Hofstede’s Cultural Value System

 Power Distance

 Masculinity vs Femininity

Presented By: Submitted To:

Mohammad Towhidul Islam Chowdhury Miss Cindy
Student ID: 20192280036 Inter-Cultural Communication
Electrical & Computer Engineering (ECE) South China University of Technology
Masters of Science
 Definition
Power distance is a term that describes how people belonging to a
specific culture. Power relationships can be viewed us superior and
subordinate relationships, in addition power relationship can be seen
amongst people not in power who accept that power is spread
unequally.
 Cultural Differences
Low Power Distance Culture High Power Distance Culture
Source: https://www.hofstede-insights.com/country-comparison/austria,bangladesh,china,the-usa/
High Power Distance & China
High Power Distance (80) Low Power Distance (40) High Power Distance (80) Lower Power Distance (11)
• Strong power • Hierarchy in an •Being independent,
• Relationships organization is seen hierarchy for convenience
delegation.
as reflecting inherent only, equal rights, superiors
between • Informal accessible, coaching
employees and inequalities,
relationship. centralization is leader, management
managers are not • More initiatives facilitates and empowers.
popular, subordinates
Close from employees. •Power is decentralized,
expect to be told what
Employees expect to be
• Work experience to do and the ideal
• Boss is expected to consulted. Control is
and personal boss is a benevolent disliked.
take all the achievements are autocrat. •Communication is direct
initiatives more important • Boss is expected to and participative.
take all the initiatives
than degrees.
 Summary of Power Distance
High PD Culture
 People who hold power and people who are
affected by power are significantly far apart.
 Vertical, hierarchical (everybody has a
rightful place).
 E.g. Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Brazil,
Singapore, Greece, Venezuela, Mexico, etc.
Low PD Culture
 The power holders and people affected by the
power holders are significantly closer
 Horizontal (inequality in society should be
minimized)
 E.g. Austria, Finland, Denmark, Norway, New
Zealand, etc.
Masculinity vs Femininity
 Definition

This dimension focuses on how extent to which a society stress

achievement or nurture.  Masculinity is seen to be the trait which
emphasizes ambition, acquisition of wealth, and differentiated gender
roles.  Femininity is seen to be the trait which stress caring and
nurturing behaviours, sexuality equality, environmental awareness,
and more fluid gender roles.
 Traits of Masculinity / Femininity
Value High Masculine
ego oriented
Social norms money and things are important
live in order to work
economic growth high priority
Politics and economics
conflict solved through force
most important in life
Religion
only men can be priests
larger gender wage gap
Work fewer women in management
preference for higher pay
traditional family structure
Family and School girls cry, boys don’t; boys fight, girls
don’t failing is a disaster
Low Masculine (Feminine)
relationship oriented
quality of life and people are important
work in order to live
environment protection high priority
conflict solved through negotiation
less important in life
both men and women as priests
smaller gender wage gap
more women in management
preference for fewer working hours
flexible family structure
both boys and girls cry; neither fight
failing a minor accident
 Comparison Score of Masculinity within various Countries

Source: https://www.hofstede-insights.com/country-comparison/austria,bangladesh,china,the-usa/
 Summary
Cultures high in the masculinity dimension focus on achievement,
power, and possessions, regarding work as more central to one’s life,
differing gender roles more than feminine culture. (performance society)

Cultures high in the femininity dimension value interpersonal

relationships, nurturance, compassion, and quality of life.
(welfare society)
 Reference
 https://www.hofstede-insights.com/
 https://clearlycultural.com/
 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Power_distance
 https://hbr.org/2012/04/in-asia-power-gets-in-the-way
 https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Power-Distance-Index-PDI_fig1_308335168
 https://link.springer.com/referenceworkentry/10.1007%2F978-94-007-0753-5_1736
 https://www.andrews.edu/~tidwell/bsad560/HofstedeMasculinity.html
 https://www.managementstudyguide.com/hofstedes-cultural-framework-as-applied-to-china.htm
Questions?
Thank You !!!