armed with a large database of cultural statistics, Hofstede analyzed the
results and found clear patterns of similarity and difference amid the
responsesalong these five dimensions.Interestingly, his research was
done on employeesof IBM only, which allowed him to attribute the
patterns to national differences inculture, largely eliminating the problem
of differencesin company culture.

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1. Power/Distance (PD)
This dimension deals with the fact that all individuals in societies are not equal – it expresses the
attitude of the culture towards these inequalities amongst us. Power distance is defined as the extent
to which the less powerful members of institutions and organisations within a country expect and accept that
power is distributed unequally.
India:India scores high on this dimension, 77, indicating an appreciation for hierarchy and a top-down
structure in society and organizations. If one were to encapsulate the Indian attitude, one could use
the following words and phrases dependent on the boss or the power holder for direction, acceptance
of un-equal rights between the power-privileged and those who are lesser down in the pecking order,
immediate superiors accessible but one layer above less so, paternalistic leader, management
directs, gives reason / meaning to ones work life and rewards in exchange for loyalty from employees.
Real Power is centralized even though it may not appear to be and managers count on the obedience
of their team members. Employees expect to be directed clearly as to their functions and what is
expected of them. Control is familiar, even a psychological security, and attitude towards managers
are formal even if one is on first name basis. Communication is top down and directive in its style and
often feedback which is negative is never offered up the ladder
Canada: With a score of 39 on this dimension, Canadian culture is marked by interdependence
among its inhabitants and there is value placed on egalitarianism. This is also reflected by the lack of
overt status and/or class distinctions in society. Typical of other cultures with a low score on this
dimension, hierarchy in Canadian organisations is established for convenience, superiors are always
accessible and managers rely on individual employees and teams for their expertise. It is customary
for managers and staff members to consult one another and to share information freely. With respect
to communication, Canadians value a straightforward exchange of information.
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India Canada

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2. Individualism (IDV)
The fundamental issue addressed by this dimension is the degree of interdependence a society maintains
among its members. It has to do with whether people´s self-image is defined in terms of “I” or “We”. In
Individualist societies people are supposed to look after themselves and their direct family only. In
Collectivist societies people belong to ‘in groups’ that take care of them in exchange for loyalty.
India: India, with a rather intermediate score of 48, is a society with both collectivistic and
individualistic traits. The collectivist side means that there is a high preference for belonging to a
larger social framework in which individuals are expected to act in accordance to the greater good of
one’s defined in-group(s). In such situations, the actions of the individual are influenced by various
concepts such as the opinion of one’s family, extended family, neighbours, work group and other such
wider social networks that one has some affiliation toward. For a collectivist, to be rejected by one’s
peers or to be thought lowly of by one’s extended and immediate in-groups, leaves him or her
rudderless and with a sense of intense emptiness. The individualistic aspect of Indian society is seen
as a result of its dominant religion/philosophy - Hinduism. The Hindus believe in a cycle of death and
rebirth, with the manner of each rebirth being dependent upon how the individual lived the preceding
life.
Canada: Canada scores 80 on this dimension (its highest dimension score) and can be
characterized as an individualistic culture. Similar to its American neighbor to the south, this
translates into a loosely-knit society in which the expectation is that people look after themselves and
their immediate families. Similarly, in the business world, employees are expected to be self-reliant
and display initiative. Also, within the exchange-based world of work, hiring and promotion decisions
are based merit or evidence of what one has done or can do.
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70
80
India
Canada

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3. Masculinity (MAS)
A high score (masculine) on this dimension indicates that the society will be driven by competition,
achievement and success, with success being defined by the winner / best in field – a value system
that starts in school and continues throughout organisational behaviour.
India: A low score (feminine) on the dimension means that the dominant values in society are caring for others
and quality of life. A feminine society is one where quality of life is the sign of success and standing out from
the crowd is not admirable. The fundamental issue here is what motivates people, wanting to be the best
(masculine) or liking what you do (feminine).
India scores 56 on this dimension and is thus considered a masculine society. India is actually very masculine in
terms of visual display of success and power. The designer brand label, the flash and ostentation that goes with
advertising one’s success, is widely practiced. However, India is also a spiritual country with millions of deities
and various religious philosophies.
Canada: A low score (feminine) on the dimension means that the dominant values in society are
caring for others and quality of life. A feminine society is one where quality of life is the sign of
success and standing out from the crowd is not admirable. The fundamental issue here is what motivates
people,wanting to be the best (masculine) or liking what you do (feminine).
Canada scores 52 on this dimension and can be characterized as a moderately “masculine” society.
While Canadians strive to attain high standards of performance in both work and play (sports), the
overall cultural tone is more subdued with respect to achievement, success and winning, when
compared to the US. Similarly, Canadians also tend to have a work-life balance and are likely to take
time to enjoy personal pursuits, family gatherings and life in general. This is not to say that
Canadians are not hard workers. As a general rule, Canadians strive to attain high standards of
performance in all endeavours.
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
India Canada
Masculanity
Masculanity

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4. Uncertainty/Avoidance Index (UAI)
The dimension Uncertainty Avoidance has to do with the way that a society deals with the fact that the
future can never be known: should we try to control the future or just let it happen? This ambiguity
brings with it anxiety and different cultures have learnt to deal with this anxiety in different ways. The
extent to which the members of a culture feel threatened by ambiguous or unknown situations and have
created beliefs and institutions that try to avoid these is reflected in the UAI score.
India: India scores 40 on this dimension and thus has a medium low preference for avoiding
uncertainty. In India, there is acceptance of imperfection; nothing has to be perfect nor has to go
exactly as planned. India is traditionally a patient country where tolerance for the unexpected is high ;
even welcomed as a break from monotony. People generally do not feel driven and compelled to take
action-initiatives and comfortably settle into established rolls and routines without questioning. Rules
are often in place just to be circumvented and one relies on innovative methods to “bypass the
system”.
Canada: The Canadian score on this dimension is 48 and Canadian culture is more “uncertainty
accepting.” This is indicative of the easy acceptance of new ideas, innovative products and a
willingness to try something new or different, whether it pertains to technology, business practic es, or
consumer products. Canadians are also tolerant of ideas or opinions from anyone and allow the
freedom of expression. At the same time, Canadian culture is not rules-oriented and Canadians tend
to be less emotionally expressive than cultures scoring higher on this dimension.
36 38 40 42 44 46 48 50
India
Category 2
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UAI

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5. Long Term Orientation (LTO)
This dimension describes how every society has to maintain some links with its own past while dealing with
the challenges of the present and future, and societies prioritise these two existential goals
differently. Normative societies who score low on this dimension, for example, prefer to maintain time-
honoured traditions and norms while viewing societal change with suspicion. Those with a culture
which scores high, on the other hand, take a more pragmatic approach: they encourage thrift and
efforts in modern education as a way to prepare for the future.
India: India has a score of 51 on this dimension, which indicates a preference for a more long-term,
pragmatic culture. In India the concept of “karma” dominates religious and philosophical thought. Time
is not linear, and thus is not as important as to western societies which typically score low on this
dimension. Countries like India have a great tolerance for religious views from all over the world.
Hinduism is often considered a philosophy more than even a religion; an amalgamation of ideas,
views, practices and esoteric beliefs. In India there is an acceptance that there are many truths and
often depends on the seeker. Societies that have a high score on pragmatism typically forgive a lack
of punctuality, a changing game-plan based on changing reality and a general comfort with
discovering the fated path as one goes along rather than playing to an exact plan.
Canada: Canada scores 36 in this dimension, marking it as a normative society. People in such
societies have a strong concern with establishing the absolute Truth; they are normative in their
thinking. They exhibit great respect for traditions, a relatively small propensity to save for the future,
and a focus on achieving quick results.
Business Suggestions:
India: Highly Segmented Market, Agro Based Business, Family Business, Manufacturing
Business, Traditionally Focussed, Situational processes, Less Women Employment.
Canada: Moderately Segmented Market, Service Based Business, Technologically Focussed,
Systematic processes, Equal Employment for Women.
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India
Canada
LTO
LTO