Cultural value & dimensions
Topics
1. Cultural value dimensions
Masculinity/Femininity
Power distance
Long term orientation
Achievement v.s ascription
Universalistic v.s particularistic
Specific v.s. diffuse
Affective v.s. neutral
Masculinity and Femininity
Masculinity- refers to assertiveness, materialism,
and a lack of concern for others
Femininity- refer to a concern for others, for
relationships, and for the quality of life
In the GLOBE study, gender egalitarianism
measures roles men and women are suited for
– Denmark and New Zealand most gender
egalitarian; Eastern Europe and Nordic Europe
– Iran and Qatar are the least gender egalitarian;
Middle East, Confucian Asia, Germanic Europe
In masculine cultures, there is division of
gender roles
Masculine cultures emphasize on work
goals (earnings) and achievement
In feminine cultures, the social gender
roles overlap
Feminine cultures emphasize on having a
good working relationship with direct
superior and cooperating well with one
another
Major Differences between “Feminine” and
“Masculine” Cultures
"Feminine" cultures
"Masculine" cultures
Flexible sex roles
Complementary sex roles
Emphasize nurturance
Emphasize achievements
Quality of work life
Economic growth
Work in order to live
Live in order to work
Environmental issues
Business performance
Example
Sweden
Japan
Netherlands
Austria
Costa Rica
Italy
Finland
Power distance
Refer to the level of acceptance by a society of
the unequal distribution of power in institution
In large power distance cultures, superiors and
subordinates consider each other as
existentially unequal → organizations
centralize powers as much as possible in few
hands at the upper level
Subordinates expect to be told what to do, the
ideal boss plays the benevolent autocratic role
Rewards and punishments based on age, rank,
status, title and seniority
Power distance
In small power distance cultures, the
hierarchical system is just an inequality of
roles, established for convenience; roles may
be changed. → Organizations are fairly
decentralized
Small power distance cultures value equal
power distribution, equal rights and relations,
and equitable rewards and punishments based
on performance
Major Differences between Small Power Distance and
Large Power Distance Cultures
Small power distance cultures
Large power distance cultures
Emphasize equal distance
Emphasize power distance
Individual credibility
Seniority, age, rank, title
Symmetrical interaction
Asymmetrical interaction
Emphasize informality
Emphasize formality
Subordinates expect consultation
Expect direction
Example
Austria
Malaysia
Israel
Arab countries
Denmark
India
Canada/USA
Philippines
Long-term orientation
Based on Confucian dynamism dimension
underlying Chinese values, attitudes and
behavior
Long-term orientation refers to the extent to
which members of a culture accept delayed
gratification of their material, social and
emotional needs
Short-Term vs Long-Term Orientation Characteristics
Short-term orientation
characteristics
Long-term orientation
characteristics
Personal survival/security
Social order
Personal respect/dignity
Hierarchical respect
Individual face-saving
Collective face-saving
Short- to medium-term planning
Long-term planning
Spending centered
Thrift centered
Short- to medium-term outcomes
Long-term outcomes
Example
Pakistan
China/HongKong/Taiwan
Canada/USA
Japan
UK
South Korea
Zimbabwe
Brazil
Power Distance and Individualism
Power Distance and Uncertainty Avoidance
Hofstede country comparisons
Achievement v.s. Ascription
Refers to the source of power and status in
society
In achievement society status and power is
based on individual achievement (job
performance, level of education,
experience…)
In ascription society, status are ascribed on
the basis of class, age, gender…
People from ascription society tend to live
up to their ascribed status
Universalistic v.s Particularistic
Refers to how we judge others’ behavior
Universalistic cultures apply rules and
system objectively, without consideration
for individual circumstances → all persons
falling under the rule should be treated the
same
Particularistic cultures puts the obligation
on relationships and is more subjective →
people in this culture are more likely to pass
on insider information to a friend
Universalistic v.s Particularistic
In particularistic cultures, judgments focus
on the exceptional nature of present
circumstances → must sustain, protect or
discount this person no matter what the
rules say
A universalist will think of particularists as
“they cannot be trusted because they will
always help their friends.”
A particularist conversely think of
universalists as “you cannot trust them; they
would not even help a friend.”
Affective v.s. Neutral
In cultures high on affectivity, people would
openly express emotions
In cultures high on neutrality, emotions and
feelings are controlled
Humor and jokes help to loose up the
audiences in US and England but not in a
professional setting in Germany
Raising voice for important issues is seen as
a sign of extra concern in Nigeria, but a sign
of loss face in Malaysia
Specific v.s. Diffuse
Refers to involvement in relationships
Specific-oriented cultures separate work
and personal issues and relationship.
Businesses are impersonal
Diffuse-oriented cultures spill work into
personal relationships and vice versa.
Independent and Interdependent Self-construal
Exist within each individual regardless of
his or her cultural identity
Refer to the degree to which people
conceive of themselves as separate or
connected to others respectively
Independent construal of self: an individual
is a unique entity with an individuated
collection of feelings, cognitions, and
motivations
Interdependent construal of self: importance
of relational connectedness
Characteristics of the Independent Self and the
Interdependent Self
Independent self
Interdependent self
Self-orientation
Other-orientation
Personal self-esteem
Collective self-esteem
Personal achievement
Group achievement
Relational
connectedness
Particularistic-based
principles
Relational autonomy
Universalistic-based
principles
Personal self-esteem vs collective
self-esteem
Personal self-esteem (independent self): feeling
good about oneself requires fulfilling the tasks
associated with being an independent, being
unique, expressing one’s inner attributes, and
asserting oneself
Collective self-esteem (interdependent self):
feeling good about oneself derives from fulfilling
the tasks associated with being interdependent
with relevant others such as belonging, fitting in,
occupying one’s proper place, promoting others’
goal, and maintaining harmony