Individualism and Collectivism

Individualism
 Measures the extent to which people
view themselves as individuals or as
members of a group.
 Measures the importance people give
to their individual interests, relative
to the interests of the group to which
they belong.
In an individualistic society
 The interests of the individual are
more important than the interests of
the group
 Define themselves through individual
characteristics, rather than by group
characteristics.
 Adult members of society are expected
to be independent and are not
encouraged to rely on others.
In a collectivist society
 The interests of the group are
considered more important than the
interests of the individual.
 The group, and their position in the
group are an important part of their
identity.
 Group loyalty is strong
 Protection, advice and support is
received from the group
Individualists in the workplace
 Employees are expected to be
experts in their fields
 The roles are clearly defined,
boundaries are rarely crossed
 Work cannot begin until “Who is
responsible for what” has been
decided
Collectivists in the workplace
 Tasks are the responsibility of the
whole team
 Members support each other and
are committed to the group.
 The question that must be
answered is: “Who is on the team,
and who is not?”
Mixed teams in the workplace
 Individualists and collectivists
can often face many differences
when working together
 Example:
 Information sharing - Too high, or too

low?
 Involvement – Too much or too little?
Mixed teams
 Is it possible for individualistic and
collectivist teams to work together?

 How can their cultural differences

be resolved?
Types of Communication Styles
 Indirect Communication
 Found in high context, collectivist
cultures

 Direct Communication
 Found in low context, individualist
cultures
Indirect Communication
 People bring a lot of innate and
unconscious understanding to the
communication.
 More non-verbal communication
 Less reliance on literal meanings and
spoken words
 The overall goal of communication is
to maintain harmony and save face.
Direct Communication
 People rely on words and literal
meanings to be understood.
 People say what they mean, or risk
being misunderstood.
 Overall goal of communication is to
get or give information
Characteristics and Behaviours
1. Communication is like that between twins
2. People are reluctant to say no
3. You have to read between the lines
4. Use of intermediaries or third parties is frequent
5. Use of understatement is frequent
6. It’s best to tell it like it is
7. It’s okay to disagree with your boss at a
meeting.
8. “Yes” means yes.
9. “Yes” means ‘I heard what you said.’
10. Communication is like that between casual
acquaintances
Characteristics and Behaviours (2)
11. It’s not necessary to read between the lines
12. People engage in small talk and catching up before
getting down to business
13. Business first, then small talk
14. Lukewarm tea means that all is not well
15. Lukewarm tea means the tea got cold.
16. People need to be brought up to date at a meeting
17. People are already up to date
18. The rank/status of the message is as important as
the message
19. The message is what counts, not who delivers it
20. People tell you what they think you want to hear.
Concept of Time
 Monochronic
 The needs of the people must adjust to
the demands of time
 A limited amount is available

 People finish one thing at a time

 Polychronic
 Time is the servant of the people
 People are never too busy
Characteristics & Behaviours
1. Time is money
2. To be late is rude
3. Schedules are sacred
4. The focus is on the task, getting the job done
5. Being made to wait is normal
6. Interruptions are life
7. Plans are fixed, once agreed upon
8. This attitude is consistent with individualists
9. The focus is on the person, establishing a relationship
10. This attitude is consistent with collectivists
11. Deadlines are an approximation
12. To be late is just to be late
13. Focus on the internal clock
14. Plans are always changing
15. Having to wait is an insult
16. People are never too busy
17. Interruptions are bad.
Power Distance
 Is the society’s attitude toward
inequality. How do different cultures
deal with people’s different levels of
status and their access to power.
 High Power Distance
 Low Power Distance
High Power Distance
 People accept that some people have
more power than others
 People with power emphasize it
 Not delegate
 Distinguish themselves over others

 People in power take responsibility

 Look after those beneath them
 Subordinates are not expected to take

initiative
 Close supervision of subordinates
Power Distance
 Low Power Distance
 See power as unnatural, artificial, but
convenient
 Those with power de-emphasize it

 Subordinates are rewarded for taking

initiative
 Loose supervision
Characteristics & Behaviours
1. People are less likely to criticize the boss
2. Elitism is the norm
3. Students question teachers
4. Freedom of thought is encouraged
5. Those in power have special privileges
6. The chain of command is mainly for convenience
7. There are greater wage differences between managers and subordinates
8. Workers prefer precise instructions from superiors
9. Interaction between boss and subordinate is more informal
10. Subordinates and bosses are interdependent
11. Bosses are independent; subordinates are dependent
12. Freedom of thought could get you in trouble
13. It’s okay to question the boss
14. Less social mobility is the norm
15. The pecking order is clearly established
16. The chain of command is sacred
17. Management style is authoritarian and paternalistic
18. Management style is consultative and democratic
19. Interaction between boss and subordinate is formal
 Uncertainty Avoidance
 All groups feel anxiety about
uncertainty and control it with
 Technology to control uncertainty within the
natural world
 Laws, regulations and procedures to control

human behaviour
 Religion to help in understanding
High Uncertainty Avoidance
 People feel especially anxious about
the uncertainty and try to limit and
control it as much as possible.
 More laws, regulations, policies and
procedures and a greater emphasis on
obeying them
 Conformity = predictability

 Structure and systems are comforting

Low Uncertainty Avoidance
 People are not so threatened or
anxious about uncertainty so they
don’t feel a need to control it as
much
 Fewer legislations
 Greater tolerance of differences
 Too much structure makes them feel
boxed in
 Curious about the unknown,
comfortable leaving things to chance
Characteristics & Behaviours
12. Punctuality is highly valued
13. People should keep emotions under control
14. Different is dangerous
15. People change jobs more frequently
16. People expect more formality in interactions
17. People more readily accept protest and disagreement
18. Take things one day at a time
19. People should let their emotions out
20. The chain of command should never be bypassed
21. Conflict in organizations is natural, nothing to be
afraid of
22. People believe in common sense
Characteristics & Behaviours
1. Conflict in organizations should be eliminated
2. Differences are curious
3. People change jobs infrequently
4. A general sense of anxiety prevails
5. A general sense of well-being prevails
6. People accept authority more readily; authority
is comforting
7. People accept authority less readily; authority is
limiting
8. Rules should not be broken
9. Rules can be broken if it makes sense
10. Risks should be avoided
11. Risks are opportunities
The Source of Status
 Achieved (doing)
 People are respected because of what
they have accomplished
 Get ahead by what they have earned.

 Hired based on record of success.

 Education is important, but for what

you do with it.
 Status is not automatic and can be
taken away.
The Source of Status
 Ascribed
 Status is built into the person;
automatic and difficult to lose.
 Family and social class makes you what
you are.
 The school attended is important, not
the education received
 You can never lose status, but you can
lose respect.
 How it all fits together
 Individualism  Collectivism
 Direct
Communication
 Monochronic sense of
time
 Low Power Distance
 Low Uncertainty
Avoidance
 Achieved Status
 Indirect
Communication
 Polychronic sense of
time
 High Power Distance
 High Uncertainty
Avoidance
 Ascribed Status