South Korean Culture

Rev. Integr. Bus. Econ. Res. Vol 2(1)

535

Culture Dimensions Comparison: A Study of Malaysia and South Korea Shirley Ken Tzu Ting Universiti Tenaga National kayllnt@yahoo.com Cheah Yeh Ying Universiti Tenaga National Christine@uniten.edu.my

ABSTRACT This study intends to shed some lights in Malaysian and South Koreans cultural dimensions. Second, this study intend to expand Hofstede’ study by studying work-related cultural values in the multi-business setting. Results showed that there are changes for Malaysia in power distance and uncertainty avoidance cultural dimension. Meanwhile South Korea has changes in masculinity cultural dimension. The results of this study have brought significant insights to the business settings field in the organizational context. Keywords: Hofstede’s cultural dimension, Malaysia, South Korea.

1.0

Introductions

Despite suffering from one of the deepest recession in recent history, Asia is leading the global recovery. As an emerging and developing markets, Asia managed to rebound swiftly and has been a strong economic performer the past several years (IMF, 2010). Asia is expected to continue to shape the world economy in an era of increasing globalization. Despite the staggering reports regarding population and developments, home a number of risks and challenges not experienced in developed markets, Asia still consider a window of opportunity for many business minds. Many are eyeing Asia region due to unique cultures and economies in varying stages of development. 2.0 Cultural B ackgrounds

Malaysia Malaysia has been one of the best economics records in Asia, with GDP growing an average 6.5 percent annually from 1957 to 2005. In 2011, Malaysia’s GDP was about $450 billion, making Malaysia the third largest economy in ASEAN and twenty ninth largest in the world. Malaysia is of interest of many investors not only because it is a developing country but because there is considerable division based on race, ethnicity and...