Hofstedes six value dimensions of natural culture

National culture has been shown to impact on major business activities, from capital structure
to group performance (Leung et al, 2005). Cultural awareness can lead to greater success
of international business ventures and lack of it can just as well lead to their failure (Dowling
et al, 2008: 57). Geert Hofstede is a renowned author who developed a model to describe
various cultural dimensions, and has researched issues relating to cultural differences(for
example in the GLOBE Project).
The theory of Hofstedes cultural dimensions constitutes a framework revolving around crosscultural communication, which was devised by Geert Hofstede. The dimensions collectively
portray the impact of the culture ingrained in society on the values of the members of that
society. They also describe the relationship between these values and behavior, with the help of a
structure based on factor analysis. In other words, this theory studies significant aspects of
culture and provides them a rating on a comparison scale.
The original theory that Hofstede proposed talked of four dimensions, namely power distance,
uncertainty avoidance, individualism vs. collectivism and masculinity vs. femininity. After
conducting independent studies in Hong Kong, Hofstede included a fifth dimension, known as
long-term vs. short-term orientation, to describe value aspects that were not a part of his original
theory. Again in 2010, Hofstede devised another dimension, the sixth one, indulgence vs. selfrestraint, in an edition of Cultures and Organizations: Software of the Mind, co-authored by
Michael Minkov.

Figure 01: Hofstedes Cultural Dimensions

Power Distance
According to Hofstede, power distance is the extent to which the less powerful members of
organizations and institutions (like the family) accept and expect that power is distributed
unequally. This dimension does not measure the level of power distribution in a given culture,
but rather analyzes the way people feel about it. Low power-distance scores mean that a culture
expects and accepts that power relations are democratic and members are viewed as equals. High
power-distance scores mean that less powerful members of the society accept their place and
realize the existence of formal hierarchical positions.
Table 01: Differences between Small- and Large- Power Distance Societies
Small Power Distance
Use of power should be legitimate and is
subject to criteria of good and evil
Parents treat children as equals
Older people are neither respected nor feared
Student-centered education
Hierarchy means inequality of roles,
established for convenience
Subordinates expect to be consulted
Pluralist governments based on majority vote
and changed peacefully
Corruption rare; scandals end political careers
Income distribution in society rather even
Religions stressing equality of believers

Large Power Distance

Power is a basic fact of society antedating
good or
evil: its legitimacy is irrelevant
Parents teach children obedience
Older people are both respected and feared
Teacher-centered education
Hierarchy means existential inequality
Subordinates expect to be told what to do
Autocratic governments based on co-optation
and
changed by revolution
Corruption frequent; scandals are covered up
Income distribution in society very uneven
Religions with a hierarchy of priests

Individualism vs. Collectivism

The degree to which individuals are integrated into groups This dimension has no political
connotation and refers to the group rather than the individual. Cultures that are individualistic
place importance on attaining personal goals. In collectivist societies, the goals of the group and
its wellbeing are valued over those of the individual.
Table 02: Differences between Collectivist and Individualist Societies
Individualism
Everyone is supposed to take care of him- or
herself and his or her immediate family only
"I" consciousness
Right of privacy

Collectivism
People are born into extended families or clans
which protect them in exchange for loyalty.
"We" consciousness
Stress on belonging

Speaking one's mind is healthy

Others classified as individuals
Personal opinion expected: one person one
vote
Transgression of norms leads to guilt feelings
Languages in which the word "I" is
indispensable
Purpose of education is learning how to learn
Task prevails over relationship

Harmony should always be maintained

Others classified as in-group or out-group
Opinions and votes predetermined by in-group
Transgression of norms leads to shame feelings
Languages in which the word "I" is avoided
Purpose of education is learning how to do
Relationship prevails over task

Uncertainty avoidance
A societys tolerance for uncertainty and ambiguity This is a dimension that measures the way
a society deals with unknown situations, unexpected events, and the stress of change. Cultures
that score high on this index are less tolerant of change and tend to minimize the anxiety of the
unknown by implementing rigid rules, regulations, and/or laws. Societies that score low on this
index are more open to change and have fewer rules and laws and more loose guidelines.
Table 03: Differences between Weak- and Strong- Uncertainty Avoidance Societies
Weak Uncertainty Avoidance
The uncertainty inherent in life is accepted and
each day is taken as it comes
Ease, lower stress, self-control, low anxiety

Strong Uncertainty Avoidance

The uncertainty inherent in life is felt as a
continuous threat that must be fought
Higher stress, emotionality, anxiety,
neuroticism
Higher scores on subjective health and Lower scores on subjective health and wellwellbeing
being
Tolerance of deviant persons and ideas: what is Intolerance of deviant persons and ideas: what
different is curious
is
different is dangerous
Comfortable with ambiguity and chaos
Need for clarity and structure
Teachers may say I dont know
Teachers supposed to have all the answers
Changing jobs no problem
Staying in jobs even if disliked
Dislike of rules - written or unwritten
Emotional need for rules even if not obeyed
In politics, citizens feel and are seen as
In politics, citizens feel and are seen as
competent towards authorities
incompetent towards authorities
In religion, philosophy and science: relativism In religion, philosophy and science: belief in
and empiricism
ultimate truths and grand theories

Masculinity vs. Femininity

The distribution of emotional roles between the genders. This dimension measures the level of
importance a culture places on stereotypically masculine values such as assertiveness, ambition,
power, and materialism as well as stereotypically feminine values such as an emphasis on human
relationships. Cultures that are high on the masculinity scale generally have more prominent
differences between genders and tend to be more competitive and ambitious. Those that score
low on this dimension have fewer differences between genders and place a higher value on
relationship building.
Table 04: Differences between Feminine and Masculine Societies
Femininity
Masculinity
Minimum emotional and social role Maximum emotional and social role
differentiation between the genders
differentiation between the genders
Men and women should be modest and caring
Men should be and women may be assertive
and ambitious
Balance between family and work
Work prevails over family
Sympathy for the weak
Admiration for the strong
Both fathers and mothers deal with facts and
Fathers deal with facts, mothers with feelings
feelings
Both boys and girls may cry but neither should Girls cry, boys dont; boys should fight back,
fight
girls
shouldnt fight
Mothers decide on number of children
Fathers decide on family size
Many women in elected political positions
Few women in elected political positions
Religion focuses on fellow human beings
Religion focuses on God or gods
Matter-of-fact attitudes about sexuality; sex is Moralistic attitudes about sexuality; sex is a
a way of relating
way of performing

Long-term Orientation vs. Short-term Orientation

This dimension describes a societys time horizon. Short-term oriented cultures value traditional
methods, take a considerable amount of time to build relationships, and in general view time as
circular. This means the past and the present are interconnected and that which cannot be done
today can be done tomorrow. The opposite of this is long-term orientation, which sees time as
linear and looks to the future rather than the present or the past. It is goal-oriented and values
rewards.
Table 05: Differences between Short- and Long-Term-Oriented Societies
Short-Term Orientation
Long-Term Orientation
Most important events in life occurred in the Most important events in life will occur in the
past or take place now
future

Personal steadiness and stability: a good A good person adapts to the circumstances
person is always the same
There are universal guidelines about what is What is good and evil depends upon the
good and evil
circumstances
Traditions are sacrosanct
Family life guided by imperatives
Slow or no economic growth of poor countries
Supposed to be proud of ones country
Service to others is an important goal
Social spending and consumption
Students attribute success and failure to luck

Traditions are adaptable to changed

circumstances
Family life guided by shared tasks
Fast economic growth of countries up till a
level of prosperity
Trying to learn from other countries
Thrift and perseverance are important goals
Large savings quote, funds available for
investment
Students attribute success to effort and failure
to lack of effort

Indulgence vs. Restraint

This dimension measures a cultures ability to satisfy the immediate needs and personal desires
of its members. Those that value restraint have strict social rules and norms under which
satisfaction of drives is regulated and discouraged.
Table 06: Differences between Indulgent and Restrained Societies
Indulgence
Higher percentage of people declaring
themselves very happy
A perception of personal life control

Restrained
Fewer very happy people

Freedom of speech seen as important

Higher importance of leisure
More likely to remember positive emotions
In countries with educated populations, higher
birthrates
More people actively involved in sports
In countries with enough food, higher
percentages of obese people
In wealthy countries, lenient sexual norms

A perception of helplessness: what happens to

meis not my own doing
Freedom of speech is not a primary concern
Lower importance of leisure
Less likely to remember positive emotions
In countries with educated populations, lower
birthrates
Fewer people actively involved in sports
In countries with enough food, fewer obese
people
In wealthy countries, stricter sexual norms

Maintaining order in the nation is not given a

high priority

Higher number of police officers per 100,000

population

Hofstedes six value dimensions of natural culture in Bangladesh

The culture of Bangladesh has a unique history, dating back more than 2500 years ago. The land,
the rivers and the lives of the common people formed a rich heritage with both commonalities
with, and differences from, neighboring regions. It has evolved over the centuries, encompassing
the cultural diversity of several social groups within Bangladesh. The culture of Bangladesh is
composite, and over centuries has assimilated influences of Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism, and
Islam. The rich Bangladeshi culture combines traditions from Dravidian, Indo-Aryan,
Mongol/Mughul, Arab, Persian, Turkic, and Western European cultures (Bangladesh.com).
Residents of Bangladesh, about 98% of who are ethnic Bengali and speak Bangla, are called
Bangladeshis. Most Bangladeshis (about 86%) are Muslims, but Hindus constitute a sizable
(13%) minority.

Figure 02: Hofstedes Cultural Dimensions in Bangladesh

Power Distance in Bangladesh

Bangladesh scores high on this dimension (score of 80) which means that people accept a
hierarchical order in which everybody has a place and which needs no further justification.
Hierarchy in an organization is seen as reflecting inherent inequalities, centralization is popular,
subordinates expect to be told what to do and the ideal boss is a benevolent autocrat. If we

compare BD with other neighboring and Muslim countries, we can see power distance is
comparatively higher to the other countries which reflect that everybody in the society has their
own position and respect. Specially the gap between poor and rich, sometimes it could be social
cluster.
If we compare BD with other neighboring and Muslim countries, we can see power distance is
comparatively higher to the other countries which reflect that everybody in the society has their
own position and respect. Specially the gap between poor and rich, sometimes it could be social
cluster.

Individualism vs. Collectivism in Bangladesh

Bangladesh, with a score in individualism 20 is considered a collectivistic society. This is
manifest in a close long-term commitment to the member 'group', be that a family, extended
family, or extended relationships. Loyalty in a collectivist culture is paramount, and over-rides
most other societal rules and regulations. The society fosters strong relationships where everyone
takes responsibility for fellow members of their group. In collectivist societies offence leads to
shame and loss of face, employer/employee relationships are perceived in moral terms (like a
family link), hiring and promotion decisions take account of the employees in-group,
management is the management of groups.
Comparison shows that Bangladeshi people love to work in group in all situations, where
Neighbor & Muslim Countries like India, Turkey, Iran and Iraq etc. tend to be more
individualistic than Bangladesh.

Masculinity vs. Femininity in Bangladesh

Bangladesh scores 55 on this dimension and can be considered a a Masculine society. In
Masculine countries people live in order to work, managers are expected to be decisive and
assertive, the emphasis is on equity, competition and performance and conflicts are resolved by
fighting them out.
Comparison shows that, Bangladesh is in average position among comparing countries which
reflects BD has a masculine society throughout top to bottom.

Uncertainty Avoidance in Bangladesh

Bangladesh scores 60 on this dimension and thus has an high score. Countries exhibiting high
Uncertainty Avoidance maintain rigid codes of belief and behavior and are intolerant of
unorthodox behavior and ideas. In these cultures there is an emotional need for rules (even if the
rules never seem to work) 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.

Comparison shows that Bangladesh has the lowest score among all relating Muslim countries,
although 60 is very high score which reflects that people from high uncertainty avoidance
cultures have little tolerance for the unknown, focus on ways to reduce uncertainty and
ambiguity, and create structures to help ensure some measure of predictability.

Long-term Orientation vs. Short-term Orientation in Bangladesh

Bangladesh has an intermediate score at 47, this does not indicate a strong preference in either
direction
Comparison shows that Bangladesh is not willing to focus future oriented outlook, the people are
not ready to save for their future, and they only believe in short-term view which making
Bangladeshi culture backward from the modern era.

Indulgence vs. Restraint in Bangladesh

Bangladesh has a very low Indulgence score of 20. This makes it a Restrained country. Societies
with a low score in this dimension have a tendency to cynicism and pessimism. Also, in contrast
to Indulgent societies, Restrained societies do not put much emphasis on leisure time and control
the gratification of their desires. People with this orientation have the perception that their
actions are Restrained by social norms and feel that indulging themselves is somewhat wrong.

References
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[3] Hofstede, G. (1991). Cultures and Organizations: Software of the Mind. London, UK:
McGraw-Hill.
[4] Hofstede, G. & Bond, M. H. (1988). The Confucius connection: from cultural roots to
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