Hofstede Dimensions of Culture

Hofstede Dimensions of Culture

By Caitlin Kelly

Mexico in comparison to Canada

Uncertainty Avoidance

Masculility

Individualism

Long Term Orientation

• How cultures adapt to change
• Mexico scores 82 on this dimension and therefore has a very high preference for avoiding uncertainty
• In these cultures there is an emotional need for rules time is money, people have an inner urge to be busy and work hard, precision and punctuality are the norm, innovation may be resisted, security is an important element in individual motivation

• A high score (Masculine) on this dimension indicates that the society will be driven by competition, achievement and success
• A low score (Feminine) on the dimension means that the dominant values in society are caring for others and quality of life
• Mexico scores 69 and is therefore is a Masculine society. In Masculine countries people “live in order to work”, managers are expected to be decisive and assertive, the emphasis is on equity, competition and performance and conflicts are resolved by fighting them out.

• Individualism refers to the extent to which people are expected to make their own decisions
• With a score of 30 is considered a collectivistic society. People keep a close long-term commitment to the family.
• Loyalty in a collectivist culture is more important than anything else, and over-rides most other societal rules and regulations.
• Everyone takes responsibility for fellow members of their family.
• In collectivist societies offence leads to shame and loss of face, employer/employee relationships are perceived in, hiring and promotion decisions take account of the employee’s family, management is the management of family.

Power Distance

• How every society has to maintain some links with its own past while dealing with the challenges of the present and future
• The relatively low score of 24 means that the Mexican culture is normal.
• People in this society have a strong concern with establishing the absolute Truth
• They exhibit great respect for traditions, a relatively small propensity to save for the future, and a focus on achieving quick results.

• Power distance is a measure of how the difference in power between people is perceived
• With a score of 81, Mexico is a hierarchical society
• This means that people accept a hierarchical order where everybody has a place
• Hierarchy keeps organization and people expect to be told what to do