BMT 11 Hofstede's cultural dimensions

Geert Hofstede used which organisation to complete his research into cultural dimensions?

• Sony

• HP

• IBM

• Apple

The perceived gap between the top and the bottom of a hierarchy

• Masculinity vs Femininity

• Uncertainty avoidance

• Power distance

• Individualism vs collectivism

The extent to which people prefer rules, routines and rituals

• Masculinity vs Femininity

• Uncertainty avoidance

• Power distance

• Individualism vs collectivism

The levels of competition amongst people in comparison to the levels of teamwork and nurturing

• Masculinity vs Femininity

• Uncertainty avoidance

• Power distance

• Individualism vs collectivism

The degree to which people are focused on their own goals as opposed to meeting objectives better for the group

• Masculinity vs Femininity

• Uncertainty avoidance

• Power distance

• Individualism vs collectivism

Which is one of Hofstede's cultural dimensions?

• Power avoidance

• Long vs short term orientation

• Masculine collectivism

• Dilemma practitioners

Answer explanation

Power avoidance and masculine collectivism are a combination of different terms.

Countries that favour high power distances are more likely to have organisations with

• tall hierarchies

• flat organisation structures

• wide spans of control

• short communication channels

Employees in individualist countries or more likely to be motivated by

• profit related pay

• performance related pay

• job rotation

• teamwork

Answer explanation

Profit related pay, job rotation and teamwork are forms of financial and non-financial motivators that reward success and performance as a group. Performance related pay is more focused on individual performance, such as a bonus.

Employees from countries with low uncertainty avoidance are likely to respond well to a Laissez Faire leadership style

• True

• False

Answer explanation

Low uncertainty avoidance = employees are comfortable with uncertainty and enjoy the freedom to take control and make their own decisions. Therefore, Employees with low uncertainty avoidance will respond well to less-structured leadership (Laissez Faire).

Leaders in countries with high masculine culture are more likely to use a democratic leadership style

• True

• False

Answer explanation

Masculine cultures are power-driven, assertive and competitive. Consensus is not a feature - it is more evident in feminine cultures. Therefore, democratic leadership is less effective in masculine cultures.