This document discusses cultural dimensions related to doing business in the Netherlands based on Geert Hofstede's cultural dimensions theory. It finds that the Netherlands scores low in power distance, high in individualism, moderately feminine, and moderately high in uncertainty avoidance. It provides details on what these cultural dimensions mean for communication style, decision-making, and work-life balance in the Netherlands. The document also provides tips for conducting successful business in the Netherlands.

1. http://doingbusinesswithpeople.weebly.com/

2. The Netherlands correspond to
the faculty of common sense.
The nature of this faculty is to
test the truth of opinions and
the advisability of actions by
their agreement or
disagreement whit the
teachings of accumulative
experience.
Psychology of the Nations
A.L.Kip
http://doingbusinesswithpeople.weebly.com/

3. Lewis Model

4. The Netherlands scores low in Power
Distance
• Dutch are independent
• Hierarchy for convenience only, equal
rights
• Superiors accessible, coaching
leader, management facilitates and
empowers
• Power is decentralized Employees
expect to be consulted.
• Control is disliked and attitude
towards managers are informal and
on first name basis
• Communication is direct and
participative
Data: geert-hofstede.com
53
14
80
38
35
66
89
35
UAI
MAS
IDV
PDI

5. The Netherlands is an individualistic
society
• High preference for a loosely-knit
social framework in which individuals
are expected to take care their
immediate families only
• Offence causes guilt and a loss of
self-esteem
• The employer/employee relationship
is a contract based on mutual
advantage
• Hiring and promotion decisions are
supposed to be based on merit only,
• Management is the management of
individuals
. Data: geert-hofstede.com
53
14
80
38
35
66
89
35
UAI
MAS
IDV
PDI

6. The Netherlands is a feminine society
• It is important to keep the life/work
balance and you make sure that all
are included
• An effective manager is supportive to
his/her people, and decision making
is achieved through involvement
• Managers strive for consensus and
people value equality, solidarity and
quality in their working lives
• Conflicts are resolved by compromise
and negotiation and Dutch are known
for their long discussions until
consensus has been reached
.
Data: geert-hofstede.com
53
14
80
38
35
66
89
35
UAI
MAS
IDV
PDI

7. Netherlands scores moderate on the
Uncertainty Avoidance scale
• In these cultures there is an
emotional need for rules
• Time is money, people have an inner
urge to be busy and work hard
• Precision and punctuality are the
norm
• Innovation may be resisted, security
is an important element in individual
motivation
.
Data: geert-hofstede.com
53
14
80
38
35
66
89
35
UAI
MAS
IDV
PDI

8. • Punctuality for meetings is taken extremely seriously
• Meetings are rather formal in nature
• Meetings adhere to strict agendas, including starting and ending times
• Maintain direct eye contact while speaking
• Communication is direct and to the point, and may seem blunt
• Make sure your arguments are rational as opposed to emotional
• Business is conducted slowly:
 Dutch are detail-oriented
 Decision-making is consensus
driven
Text: Kwintessential
Photo: blog.crossculture.com

9. • The business set up in Netherlands is
egalitarian
• While timescales and deadlines need to
be set well in advance and reiterated
carefully, it should be understood that
these will be viewed as flexible
• Since this is an egalitarian country: both
managers and subordinates are
expected to work together harmoniously
• Managers will lose no respect in
consulting employees to gather
background information and often to
even share in the decision-making
process
Text: Kwintessential
Photo: ladyfleur.wordpress.com

10. • Congratulate them on their internationalism economical achievements
• Be humorous. Dutch humour is earthy rather than witty
• Show some frugality; the Dutch dislike extravagance
• In the Netherlands, personalities are separated from opinions: be frank
and open and be aware that they will do the same
• Attune yourself to their limited protocol
• Demonstrating professional competence is a must
• Avoid
• Wasting their time
• Strong opinions about religion
• Too much ebullience
• Pushy tactics: the Dutch are sceptical
When Cultures Collide: Leading Across
Cultures, by Richard D. Lewis

11. http://doingbusinesswithpeople.weebly.com/
“Culture is the collective
programming of the mind
distinguishing the members
of one group or category of
people from others”.
Professor Geert Hofstede