Transcript cultural variability..

DIMENSIONS OF
CULTURAL VARIABILITY
FRAMEWORKS FOR STUDYING
CROSS-CULTURAL VARIABILITY
* Hall’s concepts of time, space and
context
* Hofstede’s value dimensions
* Trompenaars’ value dilemmas
 Cultural Dimensions
HALL’S CONCEPTS
• Polychronic versus monochronic time
orientation
• Space
• High versus low context of information
HOFSTEDE’S VALUE DIMENSIONS
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Individualism versus Collectivism
Power Distance
Uncertainty Avoidance
Masculinity versus Femininity
Individualism pertains to societies in which
the ties between individuals are loose:
everyone is expected to look after himself
or herself and his or her immediate family.
Collectivism as its opposite pertains to
societies in which people form birth onwards
are integrated into strong, cohesive in-groups
which throughout people’s lifetime continue
to protect them in exchange for
unquestioning loyalty.
Power distance- amount of respect
and deference between those in
superior and subordinate positions
Uncertainty Avoidance- the focus
on planning and the creation of
stability as a way of dealing
with life’s uncertainties
Masculinity- emphasis on
dominance, achievement, recognition,
task-orientation
Femininity - emphasis on
Harmony, co-operation, social
relationships
TRIANDIS’ CULTURAL PATTERNS
* Individualism-collectivism
* Cultural looseness-tightness
* Cultural Complexity
Individualist cultures:“I” consciousness,
prioritizing personal goals, independence
Collectivist cultures: “We consciousness,”
relational, group oriented
Cultural tightness: cultures where
norms are clear, deviations are
prohibited
Cultural complexity: developed,
industrialized, urbanized societies
TROMPENAARS’ DIMENSIONS
• Individualism-Communitarianism
• Universalism-Particularism
• Ascription Oriented- Achievement
Oriented
• Diffuse-Specific
TROMPENAARS’ DIMENSIONS
• Neutral- Affective
• Internal-External control
• Past, present, future time orientation
ADDITIONAL DIMENSIONS
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Direct versus indirect style of communication
Saving face
Focus on past, presence or future
Matter-of-fact versus building up social relationships
Action versus results
Problem-solving styles
I. Attitudes towards Work
High

Low
2. Uncertainty Avoidance
Ready to take risks

Sceptical
3. Attitudes
Performance

Quality of life
4. Key to Productivity
Facts

Harmony
5. Problem-solving Style
Results

Action
1. Social Relations
Less important

Very important
2. Significance of Group
Low

High
1. Concept of Time
Monochronic

Polychronic
2. Time and Other People
One after another

All at once
3. Orientation
Past

Future
direct

indirect
2. Context
Low

High
3. Saving Face
Less important

More important
1.
Power Distance
II. Social Relationships
III. Time Orientation
IV. Communication
1.
Style
QUESTIONS
• Why are dimensions of cultural
variability important?
• Does New Zealand’s positioning on
Individualism,Uncertainty Avoidance,
Masculinity, Power Distance surprise
you?