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Geert Hofstede is an influential Dutch writer on the interactions between national cultures and organizational cultures, and is an author of several books including Culture's Consequences (2nd, fully revised edition, 2001) and Cultures and Organizations, Software of the Mind (2nd, revised edition 2005). Image File history File links Geert_Hofstede. ...
Image File history File links Geert_Hofstede. ...
One of the most influential doctrines in history is that all humans are divided into groups called nations. ...
Culture (from the Latin cultura stemming from colere, meaning to cultivate), generally refers to patterns of human activity and the symbolic structures that give such activity significance. ...
Organizational culture, or corporate culture, comprises the attitudes, experiences, beliefs and values of an organization. ...
Hofstede demonstrated that there are national and regional cultural groupings that affect the behaviour of organizations, and that are very persistent across time.
Hofestede's Framework for Assessing Culture
He has invented five dimensions of culture in his study of national influences: Culture (from the Latin cultura stemming from colere, meaning to cultivate), generally refers to patterns of human activity and the symbolic structures that give such activity significance. ...
- Low vs. High Power Distance - the extent to which the less powerful members of institutions and organisations expect and accept that power is distributed unequally. Low power distance (e.g. Austria, Denmark) expect and accept power relations that are more consultative or democratic. People relate to one and other more as equals regardless of formal positions. Subordinates are more comfortable with and demand the right to contribute to and critique the decision making of those in power. High power distance (e.g. China) less powerful accept power relations that are more autocratic and paternalistic. Subordinates acknowledge the power of others simply based on where they are situated in certain formal, hierarchical positions.
- Individualism vs. collectivism - individualism is contrasted with collectivism, and refers to the extent to which people are expected to stand up for themselves, or alternatively act predominantly as a member of a group or organisation. Latin American cultures rank the lowest in this category, while the U.S.A. is one of the most individualistic cultures.
- Masculinity vs. femininity - refers to the value placed on traditionally male or female values. Masculine cultures value competitiveness, assertiveness, ambition, and the accumulation of wealth and material possessions, whereas feminine cultures place more value on relationships and quality of life. Japan is considered by Hofstede to be the most "masculine" culture, Sweden the most "feminine." The U.S. is moderately masculine, while in the UK, females are masculine and males are feminine.---- [Should be deleted as it was not one of the dimensions he mentioned]
- Quality of Life vs. Quantity of Life - Quality of Life is the degree to which value such as assertiveness, the acquisition of money and material goods, and competition prevail. Quantity of life is the degree to which people value relationships, and show sensitivity and concern for the welfare of others. [ Organization Behavior by Stephen P. Robbins, 10th Edition]
- Uncertainty avoidance - reflects the extent to which a society attempts to cope with anxiety by minimizing uncertainty. Cultures that scored high in uncertainty avoidance prefer rules (e.g. about religion and food) and structured circumstances, and employees tend to remain longer with their present employer. Mediterranean cultures and Japan rank the highest in this category. (see below)
- Long vs. short term orientation - describes a society's "time horizon," or the importance attached to the future versus the past and present. In long term oriented societies, thrift and perseverance are valued more; in short term oriented societies, respect for tradition and reciprocation of gifts and favors are valued more. Eastern nations tend to score especially high here, with Western nations scoring low and the less developed nations very low; China scored highest and Pakistan lowest.
Individualism is a term used to describe a moral, political, or social outlook that stresses human independence and the importance of individual self-reliance and liberty. ...
This article needs additional references or sources for verification. ...
For other uses, see United States (disambiguation) and US (disambiguation). ...
The Mediterranean Sea is an intercontinental sea positioned between Europe to the north, Africa to the south and Asia to the east, covering an approximate area of 2. ...
In mathematics, the reciprocal, or multiplicative inverse, of a number x is the number which, when multiplied by x, yields 1. ...
See also Cross-cultural communication (also frequently referred to as intercultural communication) is a field of study that looks at how people from differing cultural backgrounds endeavour to communicate. ...
This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ...
External links - His website: http://www.geerthofstede.nl
- A training institute based on his work and actively supported by him http://www.itim.org
- His C.V.: http://www.itim.org/cv_geert.html
- Information on cultural dimensions: http://stephan.dahl.at/intercultural/Hofstede_dimensions.html
- Hofstede's dimensions simplified by Kwintessential
- Hofstede's cultural dimensions World maps of Geert Hofstede's 5 cultural dimensions
- http://www.it.murdoch.edu.au/~sudweeks/b329/readings/mcsweeney.doc (essay criticizing the supposed finding of cultural dimensions)
- Intercultural Business Communication Simple application of Hofstede's dimensions into a practical business tool
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