HOFSTEDE'S SIX DIMENSIONS OF CULTURE

Psychologist Dr. Geert Hofstede published his cultural dimensions model at the end of
the 1970s, based on a decade of research. Since then, it's become an internationally
recognized standard for understanding cultural differences.

Hofstede studied people who worked for IBM in more than 50 countries. Initially, he
identified four dimensions that could distinguish one culture from another. Later, he added fifth
and sixth dimensions, in cooperation with Dr. Michael H. Bond and Dr.Michael Minkov. These
are:

1. Power Distance Index (PDI)

This refers to the degree of inequality that exists and is accepted between people
with and without power.

A high PDI score indicates that a society accepts an unequal, hierarchical distribution of
power, and that people understand "their place" in the system. A low PDI score means that
power is shared and is widely dispersed, and that society members do not accept situations
where power is distributed unequally.

Application: According to the model, in a high PDI country, such as Malaysia (100), team
members will not initiate any action, and they like to be guided and directed to complete a task.
If a manager doesn't take charge, they may think that the task isn't important.

PDI CHARACTERISTICS TIPS

Centralized organizations. Acknowledge a leader's

More complex hierarchies. status. As an outsider, you
High PDI
Large gaps in may try to circumvent his or
compensation, authority and her power, but don't push
respect. back explicitly.
 Be aware that you may need
to go to the top for answers.

Flatter organizations. Delegate as much as

Supervisors and employees possible.
are considered almost as Ideally, involve all those in
Low PDI
equals. decision making who will be
directly affected by the
decision.

2. Individualism Versus Collectivism (IDV)

This refers to the strength of the ties that people have to others within their community.

A high IDV score indicates weak interpersonal connection among those who are not part
of a core "family." Here, people take less responsibility for others' actions and outcomes.
In a collectivist society, however, people are supposed to be loyal to the group to which they
belong, and, in exchange, the group will defend their interests. The group itself is normally
larger, and people take responsibility for one another's wellbeing.

Application: Central American countries Panama and Guatemala have very low IDV scores (11
and six, respectively). In these countries, as an example, a marketing campaign that
emphasizes benefits to the community would likely be understood and well received, as long as
the people addressed feel part of the same group.

IDV CHARACTERISTICS TIPS

High value placed on Acknowledge individual

people's time and their need accomplishments.
High IDV
for privacy and freedom. Don't mix work life with
An enjoyment of challenges, social life too much.
and an expectation of
 individual rewards for hard Encourage debate and
work. expression of people's own
Respect for privacy. ideas.

Emphasis on building skills Suppress feelings and

and becoming master of emotions that may endanger
something. harmony.
People work for intrinsic Avoid giving negative
rewards. feedback in public.
Low IDV
Maintaining harmony among Saying "No" can cause loss
group members overrides of face, unless it's intended
other moral issues. to be polite. For example,
declining an invitation
several times is expected.

3. Masculinity Versus Femininity (MAS)

This refers to the distribution of roles between men and women.

In masculine societies, the roles of men and women overlap less, and men are expected
to behave assertively. Demonstrating your success, and being strong and fast, are seen as
positive characteristics.

In feminine societies, however, there is a great deal of overlap between male and female
roles, and modesty is perceived as a virtue. Greater importance is placed on good relationships
with your direct supervisors, or working with people who cooperate well with one another.

Application: As we've highlighted, Japan has the highest MAS score of 95, whereas Sweden
has the lowest measured value of five. Therefore, if you open an office in Japan, you should
recognize you are operating in a hierarchical, deferential and traditionally patriarchal society.
Long hours are the norm, and this, in turn, can make it harder for female team members to gain
advancement, due to family commitments.
At the same time, Japan is a culture where all children (male and female) learn the value of
competition and winning as part of a team from a young age. Therefore, female team members
are just as likely to display these notionally masculine traits as their male colleagues.
By comparison, Sweden is a very feminine society, according to Hofstede's model. Here, people
focus on managing through discussion, consensus, compromise, and negotiation.

MAS CHARACTERISTICS TIPS

Strong egos feelings of A long-hours culture may be

pride and importance are the norm, so recognize its
attributed to status. opportunities and risks.
Money and achievement are People are motivated by
High MAS
important. precise targets, and by
being able to show that they
achieved them either as a
group or as individuals.

Relationship Success is more likely to be

oriented/consensual. achieved through
More focus on quality of life. negotiation, collaboration
and input from all levels.
Workplace flexibility and
work-life balance may be
Low MAS
important, both in terms of
job design, organizational
environment and culture,
and the way that
performance management
can be best realized.
4. Uncertainty Avoidance Index (UAI)
This dimension describes how well people can cope with anxiety.

In societies that score highly for Uncertainty Avoidance, people attempt to make life as
predictable and controllable as possible. If they find that they can't control their own lives, they
may be tempted to stop trying. These people put their fate "in the hands of God." While people
in low UAI-scoring countries are more relaxed, open or inclusive.

Bear in mind that avoiding uncertainty is not necessarily the same as avoiding risk.
Hofstede argues that you may find people in high-scoring countries who are prepared to engage
in risky behavior, precisely because it reduces ambiguities, or in order to avoid failure.

Application: In Hofstede's model, Greece tops the UAI scale with 100, while Singapore scores
the lowest with eight. Therefore, during a meeting in Greece, you might be keen to generate
discussion, because you recognize that there's a cultural tendency for team members to make
the safest, most conservative decisions, despite any emotional outbursts. Your aim is to
encourage them to become more open to different ideas and approaches, but it may be helpful
to provide a relatively limited, structured set of options or solutions.

UAI CHARACTERISTICS TIPS

Conservative, rigid and Be clear and concise about

structured, unless the expectations and goals, and
danger of failure requires a set clearly defined
more flexible attitude. parameters. But encourage
Many societal conventions. creative thinking and
High UAI
People are expressive, and dialogue where you can.
are allowed to show anger Recognize that emotion,
or emotions, if necessary. anger and vigorous hand
A high energy society, if gestures may simply be part
people feel that they are in of the conversation.
control of their life instead of
 feeling overwhelmed by
life's vagaries.

Openness to change or Ensure that people remain

innovation, and generally focused, but don't create too
inclusive. much structure.
More inclined to open-ended Titles are less important, so
Low UAI learning or decision making. avoid "showing off" your
Less sense of urgency. knowledge or experience.
Respect is given to those
who can cope under all
circumstances.

5. Pragmatic Versus Normative (PRA)

This dimension is also known as Long-Term Orientation. It refers to the degree to which
people need to explain the inexplicable, and is strongly related to religiosity and nationalism.

In general terms, countries that score highly for PRA tend to be pragmatic, modest, long-term
oriented, and thriftier. In low-scoring countries, people tend to be religious and nationalistic.
Self-enhancement is also important here, along with a person's desire to please their parents.

Application: The U.S. has a normative score. This is reflected in the importance of short-term
gains and quick results (profit and loss statements are quarterly, for example). It is also reflected
in strong normative positions politically and socially.

PRA CHARACTERISTICS TIPS

People often wonder how to Behave in a modest way.

Pragmatic know what is true. For People are more willing to
example, questions like compromise, yet this may
not always be clear to
 "What?" and "How?" are outsiders; this is certainly so
asked more than "Why?" in a culture that also scores
Thrift and education are high on PDI.
seen as positive values.
Modesty.
Virtues and obligations are
emphasized.

People often want to know Sell yourself to be taken

"Why?" seriously.
Strong convictions. People are less willing to
As people tend to oversell compromise as this would
Normative themselves, others will be seen as weakness.
assess their assertions Flattery empowers.
critically.
Values and rights are
emphasized.

6. Indulgence Versus Restraint (IVR)

Hofstede's sixth dimension, discovered and described together with Michael Minkov, is
also relatively new, and is therefore accompanied by less data.

Countries with a high IVR score allow or encourage relatively free gratification of
people's own drives and emotions, such as enjoying life and having fun. In a society with a low
IVR score, there is more emphasis on suppressing gratification and more regulation of people's
conduct and behavior, and there are stricter social norms.

Application: According to the model, Eastern European countries, including Russia, have a low
IVR score. Hofstede argues that these countries are characterized by a restrained culture,
where there is a tendency towards pessimism. People put little emphasis on leisure time and, as
the title suggests, people try to restrain themselves to a high degree.
 PDI CHARACTERISTICS TIPS

Optimistic. Don't take life too seriously.

Importance of freedom of Encourage debate and
speech. dialogue in meetings or
High Focus on personal decision making.

Indulgence happiness. Prioritize feedback,

coaching and mentoring.
Emphasize flexible working
and work-life balance.

Pessimistic. Avoid making jokes when

More controlled and rigid engaged in formal sessions.
High behavior. Instead, be professional.

Restraint Only express negativity

about the world during
informal meetings.

As a conclusion, cultural norms play a large part in interpersonal relationships at work.

When you step into a foreign culture, things suddenly seem different, and you don't want to
cause offense. By using Hofstede's Cultural Dimensions as a starting point, you can evaluate
your approach, your decisions, and your actions, based on a general sense of how people in a
particular society might think and react.