Cultural dimensions

What are Hofstede’s cultural dimensions?

Model that compares cultural tendencies based on 6 scales (dimensions that measure cultural norms/tendencies)

What are cultural norms?

Expectations of behaviour based on shares beliefs in a culture

What are dimensions?

How values of society effect behaviour → shows behaviour trend in culture

What are the 6 ‘cultural dimensions from Hofstede?

Individualism vs collectivism: Whether culture prioritise individual or group

Power distance index: How a culture accepts inequality & hierarchy

Uncertainty avoidance index: Comfortable with ambiguity & uncertainty

Masculine vs feminine: competition, power, being strongest vs caring, cooperation

Long term vs short term orientation: Focus on future, persistence vs focus on tradition, present & quick results

Indulgence vs restraint: allow people people to enjoy life & have fun vs strict control and regulations

What is the power distance index (what is high & low)

Dimensions measuring extent people accept/expect unequal power distribution

High: People accept authority without questioning (eg, teacher is always right)

Low: People question authority (eg. students openly discuss & criticise teachers question)

Explain the study Korean air study

Aim: Investigate high number of Korean air plane crash

Procedure: Analysis flight data & communication -→ Cop-pilots used indirect language to speak to pilot (hierarchy) → High power distance culture in South Korea

Conclusion: High power distance = poor communication (co-pilots avoided challenging authority) → Power distance influences behaviour

Apply Korean Air case study to Dimensions (Power distance)

High power distance: Co-pilots avoided questioning authority (pilot)

Cultural norms: Indirect. polite language instead of clear communication (Mitigated speech)