What Is Culture ?

Culture as “ways of living”

Culture is learned, not innate

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MEXICO - Wards off hunger

INDIA - Wards off evil

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Dimensions of Culture
Hofstedes culture Dimensions
Power Distance
• The degree of inequality that exists – and is accepted by
the people with or without the power.
Characteristics of PD

• Centralized
• Large Gap in Compensation and
High authority

• Flatter Organisation
• Supervisors and Employees are
Low almost equal
Individualism
• Refers to the Strength of the ties people have to others
within the community.
Characteristics of Individualism

• Respect For Privacy

• An Enjoyment of Challenges, and an
High expectation of rewards for hardwork

• Emphasis on building skills and

becoming masters of something
Low • Work for Intrinsic rewards
Masculinity Vs Femininity
• Refers how the society sticks with and values,
traditional male and female roles
• A masculine culture emphasizes status derived
from wages and positions.
• A Feminine culture emphasizes on human
relations and quality of life.
Uncertainty Avoidance
• Relates to the degree of anxiety society
members feel when in uncertain and
unknown situations.
Characteristics Of Uncertainty Avoidance

• Very formal Business conduct with lots

of rules and regulations
• Need and expect structure
High • Difference are avoided

• Informal Business Attitude

• More concern with the long term
strategy
Low • Accepting of change and risk
Long term Orientation
• Refers to how much society values long standing – as
opposed to short term – traditional values
Characteristics Of Long Term Orientation

• Strong work ethic

• High value placed on education and
training
High • Hesitant to introduce changes

• High Creativity and mind set to

introduce change
Low
Culture & Management Styles
in Selected Countries
Culture of Japan
Cultural Pattern Of Japan

• Japanese are a Homogeneous People

• Reject Foreign Influences
• Principles of Wa
• Masculine Culture
• Uncertainty avoidance
Largest country located in central Europe

GERMANY
Cultural Pattern Of Germany
• Planning & Orderliness
• Long term thinking
• Low Power Distance
• High Quality
• High Technical Knowledge
World’s largest Communist Country

CHINA
Cultural Patterns of CHINA
• Investments in work organizations,
both in human and monetary terms are
regarded as long term.
• Four Cultural Characteristics
• Persistence
• Respect for relationship
• Thrift
• Sense of Shame
Culture of Mexico
Cultural Pattern Of Mexico
• Collectivism
• Higher Power Distance
• Higher uncertainty Avoidance
• No Value for time
• More Formalities
• Importance towards family
• Negotiation is a long process
Thank You
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