(Sethi and Elango, 1999). They affect how firms strategize, compete, and manage personnel. Cultural theory, particularly Geert Hoftede's cultural dimensions model, demonstrates that significant differences exist between countries in terms of culture (Noorderhaven and Harzing, 2003). Some countries tend to be individualistic (prioritise individual wellbeing) and others collectivist (prioritise group wellbeing). Some are characterised as high power distance societies (accept unequal distribution of power and authority) and others as low power distance societies (promote equality). These intrinsic characteristics influence how individuals within a given society think, behave, and relate with one another (Pudelko and Harzing, 2007). Based on this premise, a lower power distance society is more likely… Continue Reading...
cultural dimensions model and using this as the theoretical basis of all interactions between the Western company and the Chinese JV partner and relevant authorities, as well as other stakeholders—such as consumers, community members and so on. The Hofstede model of cultural dimensions provides a basic understanding of the cultural differences between the West and the East and how these differences are infused into institutions, organizations and consumer behavior of both parties (Hur, Kang & Kim, 2015).
For example, the Chinese are far more forward-looking and focused on achieving long-term… Continue Reading...
within a society. Other elements include religion, attitude, education, manners and customs. Hofstede and Tropenaars propose different cultural dimensions. Hofstede proposes dimensions such as individualism vs. collectivism, time orientation, power distance and masculine vs. feminine. On the other hand, Trompenaars proposes universalism vs. particularism, specific vs. diffuse, neutral vs. emotional and achievement vs. ascription.
There are various cultural dimensions of doing business in different regions of the world. For instance, in Japan, a slight bow and hand shake are fitting. It is imperative not to look directly into the eyes of the hosts, and business there has a group orientation and not individualistic. In Korea, there has… Continue Reading...
the relationship between gender construction and expressions of power. As Hofstede showed in his model of cultural dimensions, every culture has its own dominant expressions of gender, which in turn impact power dynamics, power distance, attitudes about work, life, leadership and so on.[footnoteRef:3] [3: Geert Hofstede, "Cultural dimensions in management and planning." Asia Pacific Journal of Management 1, no. 2 (1984), 83.]
Critical theory is based on the idea that “to be critical, an inquiry must challenge directly underlying human interests and ideologies.”[footnoteRef:4] The first critical theorists particularly those of the Frankfurt School (Adorno, Horkheimer et al.) examined society and its constructs by unpacking the assumptions and behaviors… Continue Reading...
cultural background. As Hofstede (1984) notes, every country has its own set of cultural dimensions, and these must absolutely be considered by a business that is attempting to penetrate a foreign market or expand a product range in that market. Wang (2012) notes that Mattel stumbled mightily in China when it attempted to open its Barbie store there because it failed to consider the Chinese culture and how it differed from the American culture. The Chinese simply were not interested in the American Barbie doll, which represented ideals of freedom, independence and individuality, as these ideals were counter to the ideals of duty,… Continue Reading...
globalisation has led to a convergence of business cultures and practices.
Cultural Differences
Different cultural theories, notably Geert Hofstede's Cultural Dimensions Theory, suggest that significant cultural differences exist between countries (Hofstede, 2001). Values, beliefs, norms, traditions, and worldviews vary from one country to another. For example, while some countries value individualism, others emphasise collectivism and group harmony. Some view power and status as a source of recognition, while others consider individual accomplishments as the source of recognition. Generally, culture affects the behaviours, attitudes, and perceptions of a particular group of people (Luthans and Doh, 2012). It affects everything from language and communication to business. Indeed, the influence of culture… Continue Reading...
