Instructor’s Manual for Leadership: Theory, Application, Skill Development, 6e 201
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CONCEPT APPLICATION 10-2
Type of Organizational Culture
Answers to the Concept Application questions are at the end of lecture outline.
F. National Culture Identities—Hofstede’s Value Dimensions (Slide 10-16)
LO 10-5. Describe Hofstede’s theory on National Culture Identities.
The conceptual framework for understanding global cultural differences proposes that national cultures
differ by the values they espouse. Researchers have associated different value dimensions with the
cultures of different nationalities and/or regions of the world. Leading this effort is the work of Geert
Hofstede, whose research identified five value dimensions for understanding global cultural differences.
Each value dimension represents a continuum of two opposite ends. The five value dimensions making up
the framework are the following:
a. Individualism–collectivism
b. High–low uncertainty avoidance
c. High–low power distance
d. Long-term–short-term orientation
e. Masculinity–femininity
On a national level, there are unique cultural identities associated with different countries.
An organization’s cultural archetype may have its roots or some of its roots in the national culture.
Hofstede developed five value dimensions that distinguish a nation’s culture from other nations.
Each of these five dimensions contains two opposing values on opposite ends of a continuum.
See Exhibit 10.4: Hofstede’s Value Dimensions for Understanding National Cultural Differences (Slide 10-17)
1. Individualistic or Collectivistic Cultures (Slide 10-18)
This dimension involves a person’s source of identity in society.
Individualism is a psychological state in which people see themselves first as individuals and believe their
own interest and values are primary.
Collectivism is the state of mind wherein the values and goals of the group—whether extended family,
ethnic group, company, or community—are primary.
The United States, Great Britain, and Canada are individualistic cultures, while Greece, Japan, and Mexico
have collectivistic cultures.
2. High- or Low-Uncertainty-Avoidance Cultures (Slide 10-19)
A society with a high-uncertainty-avoidance culture has a majority of people who do not tolerate risk,
avoid the unknown, and are comfortable when the future is relatively predictable and certain.
In a high uncertainty avoidance country like Japan, managers prefer well-structured and
predictable situations.
The other end of the continuum is a society where the majority of the people have low uncertainty
avoidance.
A low-uncertainty-avoidance culture has a majority of people who are comfortable with and accepting of
the unknown, and tolerate risk and unpredictability.
The United States, Australia, and Canada are associated with low-uncertainty-avoidance cultures
while Argentina, Italy, Japan, and Israel are associated with high-uncertainty-avoidance cultures.
3. High- or Low-Power-Distance Cultures (Slide 10-20)
Power distance is the way in which people of different status, power, or authority should relate to each
other as equals or unequels.
In a high-power-distance culture, leaders and followers rarely interact as equals.
In a low-power-distance culture, leaders and their followers interact on several levels as equals.