Geert Hofstede

4 Dimensions of culture:

Power Distance Individualism vs Collectivism Masculine vs Feminine cultures Uncertainty Avoidance

Power distance Index PDI

Geert Hofstede

Power distance

Power distance as level of dependence (low PDI co-dependence, high PDI dependence)_ How education depends on PD

Family as source of differences in Power distance

Relations between children and parents in countries with low and high PDI Power distance at school

Power distance in politics

Scandals in countries with low PDI and high PDI, consequences for actors of scandals. How are the new colleagues hired? (knowledge low PDI, family, friends high PDI)

Russia 95 Mexico 81 Brasil 69 France 69 Belgium 65 Greece 60 Poland 58 Japan 54 Czech Rep. 50 Italy 50 USA 40 The Netherlands 38 Germany 35 Finland 33 Norway 31 Sweden 31 Ireland 28 Denmark 22 Israel 13 Austria 11

Individualism vs. Collectivism

Geert Hofstede

Individualism

Perceiving reality in terms of I Independence of a human being from organizations

 Loose relationships among individuals Everyone should have their own opinion Great importance of personal life (planning visits) Culture driven by the notion of guilt

Education
the influence of a family on individual predisposing of a child so that it could quickly become self-reliant loose relationships among individuals preparation for living in a society that consists of other individuals certificates and diplomas give satisfaction with oneself low-context communication

 Limited role of the state in economy Economy based on individual interests High gross domestic product (GDP) per person

Collectivism
Loyalty to members of a group Poor assertiveness, it is better to avoid the painful truth, fear of confrontation High-context communication Culture driven by the notion of embarrassment

 Opinions of an individual depend on the group one belongs to One should avoid conflicts and strive to preserve harmony

Education

passivity of students during classes preparation for proper functioning in a group a diploma gives social advance and acceptance

USA 91 The Netherlands 80 Denmark 79 Italy 76 Belgium 75 Germany 71 France 71 Sweden 71 Ireland 70 Norway 69 Czech Rep. 68 Finland 63 Poland 58 Austria 55 Israel 54 Japan 46 Brasil 38 Greece 35 Mexico 30 Russia 30

Male cultures vs. Female cultures

Geert Hofstede

 Maleness is a feature of societies in which social roles relating to the sex are clearly determined, i.e. men are expected to be assertive, whereas women should be modest, tender and to care about the quality of life

* Femininity characterises these societies in which social roles of both sexes interpenetrate one another, i.e. both men and women are expected to be modest, tender and to care about the quality of life

 Different perception of male and female professions in both cultures

Education
struggle for success in male culture, huge importance of being a top student female culture is lack of struggle for best school reports differences in teaching staff from the primary school to the university

Professional career
M (Male) is driven by a perspective of a brilliant professional career F (Female) is self-fulfilment and developing the interests F works to live M lives to work work is the motto of life M manager quick decisions, assertiveness, aggression F manager intuition, good

Solving conflicts

M - Let the best win * F negotiations and compromise matter

Japan 95 Poland 70 Italy 70 Ireland 68 Germany 66 USA 62 Czech Rep. 62 Austria 61 Belgium 54 Brasil 49 Israel 47 Russia 43 France 43 Finland 26 Denmark 21 The Netherlands 14 Norway 8 Sweden 5

Uncertainty Avoidance

Geert Hofstede

Uncertainty Avoidance UA

* The level of a sense of threat felt by members of a given culture in the face of new and uncertain situations

 High UAI is characterised by high activeness, impulsiveness, impatience Low UAI calmness, composure, indifference

Uncertainty and risk

Anxiety is not fear it is striving to normalize a situation High UAI Different means dangerous Low UAI Different means interesting

High UAI no ambiguity!

High UAI organizational issues are more important than strategic issues High UAI a tendency to produce many legal articles and regulations High UAI high context of communication

Belgium 94 Japan 92 Russia 90 France 86 Israel 81 Czech Rep. 79 Brasil 76 Italy 75 Austria 70 Poland 71 Germany 70 USA 62 Finland 59 The Netherlands 53 Norway 50 Ireland 35 Sweden 29 Denmark 28