Culture

Hofstede’s Four Cultural Dimensions

Geert Hofstede’s four core dimensions as stated below are very constructive to illustrate the culture at the workplace in China and India.

i. Power Distance Dimension

ii. Individualism vs. Collectivism Dimension

iii. Masculinity vs. Feminity Dimension

iv. Uncertainty Avoidance Dimension

Power Distance Dimensions

This dimension expresses the attitude of the culture towards the power inequality among the individual. It is also defined as the extents to which are the less powerful members of institutions and organizations within a country expect and accept that power is distributed unequally. China holds the high rank in this dimension where the society believes that inequalities amongst the community are acceptable. For instance, there is no any form of defensive system against power abuse by superiors. In China, an individual should not have aspirations beyond their rank because their capacities in leadership and initiative are influenced by the formal authority. Hence, the relationship between the subordinate and the superior tend to be very polarized.

In India they value more for hierarchy and a Top-Down structure either in society or organizations which do not make much different compare to China. Here, one should be dependent on the power-holder for direction. The managers count on the obedience of their team members meanwhile the real power is centralized even though it may not appear to be. The communication is directive and top down added together with the negative feedback which they never been offered up the corporate ladder.

Individualism versus Collectivism Dimension

This dimension addresses issue of the degree of interdependence a society maintains among its members. Individualism is the measure of the degree to which society expects people to take care of themselves and their immediate families. Where else, collectivism refers to tight social framework in which group such as family and...