Question

According to the Adler text, “Hofstede found that national culture explained more of the differences in work-related values and attitudes than did position within the organization, profession, age or gender. In summarizing the most important differences, Hofstede initially found that managers and employees varied on four primary dimensions: 1) Individualism or Collectivism; 2) Power Distance; 3) Uncertainty Avoidance; and 4) Career Success vs. Quality of Life. Later, Hofstede and his colleagues identified a fifth dimension: 5) Confucian Dynamism --- primarily an Asian concept (Adler, p. 51).

Hofstede’s Dimensions are also covered in the Online Educational Resources (OER 3.2 and OER 4.2)) for weeks 3 and 4. Also, you can go to CONTENT>COURSE RESOURCES>HOFSTED HOMEPAGE for more information.

Question: Where is your culture for EACH of Hofstede’s original four dimensions?

1) Individualism or Collectivism 2) Power Distance 3) Uncertainty Avoidance 4) Career Success vs. Quality of Life.

Answer 1

Hofstede explained that the four cultural dimensions are responsible for varied attitude and values among individual that refle4cts in the orgnaization culture the individual presents. These four dimensions include-

Individuality versus collectivism- this difference examplifies the tendency of some individuals to remain as own identity and other to be in a knitted netwrok and collective identities on basis of their ethnicity, religion, race or culture. I being from a White ethnic society, try to follow individualism in my approach.

Power distance- this dimesnions epxlains the distribution and differences in society due to unequal distribution of power and on basis of power. Analysing myself i feel i have some values that are infleunced by power distance, this makes me feel that the higher individual in hierarchy is powerful and unapproachable than lower ones.

Uncertainity avoidance- the people in society are not at peace with ambiguity and uncewrtainity. Following this dimension i consider that I become distressed due to uncertainity and nature of the enviornment at times.

Carees success versus quality of life- this explains how the individual focus on success of profession or quality of life. I mention this quality in my attitude that i clealry focus on quality of life and how well the enviornment, work and people around me develops my life and its quality.