Scribd
Upload
56 views4 pages

BE. China and Germany

This document compares Germany and China based on Hofstede's five cultural dimensions: Power Distance, Individualism, Masculinity, Uncertainty Avoidance, and Long Term Orientation. It finds that China has higher Power Distance and Long Term Orientation scores compared to Germany, while Germany scores higher on Individualism and Uncertainty Avoidance. Both countries score similarly on Masculinity.

Uploaded by

Bhavna Rathore
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
56 views4 pages

BE. China and Germany

This document compares Germany and China based on Hofstede's five cultural dimensions: Power Distance, Individualism, Masculinity, Uncertainty Avoidance, and Long Term Orientation. It finds that China has higher Power Distance and Long Term Orientation scores compared to Germany, while Germany scores higher on Individualism and Uncertainty Avoidance. Both countries score similarly on Masculinity.

Uploaded by

Bhavna Rathore
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 4

Hofstedes five dimensions model is a useful tool to give someone an insight of

different cultures. These elements give a countrys behavior tendencies rather than
an exact prescription. The following is the comparison between China and Germany,
based on Hofstedes five dimension model.

Comparison of Germany and China

Power Distance Index


Individualism
Masculinity

Germany 35 LOW

China 80 HIGH

Germany 67 HIGH China 66 LOW


Germany 66 HIGH

China 66 HIGH

Uncertainty Avoidance

Germany 65 HIGH China 30 LOW

Long Term Orientation

Germany 31LOW

China 118 HIGH

DIMENSION

CHINA

GERMANY

POWER DISTANCE

China has a high ranking


of 80 than Germany which
means that the power
distance remains high in
business and in society in
general. This means that
people are less willing to
challenge authority which
is likely due to old
communism beliefs which
still
have
a
strong
influence
on
peoples
behaviour.
When doing business in
China one must be aware
of this large hierarchy
gap. It is often hard to
move
up
on
their
corporate
ladder
compared
to
other
cultures.

Power Distance is a low 35


in Germany.
This score
suggests German society,
work and families treat
people
with
equality,
encouraging collaboration
and
a
fair
cultural
environment.
German
managers and employees
are often close, (reflected
in the medium to low
power distance (PD) in
German culture) because
they believe that they are
working together to create
a good product.

INDIVIDUALISM

In China, people work


together in groups and
often put the needs of
that group ahead of their
own personal wants. They
embrace shared
responsibility.
Chinese business habits
tend to stay with the same
partners or suppliers to
keep loyalty and not
deteriorate relationships.
So when doing business
with others it is a good
idea to select a good
strong partnership that
has potential to last a long
time. It is looked down

Germany scored 67 points


on individualism, the
tendency of people to look
after themselves and their
immediate family only.
Therefore, Germany has a
highly individualistic
society. In such cultures
individuality,
independence, and selfdetermination are valued.
Germans place high
priority on looking after
themselves and their
immediate family. At work,
however, Germans jointly
assume responsibilities
and achieve goals in

upon if you frequently


change business partners.

groups. Negotiating
decisions is often referred
to committees.

MASCULINITY

Officially, women in China


have the same rights as
men in the workplace and
the party has promoted
this sense of equality over
the past thirty years or so.
However, In China, the
strong preference of boys
is due to the traditional
values. Men hold most of
the responsibility and
power positions although
there is a high level of
consensus between
genders in China.

Germany scored 66 points


on masculinity, a cultural
characteristic in which
success, money and
material possessions form
the dominant values in
society. Germans place
greater importance on
earnings, recognition,
advancement and
challenge.
Germany is a maledominated society; few
married women work
outside the home
However, this is slowly
changing in the younger
generations of Germany.
Women are becoming
more accepted in higher
positions.

UNCERTAININTY
AVOIDANCE

China presents a high


degree of acceptance of
uncertainty, which is a
characteristic of a society
that does not try to take
control of the future, and
that is not afraid of
unforeseen situations.
Contrary to Germany,
Chinese society does not
feel such an urge to
establish strict rules to
overcome uncertainty or
ambiguity. It is also
characteristic of a society
that is more tolerant
towards opinions,
behaviors that are

Germany scored 65 points


on Hofstedes uncertainty
avoidance index. Germans
insist on written rules and
detailed codes of conduct.
Germans are not keen on
uncertainty; by planning
everything carefully they
try to avoid the
uncertainty. In Germany
there is a society that
relies on rules, laws and
regulations. Germany
wants to reduce its risks
to the minimum and
proceed with changes
step by step.

different from its own, and


changes. And it is a more
meditative society which
does not feel the need of
controlling its
environment.
LONG TERM ORIENTATION

China slow and steady


wins the race for business
deals. Building strong,
reliable, lasting
relationships is key for the
Chinese. A certain amount
of trust must be gained
before any decision is
met. It may take three to
four times the length of
time to finish the business
deal compared to your
cultural standards. So if
you do not come to a fast
agreement, don't be
discouraged, make the
client feel comfortable
and show your patience.
The Chinese never like to
rush into things.

Germany is typical of
Westernised cultures with
regards to having shortterm orientation.
Germany is renowned for
its appreciation of
efficiency. People from
cultures where managers
are expected to develop a
closer, more intimate
ambience can see the
German managersubordinate relationship
as distant and cold.
Germans put truth and
directness before
diplomacy, believing that
the fact is the important
issue and that personal
emotions should not
deflect the truth from
being spoken.

You might also like