This lesson explains what culture is, why it matters in international management, and how Hofstede’s framework helps compare national cultures.
Geert Hofstede, a Dutch social psychologist, described culture as “the collective programming of the mind which distinguishes the members of one group or category of people from another.” Culture influences how people interpret the world and what they consider appropriate or unacceptable.
All flashcards
What is culture according to Hofstede?
Culture is the collective programming of the mind that distinguishes members of one group or category from another. It influences shared expectations, values, and ideas about appropriate behavior.
Why does culture matter in international management?
Different cultural expectations can cause misunderstandings across national boundaries. Cultural awareness helps managers interpret behavior, communicate, and adapt their approach.
What is an expatriate?
An expatriate is an employee who moves to another country and works there for an extended period.
How was Hofstede’s original framework developed?
It drew primarily on research into work-related values and beliefs, including surveys of more than 88,000 employees in IBM subsidiaries across 72 countries.
What is power distance?
It is the degree to which members of a society accept differences in power and authority.
Quiz questions
How did Hofstede define culture?Answer: As shared mental programming that distinguishes one group from another.
What is an expatriate?Answer: An employee who relocates to another country for extended work.
Which set contains the four Hofstede dimensions covered here?Answer: Power distance, individualism, uncertainty avoidance, and masculinity.
A negotiating team interprets a host’s interest in social conversation as reluctance to do business. What might cultural understanding help the team recognize?Answer: Relationship-building may be an important step before concluding a deal.
How should managers use Hofstede’s cultural dimensions?Answer: As guides to broad patterns, while checking the preferences of individuals.
Based on Principles of Management by David S. Bright, Anastasia H. Cortes, Eva Hartmann, K. Praveen Parboteeah, Jon L. Pierce, Monique Reece, Amit Shah, Siri Terjesen, Joseph Weiss, Margaret A. White, Donald G. Gardner, Jason Lambert et al. (OpenStax), licensed CC BY 4.0. Adapted into a summary, flashcards and quizzes.