Comparative Analysis: Saudi Arabia and Germany - Cultural Differences

This report provides a comparative analysis of the cultures of Saudi Arabia and Germany, focusing on the application of Hofstede's cultural dimensions model. It explores key differences across several dimensions, including power distance, individualism versus collectivism, masculinity versus femininity, uncertainty avoidance, long-term orientation, and indulgence. The analysis highlights the significant differences in societal structures, values, and behaviors between the two countries, such as the hierarchical structure and collectivist nature of Saudi Arabian society versus the more individualistic and pragmatic German society. The report also examines the implications of these cultural differences in areas such as business practices, social norms, and attitudes toward change and innovation. It concludes by emphasizing the importance of understanding these cultural nuances for effective cross-cultural interactions and international business practices. The report references Hofstede Insights and other sources to support its findings.

SOCIOLOGY
CULTURAL COMPARISON BETWEEN SAUDI ARABIA AND GERMANY
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Introduction
With the enhanced globalised business practices, increasing number of organisations are
aiming at capturing new markets as much as possible. The capturing of the new markets calls
for the interaction with different cultures and environments. Hence, the familiarity of the
cultures is essential for the organisations not only from the point of view of the customers, in
context of the design of products but also from the point of employees and other stakeholders.
The following work is aimed at comparing the cultures of Saudi Arabia and Germany in
context of the Hofstede culture model and dimensions stated therein.
Saudi Arabia and Germany: Cultural Comparison
Hofstede (2011) stated the definition of culture as the “collective programming of the mind of
one group or category of people to distinguish them from others.” The Hofstede model is one
of the significant models that facilitate the cultural comparison between the two countries.
The comparison of Saudi Arabia and Germany as per the various dimensions of the said
model is presented as follows.
(Source: Hofstede Insights, 2019)
Power Distance: In terms of the power distance dimension, Saudi Arabia has significant
appreciation of hierarchy and the top-down structure in society as well as the organizations as

compared to Germany. This means that the individuals in a Saudi Arabian society are more
dependent on directions, everybody has a decided place in the society and there are no further
justifications (International Business Centre, 2019). The existence of monarchy in power in
Saudi Arabia is one of the chief reasons for the same, absence of strong voices of the citizens
and the rules of land decided by the Kings and the Koran.
Individualism vs. Collectivism: The said dimension demonstrates the interdependence of
the members of the society on each other. Saudi Arabia is a collectivist society. A great value
is placed in the Saudi Arabian society not only in terms of the physical family, but also in
terms of the spiritual family. In contrast to the above, the German society is an Individualist
one with characteristics of small families and idea of self-actualization. The above facts are
an illustration that the German society holds a string belief in equality and provision of
opportunity for each citizen of the country irrespective of the gender. In addition, there is a
sense of acceptance of change and adaptation to it rapidly.
Masculinity vs. Feminity: Saudi Arabia society has one of the largest known male and
female gaps among the world. The life of women in Saudi Arabia is very restricted, in terms
of the servitude to the male, dress code, restrictions in marriage and others. It must be further
noted that the consequence of the violating the long stated sex-based roles are strongly
punished in the Saudi Arabian culture. The German culture is also driven by masculinity but
not as much as that of Saudi Arabia. The German society is driven by materialism, individual
achievements, and display of power.
Uncertainty avoidance: A high level of uncertainty avoidance can be seen in the Saudi
Arabian culture, comprised of the conservative attitude, rules, laws, and policies that is
restrictive of the freedoms and change. Germany has a slightly low score for the uncertainty
avoidance which matches with the average world index and the societies therein are
characterised by comprehensive legal system and organised structures.
Long Term Orientation: As seen in the previous parts, Saudi Arabia holds a rigid societal
system of beliefs and behaviour. Thus, an intolerance can be seen of behaviour that is
unorthodox together with the resistance for the innovation. In contrast to this, a high score of
Germany is indicative of the fact that the society is pragmatic with a strong adaptation
towards the change and perseverance of development and the achievement of the results.
Indulgence: There is an average score for indulgence in the Saudi Arabian society, with no
clear demonstration of the particular preference. However, with more money concentrated in

the upper class of the Saudi Arabian society, the same must be engaged in socialization as
opposed to women and other sections of the society. In contrast to this, the German society
has a low score of 40 which is indicative of the restrained society in nature. Not much
emphasis is laid on the leisure time and the ideas and positioning of the people are in
alignment with the social norms. Not much indulgence or the socialization in the society is
evident from the score of the Germany.
Conclusion
The discussions conducted in the previous parts enable to conclude that there lies strong
differences in the cultural values of Saudi Arabia and Germany in terms of the orthodox
beliefs and restrictions in the former and pragmatism, development and yet controlled
indulgence in the latter. A strong sense of rigidity of beliefs in Saudi Arabia is quite evident
in the said society.

References
Hofstede Insights (2019) What about Saudi Arabia? [online] Available from:
https://www.hofstede-insights.com/country-comparison/germany,saudi-arabia/ [Accessed on:
08/08/2019].
Hofstede, G. (2011) Dimensionalizing cultures: The Hofstede model in context. Online
readings in psychology and culture, 2(1), p .8.
International Business Centre (2019) Saudi Arabia Business Etiquette & Culture. [online]
Available from: https://www.cyborlink.com/besite/saudi-arabia.htm [Accessed on:
08/08/2019].
Mellahi, K., Elamin, A. M. and Omair, K. (2010) Males' attitudes towards working females
in Saudi Arabia. Personnel review. 39 (6), pp. 746-766.
https://doi.org/10.1108/00483481011075594