Evaluating Hofstede's Cultural Dimensions and Their Influence

This report provides an evaluation of Hofstede's cultural dimensions, focusing on how these dimensions impact human behavior and the achievement of goals and objectives. It delves into the concepts of individualism versus collectivism, high versus low power cultures, uncertainty avoidance, and masculinity versus femininity. The report critically analyzes these dimensions, providing examples of countries that embody each cultural aspect. It argues in favor of collectivist cultures in the modern globalized world, emphasizing their importance in addressing global issues like climate change. Conversely, it critiques masculine and feminine cultures and suggests the need for cultural approaches that are not gender-centric. The report concludes by suggesting that cultures should address global warming, failing economies, and sustainability. It emphasizes the need for countries to work collectively, adopting collectivism over individualism to achieve goals and create a harmonious environment. The report highlights the importance of understanding cultural dimensions for effective leadership and management in today's interconnected world.

STUDY SKILLS

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................1
1. Critical Evaluation..............................................................................................................1
2. Justification ........................................................................................................................2
3. Other suggestions...............................................................................................................2
CONCLUSION ...............................................................................................................................3
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................4

INTRODUCTION
The below report evaluates the Hofstede's cultural dimensions and explores in what ways
the culture impacts the human behaviour and their efforts in achieving desired goals and
objectives (Kim, 2017). The report discusses agreed and disagreed points and makes required
suggestions accordingly.
MAIN BODY
1. Critical Evaluation
The Hofstede's cultural dimensions include individual and collectivism culture identities.
In individual cultural people often believe in following their individual paths and identities
(Brenner, 2018). They believe that their own lifestyles, career decisions, are chosen and selected
by them only. These people are not affected by the collective behaviours and working
capabilities. Individuals tend to set their owns goals and objectives and achieves them
accordingly. The example of the countries which are dominated by individual behaviour includes
United States and most of the European countries (Beugelsdijk, Kostova and Roth, 2017). The
countries which often believes in collective behaviours and cultures which are collectivist works
together for long period of times and their achievements are far reaching as well.
Hofstede's higher power cultures explains a culture which is dominated by high powers
rather than the low ones. These cultures are often owned by rulers, kingships, dominated political
parties etc. The high power cultures tend to transform the countries which they serve in as per
their own decisions and power advantage. The low power cultures are mainly dominated by the
powers such where powers are equally shared between the members and peoples. It allows the
cultures to make used of both of the powers really well and maintain cultural advantage.
Cultures such as uncertainty avoidance explains in what ways the members of the society
responds to ambiguity and uncertainty (Beugelsdijk, Maseland and Van Hoorn, 2015). The
cultures which score on high uncertainty avoidance dimensions avoids risk-taking and thrive into
the advantage which they are a part of. The low uncertainty cultures often are involved in risk-
taking and innovation in order to achieve growth and development.
The other cultures include masculinity and femininity. The cultures associated with these
figures often tend to dominated by either masculine or feminine identities (Torgesen and et.al.,
2018). For example, a masculine dominated culture is often controlled or managed by male
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members of the society whereas the feminine cultures tend to put women as their main roles of
action (Virtanen and Tynjälä, 2018).
2. Justification
Today's working environment which is dominated by nations and countries working with
each other rather than operating individually. It is important that the cultures do so as well. The
culture which I agree with the most is collectivist culture. Collectivist culture is going to allow
the countries and its people to work with each other and understand their needs properly. Also, it
would make it easy for the people to understand their core needs and values on which their
cultures and set desired operates onto. Collectivist culture is the need of 21st century because in
today's world it is important that the people should work together in order to achieve the
collective advantage (Laitinen and Suvas, 2016). In case, when an individual is working as per
its own set needs and developments, it becomes hard for a country or a community to achieve set
goals and objectives. Along with it, our world today is facing big issues such as global warming,
sustainability, etc. It is important that we make sure that enough actions are being taken on these
issues and collective culture and collectivism can ensure that important actions are being taken
not by an individual but a number of people.
The culture which I disagree with the most is masculine and feminine culture. It is
important that we understand the needs and workings to the today's society and make sure that
our cultures are not gender centric. It can allow the equality between the genders to be a part of
the new world and can ensure that none of our cultures decisions and workings are dominated by
gender, sex, and ethnicities. This can allow the cultures, people, organisations, government to be
free and make their decisions accordingly (Hasan and et.al., 2019).
3. Other suggestions
The other suggestions which I'd like to make is that it is important that our cultures
addresses the issues of global warming, failing economies, climate change and sustainability
properly. This can allow the countries in which the cultures are thriving in more safe and growth
oriented. Issues such as global warming and climate change needs to be clearly understood in
order to ensure that these practices are properly being taken into consideration in order to
achieve desired advantages (Kim, 2017). In order to do this, it is important that the cultures and
countries across the world are working collectively in order to achieve set goals.
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To make this possible, it is essential that the cultures adopt the collectivism approach
rather than being individualistic. This approach can prove beneficial for the countries in and its
people as well. Along with it, it can resolve the issues related to global warming, dissipating
economies, sustainability and climate change. It can make the world a better place and can create
a harmonious environment between the countries to achieve their own set goals and objectives.
Also, it can bring enormous amount of growth and advantage to the countries across the world in
order to achieve success and growth. It provides the culture with the advantages of having people
that are supporting an environment which is oriented towards achievement of personal objectives
and set goals respectively (Khlif, 2016).
Along with it, this can make sure that none of the individuals working in the environment
or collectivist cultures are suffering from lack of growth and disadvantage. These efforts can
make sure that the world is a becoming and better place the cultures are creating a better
influence within the people and the economies which they are serving in. The people can benefit
from the set process and cultures efficiently.
CONCLUSION
The above report showcases the importance of Hofstede's cultural dimensions. Brief
discussions are made in order to understand as in what ways cultures such as individualism and
collectivism, masculine/feminine, uncertainty avoidance, high and low powers can influence the
behaviour of the humans. Also, how countries and organisations are impacted by it are explained
briefly. At last, the report puts light on cultures which needs to be in place or the ones which
should not and brief suggestions are made accordingly in the same context.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Beugelsdijk, S., Kostova, T. and Roth, K., 2017. An overview of Hofstede-inspired country-level
culture research in international business since 2006. Journal of International Business
Studies. 48(1). pp.30-47.
Beugelsdijk, S., Maseland, R. and Van Hoorn, A., 2015. Are Scores on H ofstede's Dimensions
of National Culture Stable over Time? A Cohort Analysis. Global Strategy Journal. 5(3).
pp.223-240.
Brenner, C. C., 2018. The effect of graded homework in a high school chemistry classroom
focused on students' longterm retention, study skills, and confidence in the content.
Hasan, R. and et.al., 2019. The activeness, critical, and creative thinking skills of students in the
Lesson Study-based inquiry and cooperative learning. Jurnal Pendidikan Biologi
Indonesia. 5(1).
Khlif, H., 2016. Hofstede’s cultural dimensions in accounting research: a review. Meditari
Accountancy Research. 24(4). pp.545-573.
Kim, S., 2017. National culture and public service motivation: investigating the relationship
using Hofstede’s five cultural dimensions. International Review of Administrative
Sciences. 83(1_suppl). pp.23-40.
Laitinen, E.K. and Suvas, A., 2016. Financial distress prediction in an international context:
Moderating effects of Hofstede’s original cultural dimensions. Journal of Behavioral and
Experimental Finance. 9. pp.98-118.
Torgesen, J. K. and et.al., 2018. Summary of Outcomes from First Grade Study with" Read,
Write, and Type" and" Auditory Discrimination in Depth" Instruction and Software with
At-Risk Children. FCRR Technical Report# 2. Florida Center for Reading Research.
Virtanen, A. and Tynjälä, P., 2018. Factors explaining the learning of generic skills: a study of
university students’ experiences. Teaching in Higher Education. pp.1-15.
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