Cultural Diversity: A Comparison of Canada and India Based on Hofstede Tool

This article compares the cultural diversity between Canada and India based on Hofstede Tool. It explores the concepts of power distance, masculinity, individualism and uncertainty avoidance. The article also discusses the similarities and differences between the two countries and suggests changes that need to be made while living and working in Canada.

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Cultural diversity is one of the major aspects of each of the countries of the world
measuring on the modern world (Banks, 2015). When comparing Canada and India based on
the aspects of power distance, masculinity, individualism and uncertainty avoidance based on
the Hofstede Tool, the following results has been derived –
(Source – Hofstede-Insights.com 2018)
Power Distance – The concept is related to the amount of power difference that is
there between the most powerful members of the society to the less powerful members of the
society. According to the tool, the power distance of India is higher than Canada signifying
that the society is more formal in India than Canada.
Masculinity – The concept signifies that the society of the country is driven by the
theories of competition, achievement and success (Thompson Jr & Bennett, 2017). India has
a greater level of masculinity level than Canada meaning that patriarchy has a greater role to
play in the country.

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Individualism – Individualism refers to the amount of individual concepts that the
members of the society follows (Kim & Choi, 2014). According to the tool, the level of
individuality is greater to a large extent in Canada than in India as the theory of collectivism
is there in a prominent manner in India than in Canada. The society of Canada is more based
on individual relations and believe in short-term relation status than the long term status
maintained by the society of India.
Uncertainty Avoidance – The amount of threat that the members of the cultures feel
for the organizations and ways that they imply to avoid them is labelled as the level of
uncertainty avoidance. According to the tool, the rate is lower in India than in Canada as the
amount of threat is greater in Indian society than Canada.
The values suggested by the tool for India are somewhat correct, though not
appropriate in every aspect. The society and the culture of India is moving towards the
Western civilization which implies that the amount of problems and traditional mentalities of
the country is being replaced by the Western culture and traditions.
While working in Canada, there are a number of things that are different and same.
The culture and the society are steadily different which implies that both the countries have
their own specializations in terms of the societal and traditional affairs. Moreover, the
countries are widely different in their gender roles and individualism.
The similarity lies in the fact that both the countries have their own set of problems
related to gender affairs and avoidance of uncertain situations. In addition, India is moving
towards the Western culture and civilization making the difference of the countries get
limited with passing time.
While living and working in Canada, there are a number of things that need to be
changed accordingly. The food habits and the mode of living should be changed in the

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manner that should suit the new country and the people. In addition, the weather and power
distance can be a factor in the matter to make the living and sustenance of the people in
Canada possible.

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References
Banks, J. A. (2015). Cultural diversity and education. Routledge.
Hofstede Insights. (2018). Country Comparison - Hofstede Insights. [online] Available at:
https://www.hofstede-insights.com/country-comparison/canada,india/ [Accessed 31
Jul. 2018].
Kim, U., & Choi, S. H. (2014). Individualism, collectivism, and child development. Cross-
cultural roots of minority child development, 227-258.
Thompson Jr, E. H., & Bennett, K. M. (2017). Masculinity ideologies.