cultural differences what makes cultures different? why causes cultural differences problems?
TRANSCRIPT
The Geert Hofstede model
“Culture is more often a source of conflict than of synergy. Cultural differences are a nuisance at best and often a disaster.”
• Power distance => PDI• Indivualism => IDV• Uncertainty Avoidance => UAI• Masculinity => MAS• Long Time Orientation => LTO
Power DistanceDefinition:“The extend to which the less powerful members of institutions and organizations within a country expect and accept that power is distributed
unequally.” Hofstede 1991: 28
Country Power Distance Index (PDI)
Mexico 81France 68USA 40Germany 35Denmark 18
Individualism vs. Collectivism
Country Individualism Index (IDV)
USA 91France 71Germany 40Turkey 37Mexico 30
Masculinity vs. Femininity
Masculinity = clearly distinct gender roles – men:
• assertive, tough• focused on material
success
– women: • modest, tender• concerned with quality of
life
Femininity = overlapping gender roles– both men and women:
• modest, tender• concerned with quality of
life
Masculinity vs. Femininity
Country Masculinity Index (MAS)
Japan 91Germany 66USA 62France 43Sweden 5
Uncertainty Avoidance
Country Uncertainty Avoidance Index
(UAI)
Greece 112Mexico 82Germany 65USA 46Sweden 29
Germany – USA• Individualism is
higher in the USA• Uncertainty
Avoidance is more important in Germany
Literature
Crosscultural Communication:• Geert Hofstede: Cultures and Organizations
– http://www.geert-hofstede.com/– http://www.cyborlink.com/besite/hofstede.htm
• Charles M. Hampden Turner, Fons Trompenaars: Building Cross-Cultural Competence
• Edward T. Hall: Beyond Culture• Philip R. Harris, Robert T. Moran, Sarah V. Moran:
Managing Cultural Differences, Sixth Edition: Global Leadership Strategies for the 21st Century
• Edgar H. Schein: The Corporate Culture Survival Guide
Author: Rolf Schwermer, [email protected] 2006