CULTURAL INTELLIGENCE

IN A VUCA WORLD
 Lesson 4:
Cultural Dimensions
LEARNING OBJECTIVE
Values are part of human existence and are consistent and stable over time. This concept of
cultural dimensions, which are frameworks for how a given group of people in a society behave,
are based upon social scientific research that measures a society’s central tendencies.

KEY TAKEAWAY
• Identify three levels of human programming according to intercultural theorist Geert Hofstede
and explain their differences.
• Differentiate each of the 6 Cultural Dimensions based upon Geert Hofstede’s research.
• Contemplate how the 6 Cultural Dimensions are both verifiable socio-cultural phenomena
while at the same time make room for variation among individuals in any given nation.
• Apply your understanding of Hofstede’s 6 Cultural Dimensions to YOUR national culture in
comparison to another national culture.
• Explore the meanings of: country, nation, nation state, sovereign state, and society.

LEADERSHIP APPLICATIONS
Since cultures can be measure based upon group tendencies, leaders who know that the principles
they follow are backed by strong validity and reliability can engage difference with confidence.
Why is culture so important?
PERSPECTIVES FROM
Geert Hofstede and son, Gert Jan Hofstede
http://www.geerthofstede.nl/

• Every visitor of this site has her or his unique personality, history, and interest. Yet all
people share a common human nature. Our shared human nature is intensely social:
we are group animals. We use language and empathy, and practice collaboration and
intergroup competition. But the unwritten rules of how we do these things differ
from one human group to another.

• "Culture" is how we call these unwritten rules about how to be a good member of the
group. Culture provides moral standards about how to be an upstanding group
member; it defines the group as a "moral circle". It inspires symbols, heroes, rituals,
laws, religions, taboos, and all kinds of practices - but its core is hidden in unconscious
values that change at a far slower rate than the practices.

• We tend to classify groups other than our own as inferior or (rarely) superior. This
applies to groups based on national, religious, or ethnic boundaries, but also on
occupation or academic discipline, on club membership, adored idol, or dress style.

• In our globalized world most of us can belong to many groups at the same time. But
to get things done, we still need to cooperate with members of other groups carrying
other cultures. Skills in cooperation across cultures are vital for our common survival.
Three Levels of Cultural Programming

Specific to Personality Inherited

individuals and learned

Specific to Specific to
groups Culture individuals

Universal Human Nature Biological

http://www.geerthofstede.com
 Cultural Dimensions
Geert Hofstede

• Power
• Individualism -
Collectivism
• Gender
• Uncertainty
• Time Long/Short
• Indulgence/Constraint

On a scale of 0-100
http://geert-hofstede.com/
Cultural Dimensions

Power Distance (PDI)

Focuses on the degree of equality, or inequality, between people in the
country's society.

• A High Power Distance ranking indicates that inequalities of power

and wealth have been allowed to grow within the society. These
societies are more likely to follow a caste system that does not allow
significant upward mobility of its citizens.
• A Low Power Distance ranking indicates the society de-emphasizes
the differences between citizen's power and wealth. In these
societies equality and opportunity for everyone is stressed.
Cultural Dimensions

Individualism (IDV)
Focuses on the degree the society reinforces individual or collective,
achievement and interpersonal relationships
• A High Individualism ranking indicates that individuality and individual
rights are paramount within the society. Individuals in these societies
may tend to form a larger number of looser relationships.
• A Low Individualism ranking typifies societies of a more collectivist
nature with close ties between individuals. These cultures reinforce
extended families and collectives where everyone takes responsibility
for fellow members of their group.
 Cultural Dimensions

Masculinity (MAS)
Focuses on the degree the society reinforces,
or does not reinforce, the traditional
masculine work role model of male
achievement, control, and power.
• A High Masculinity ranking indicates the
country experiences a high degree of
gender differentiation. In these cultures,
males dominate a significant portion of the
society and power structure, with females
being controlled by male domination.
• A Low Masculinity ranking indicates the
country has a low level of differentiation
and discrimination between genders. In
these cultures, females are treated equally
to males in all aspects of the society.
Cultural Dimensions

Uncertainty Avoidance Index (UAI)

Focuses on the level of tolerance for uncertainty and ambiguity within
the society - i.e., unstructured situations
• A High Uncertainty Avoidance ranking indicates the country has a
low tolerance for uncertainty and ambiguity. This creates a rule-
oriented society that institutes laws, rules, regulations, and controls
in order to reduce the amount of uncertainty.
• A Low Uncertainty Avoidance ranking indicates the country has less
concern about ambiguity and uncertainty and has more tolerance
for a variety of opinions. This is reflected in a society that is less
rule-oriented, more readily accepts change, and takes more and
greater risks.
Cultural Dimensions

Long-Term Orientation (LTO)

Focuses on the degree the society embraces, or does not embrace, long-
term devotion to traditional, forward thinking values
• A High Long-Term Orientation ranking indicates the country prescribes
to the values of long-term commitments and respect for tradition.
This is thought to support a strong work ethic where long-term
rewards are expected as a result of today's hard work. However,
business may take longer to develop in this society, particularly for an
"outsider".
• A Low Long-Term Orientation ranking indicates the country does not
reinforce the concept of long-term, traditional orientation. In this
culture, change can occur more rapidly as long-term traditions and
commitments do not become impediments to change.
Cultural Dimensions

Indulgence and Restraint (I-R)

This dimension is defined as the extent to which people try to control their
desires and impulses, based on the way they were raised.

• A tendency toward a relatively weak control over their impulses is called

“indulgence”,
• A relatively strong control over their urges is called “restraint”.
• Cultures can be described as indulgent or restrained.
 Cultural Generalizations
Are generalizations considered labels or stereotypes?

Milton Bennett, a prominent U.S. scholar in the field of intercultural education:

“Good cultural generalizations are based on systematic cross-cultural research.

They refer to predominant tendencies among groups of people, so they are
not labels for individuals. A given individual may exhibit the predominant
group tendency a lot, a little, or not at all. So cultural generalizations must be
applied to individuals as tentative hypotheses, always open to verification.”
 Summary
All leaders need the proof that what they espouse is credible. This session
investigated the theory behind cultural dimensions in order to look at how
central tendencies of a nation can be used as a starting point in order to
understand difference.
• Three levels of cultural programming inform our behaviors. The field of
intercultural communication has robust scientific evidence to support its claims.
• Cultures can be measure based upon group tendencies; however, each
individual is different and not all individuals have the same values of a majority
group.
• Culture is what we call the unwritten rules about how to be a good member of
the group. Its core is hidden in unconscious values, which are part of human
existence – they are stable and consistent over time; However, values change at
a far slower rate than the practices.
• All humans share certain things at the deepest level of human nature – e.g., we
all need to eat and sleep; love and be loved; find meaning and happiness in life.
It is at the cultural level that we share common experiences that we share with
a particular group of fellow human beings and THIS is what informs us regarding
what it means to love and be loved; what meaning and fulfillment are, etc. In
addition, our personalities add another layer that creates more complexity and
creativity with the human condition.