Geert Hofstede is professor emeritus of Organizational Anthropology and International Management at Maastricht University. His book “Culture's Consequences. Comparing Values, Behaviors, Institutions, and Organizations across nations” is a revision of his earlier book titled “Culture's Consequences, International Differences in Work-Related Values”, which was released by Sage in 1980.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction to Cultural Issues
2. Methodological Justification and Data-Collection Process
3. Power Distance and Societal Acceptance
4. Society's Tolerance for Uncertainty and Ambiguity
5. Individualism versus Self-Reliance
6. Masculine versus Feminine Attitudes
7. Long-term and Short-term Orientation
8. Consequences of Cultural Differentiation
8.1 Management and Organizational Matters
8.2 Influence on Migration, Politics, and Business
9. Research Experiences and Future Directions
Research Objectives and Themes
The primary objective of this literature review is to critically examine Geert Hofstede's "Culture's Consequences," analyzing its methodology, theoretical framework regarding cultural dimensions, and its practical implications for international management and cross-cultural studies.
- Evaluation of Hofstede's five cultural dimensions
- Critique of the IBM Attitude Survey Questionnaire methodology
- Analysis of the impact of globalization on cultural stability
- Discussion on the limitations of national-level cultural research
- Assessment of the book's relevance for modern business environments
Excerpt from the Book
Literature review: Hofstede, Geert H. Culture's Consequences. Comparing Values, Behaviors, Institutions, and Organizations across nations. Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications, 2001.
Geert Hofstede is professor emeritus of Organizational Anthropology and International Management at Maastricht University. His book “Culture's Consequences. Comparing Values, Behaviors, Institutions, and Organizations across nations” is a revision of his earlier book titled “Culture's Consequences, International Differences in Work-Related Values”, which was released by Sage in 1980. This book has been one of the most influential works in the field of cross-cultural marketing and social studies, but it has also been immensely criticized. His new book is a almost completely rewritten version and dated material has been removed.
Further, Hofstede increased the number of analyzed countries and new literature has been taken into account. His first chapter introduces into the topic and informs about general cultural issues, studying culture and cultural change. He defines culture as “the collective programming of the mind that distinguishes the members of one group or category of people from another” (p. 9). The second chapter provides a methodological justification and describes the data-collection process.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction to Cultural Issues: Provides an overview of general cultural concepts and defines culture as a collective programming of the mind.
2. Methodological Justification and Data-Collection Process: Details the research design and the origins of the data utilized in the study.
3. Power Distance and Societal Acceptance: Examines how different societies accept and distribute power across organizations and families.
4. Society's Tolerance for Uncertainty and Ambiguity: Explores how cultures manage the unknown and the desire for structured environments.
5. Individualism versus Self-Reliance: Compares the tendency of societies to favor group integration versus individual autonomy.
6. Masculine versus Feminine Attitudes: Analyzes the preference of societies regarding tough or tender social values.
7. Long-term and Short-term Orientation: Discusses the temporal perspective of cultures regarding future and past orientations.
8. Consequences of Cultural Differentiation: Outlines the practical impacts of cultural differences on business, politics, and management.
9. Research Experiences and Future Directions: Offers the author's personal insights and suggestions for future research pathways.
Keywords
Culture, Hofstede, Cross-Cultural Management, Value Systems, Power Distance, Uncertainty Avoidance, IBM Survey, Globalization, Organizational Behavior, Cultural Dimensions, Methodology, Social Anthropology, Migration, Marketing, National Identity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core subject of the work?
The work is a critical review of Geert Hofstede's seminal book on how national cultural differences influence values, behaviors, and organizational structures.
What are the primary thematic areas covered?
The central themes include the five cultural dimensions, the influence of corporate culture versus national culture, and the practical application of cultural data in global business.
What is the primary research objective?
The review aims to evaluate the validity and impact of Hofstede's research, specifically addressing its strengths, criticisms, and ongoing relevance in a globalized world.
What research methodology is examined?
The review analyzes the "IBM Attitude Survey Questionnaire," a quantitative survey conducted among international employees during the 1960s and 1970s.
What is addressed in the main body of the work?
The body covers the theoretical dimensions of culture, critical analysis of the data sources, the debate regarding cultural stability versus change, and the practical implications for management.
Which keywords best characterize this review?
Key terms include cultural dimensions, cross-cultural studies, IBM survey, globalization, and organizational management.
How does the author view the limitations of the data?
The author highlights that the data reflects IBM's corporate culture as much as national differences and notes the absence of significant data for many African and Arabic nations.
How does Hofstede respond to the criticisms of his work?
Hofstede acknowledges the limitations of his approach but views the work as a paradigm-shifting starting point for future cross-cultural research.
- Citation du texte
- Saskia Guckenburg (Auteur), 2011, Literature review: Hofstede, Geert H. Culture's Consequences. Comparing Values, Behaviors, Institutions, and Organizations across nations. , Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/191988
