Cultural differences
You say you wanna re-vo-lu-shun-uhhn, well well you know..
Everything in this post really is just a cut 'n' past job from this site.
Geert Hofstede has spent most of his life examining the way in which the most subtlest of cultural influences affect our lives and our attitudes, both private and professional.
Above all, he wanted to help better understand the implications of dealing with people from different cultures.
I must admit, that he has acted as a consultant in the creation process for a lot of our training programs. This explains the interest that i have for for what he has to say - his site is well worth a bit of a surf, even if it's a bit heavy sometimes.
He examined controlled and matched differences in 60 countries.
This data was then collated and organised to create classement of five different 'dimensions':
Power Distance Index (PDI)
Focuses on the degree of equality, or inequality, between people in the country's society. A High Power Distance ranking indicates that inequalities of power and wealth have been allowed to grow within the society. These societies are more likely to follow a caste system that does not allow significant upward mobility of its citizens. A Low Power Distance ranking indicates the society de-emphasizes the differences between citizen's power and wealth. In these societies equality and opportunity for everyone is stressed.
The world average is 52
The european average is 50
France : Has a PDI of 50
England : has a PDI of 30
America : has a PDI of 35
What in the hell does that mean ?
Look again at the italics : A High Power Distance ranking indicates that inequalities of power and wealth have been allowed to grow within the society // A Low Power Distance ranking indicates the society de-emphasizes the differences between citizen's power and wealth ... it's classic; in France, the rich stay rich and get richer and too bad for the others (which is quite astonishing when we think that France is traditionally considered to be to the left of the political spectrum)
So far so good
Individualism (IDV)
Focuses on the degree the society reinforces individual or collective achievement and interpersonal relationships. A High Individualism ranking indicates that individuality and individual rights are paramount within the society. Individuals in these societies may tend to form a larger number of looser relationships. A Low Individualism ranking typifies societies of a more collectivist nature with close ties between individuals. These cultures reinforce extended families and collectives where everyone takes responsibility for fellow members of their group.
The world average is 40
The european average is 55
France : Has an IDV of 76
England : Has an IDV of 84
America : Has an IDV of 88
A High Individualism ranking indicates that individuality and individual rights are paramount within the society // A Low Individualism ranking typifies societies of a more collectivist nature with close ties between individuals. - compare and contrast the score for France ...
Masculinity (MAS)
Focuses on the degree the society reinforces, or does not reinforce, the traditional masculine work role model of male achievement, control, and power. A High Masculinity ranking indicates the country experiences a high degree of gender differentiation. In these cultures, males dominate a significant portion of the society and power structure, with females being controlled by male domination. A Low Masculinity ranking indicates the country has a low level of differentiation and discrimination between genders. In these cultures, females are treated equally to males in all aspects of the society.
The world average is 48
The european average is 51
France : Has an MAS of 39 (!!)
England : Has an MAS of 61 (!!!)
America : Has an MAS of 58
A High Masculinity ranking indicates the country experiences a high degree of gender differentiation //A Low Masculinity ranking indicates the country has a low level of differentiation and discrimination between genders. .. bwouahahaha, wotchoo lookin' at England :-)
Uncertainty Avoidance Index (UAI)
Focuses on the level of tolerance for uncertainty and ambiguity within the society - i.e. unstructured situations. A High Uncertainty Avoidance ranking indicates the country has a low tolerance for uncertainty and ambiguity. This creates a rule-oriented society that institutes laws, rules, regulations, and controls in order to reduce the amount of uncertainty. A Low Uncertainty Avoidance ranking indicates the country has less concern about ambiguity and uncertainty and has more tolerance for a variety of opinions. This is reflected in a society that is less rule-oriented, more readily accepts change, and takes more and greater risks.
The world average is 61
The european average is 69
France : Has a UAI of 80 (!!!)
England : Has a UAI of 30
America : Has a UAI of 41
A High Uncertainty Avoidance ranking indicates the country has a low tolerance for uncertainty and ambiguity // A Low Uncertainty Avoidance ranking indicates the country has less concern about ambiguity and uncertainty and has more tolerance for a variety of opinions. ... this is the killer for me. When i deal with Anglo-saxons, everything is cut and dried, mechanical and easy. With the French, however, they need to be constantly reassured -" but are you sure it will really work for me ?".
Long-Term Orientation (LTO)
Focuses on the degree the society embraces, or does not embrace, long-term devotion to traditional, forward thinking values. High Long-Term Orientation ranking indicates the country prescribes to the values of long-term commitments and respect for tradition. This is thought to support a strong work ethic where long-term rewards are expected as a result of today's hard work. However, business may take longer to develop in this society, particularly for an "outsider". A Low Long-Term Orientation ranking indicates the country does not reinforce the concept of long-term, traditional orientation. In this culture, change can occur more rapidly as long-term traditions and commitments do not become impediments to change.
The world average is 41
The european average is - no score
France : Has an LTO of - no score
England : Has an LTO of 20
America : Has an LTO of 22
High Long-Term Orientation ranking indicates the country prescribes to the values of long-term commitments and respect for tradition // A Low Long-Term Orientation ranking indicates the country does not reinforce the concept of long-term, traditional orientation ... live fast, die young and stay good looking ;-))
But the interesting thing here is that when we consider the past and current 'unrest' over here, it becomes more and more apparent that the revolting students (i just had to find a way to get that one in), are really being motivated by - unseen - values handed down from generation to generation :
A low tolerance for uncertainty and ambiguity: leave things as they are, if it ain't broke don't fix it etc.
The idea that individual rights are paramount within the society: "you can't treat me like a piece of doggy doo-doo, mister man", but with a bit of collective, anarchic, activism thrown in: "if you do that, i'll get me mates onti ya".
Finally that inequalities of power and wealth are percieved to have been allowed to grow within the society - "let them eat brioche" - this one here is as old as the ark ...
Everything in this post really is just a cut 'n' past job from this site.
Geert Hofstede has spent most of his life examining the way in which the most subtlest of cultural influences affect our lives and our attitudes, both private and professional.
Above all, he wanted to help better understand the implications of dealing with people from different cultures.
I must admit, that he has acted as a consultant in the creation process for a lot of our training programs. This explains the interest that i have for for what he has to say - his site is well worth a bit of a surf, even if it's a bit heavy sometimes.
He examined controlled and matched differences in 60 countries.
This data was then collated and organised to create classement of five different 'dimensions':
Power Distance Index (PDI)
Focuses on the degree of equality, or inequality, between people in the country's society. A High Power Distance ranking indicates that inequalities of power and wealth have been allowed to grow within the society. These societies are more likely to follow a caste system that does not allow significant upward mobility of its citizens. A Low Power Distance ranking indicates the society de-emphasizes the differences between citizen's power and wealth. In these societies equality and opportunity for everyone is stressed.
The world average is 52
The european average is 50
France : Has a PDI of 50
England : has a PDI of 30
America : has a PDI of 35
What in the hell does that mean ?
Look again at the italics : A High Power Distance ranking indicates that inequalities of power and wealth have been allowed to grow within the society // A Low Power Distance ranking indicates the society de-emphasizes the differences between citizen's power and wealth ... it's classic; in France, the rich stay rich and get richer and too bad for the others (which is quite astonishing when we think that France is traditionally considered to be to the left of the political spectrum)
So far so good
Individualism (IDV)
Focuses on the degree the society reinforces individual or collective achievement and interpersonal relationships. A High Individualism ranking indicates that individuality and individual rights are paramount within the society. Individuals in these societies may tend to form a larger number of looser relationships. A Low Individualism ranking typifies societies of a more collectivist nature with close ties between individuals. These cultures reinforce extended families and collectives where everyone takes responsibility for fellow members of their group.
The world average is 40
The european average is 55
France : Has an IDV of 76
England : Has an IDV of 84
America : Has an IDV of 88
A High Individualism ranking indicates that individuality and individual rights are paramount within the society // A Low Individualism ranking typifies societies of a more collectivist nature with close ties between individuals. - compare and contrast the score for France ...
Masculinity (MAS)
Focuses on the degree the society reinforces, or does not reinforce, the traditional masculine work role model of male achievement, control, and power. A High Masculinity ranking indicates the country experiences a high degree of gender differentiation. In these cultures, males dominate a significant portion of the society and power structure, with females being controlled by male domination. A Low Masculinity ranking indicates the country has a low level of differentiation and discrimination between genders. In these cultures, females are treated equally to males in all aspects of the society.
The world average is 48
The european average is 51
France : Has an MAS of 39 (!!)
England : Has an MAS of 61 (!!!)
America : Has an MAS of 58
A High Masculinity ranking indicates the country experiences a high degree of gender differentiation //A Low Masculinity ranking indicates the country has a low level of differentiation and discrimination between genders. .. bwouahahaha, wotchoo lookin' at England :-)
Uncertainty Avoidance Index (UAI)
Focuses on the level of tolerance for uncertainty and ambiguity within the society - i.e. unstructured situations. A High Uncertainty Avoidance ranking indicates the country has a low tolerance for uncertainty and ambiguity. This creates a rule-oriented society that institutes laws, rules, regulations, and controls in order to reduce the amount of uncertainty. A Low Uncertainty Avoidance ranking indicates the country has less concern about ambiguity and uncertainty and has more tolerance for a variety of opinions. This is reflected in a society that is less rule-oriented, more readily accepts change, and takes more and greater risks.
The world average is 61
The european average is 69
France : Has a UAI of 80 (!!!)
England : Has a UAI of 30
America : Has a UAI of 41
A High Uncertainty Avoidance ranking indicates the country has a low tolerance for uncertainty and ambiguity // A Low Uncertainty Avoidance ranking indicates the country has less concern about ambiguity and uncertainty and has more tolerance for a variety of opinions. ... this is the killer for me. When i deal with Anglo-saxons, everything is cut and dried, mechanical and easy. With the French, however, they need to be constantly reassured -" but are you sure it will really work for me ?".
Long-Term Orientation (LTO)
Focuses on the degree the society embraces, or does not embrace, long-term devotion to traditional, forward thinking values. High Long-Term Orientation ranking indicates the country prescribes to the values of long-term commitments and respect for tradition. This is thought to support a strong work ethic where long-term rewards are expected as a result of today's hard work. However, business may take longer to develop in this society, particularly for an "outsider". A Low Long-Term Orientation ranking indicates the country does not reinforce the concept of long-term, traditional orientation. In this culture, change can occur more rapidly as long-term traditions and commitments do not become impediments to change.
The world average is 41
The european average is - no score
France : Has an LTO of - no score
England : Has an LTO of 20
America : Has an LTO of 22
High Long-Term Orientation ranking indicates the country prescribes to the values of long-term commitments and respect for tradition // A Low Long-Term Orientation ranking indicates the country does not reinforce the concept of long-term, traditional orientation ... live fast, die young and stay good looking ;-))
But the interesting thing here is that when we consider the past and current 'unrest' over here, it becomes more and more apparent that the revolting students (i just had to find a way to get that one in), are really being motivated by - unseen - values handed down from generation to generation :
A low tolerance for uncertainty and ambiguity: leave things as they are, if it ain't broke don't fix it etc.
The idea that individual rights are paramount within the society: "you can't treat me like a piece of doggy doo-doo, mister man", but with a bit of collective, anarchic, activism thrown in: "if you do that, i'll get me mates onti ya".
Finally that inequalities of power and wealth are percieved to have been allowed to grow within the society - "let them eat brioche" - this one here is as old as the ark ...
posted by Damiel | 10:22 PM
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