Hofstede's Dimensions of National Culture

Hofstede has been a pioneer in mapping the diversity of human cultures. His ideas were first based on a large research project at IBM which was then expanded across dozens of countries and to other researchers. These studies identify and validate six independent dimensions of national culture differences:

Power distance describes how well a society handles inequality. It is the extent to which the less powerful members of work organizations and institutions accept and expect the unequal distribution of power. In individualist societies, people have weak ties to others and are expected to take care of themselves and their families. In collectivist societies, people think of themselves as part of a strong group that often includes extended families.

In masculine societies, men are expected to be assertive, tough, and focused on material success. In feminine societies, women are expected to be modest, tender, caring, and concerned with the home and the quality of life. In uncertainty-avoiding cultures, people are emotional, anxious and expressive, even fidgety. People in uncertainty-accepting cultures, on the other hand, may come across as contemplative, quiet, easygoing, and unexpressive.

In long-term-oriented societies, people foster virtues that emphasize future reward. Short-term-oriented societies emphasize the past and the present: respect for tradition, preserving face, and fulfilling social obligations. Indulgent societies are characterized by the perception that people can act as they please. Societies operating at restraint are characterized by a perception that enjoying leisurely activities and excessive spending are somewhat wrong. Understanding cultural differences is important to your development.