Cultures and Organizations:
Software of the Mind
By Geert HofstedePresented by:
Natalie Balaziuk, Beth Roszkowski, Michelle Yeager
Hofstede’s Background Born in Netherlands in
1928 Founded and managed
the Personnel Research Department of IBM Europe
Co-founder of IRIC (Institute for Research on Intercultural Cooperation
Most cited non-American in the field of Management in the US Social Sciences Citation Index
Software of the Mind 101 Hofstede’s intent Mental Programs: Software of the
Mind Three levels of Mental Programs What does this mean? Memory and Forgetting
(Knowledge Structures)
StudiesIBM Study
Conducted in 1974
IBM employees-50 countries and 3 multicountry regions
National Cultures Dimensions
IRIC Study Conducted 1985-
1987 20 organizational
units in 2 countries
Organizational Culture
Dimensions
Dimensions of National Culture Power Distance Individualism vs. Collectivism Masculinity vs. Femininity Uncertainty Avoidance Confucian Dynamism (Long-term
orientation vs. Short-term orientation)
Power Distance
Large Power Distance
Employees afraid of bosses
Depend on their bosses
Large emotional distance
Small Power Distance
Approach and challenge bosses
Bosses consult with staff
Small emotional distance
Individualism vs. Collectivism
Individualism Interests of the
individual outweigh the interests of the group
Individual is independent
One must look after himself/herself
Collectivism Interests of the
group outweigh the interests of the individual
Group is one’s identity
Group=protection
Individualism vs. Collectivism (Ranking)
Individualism Personal time Freedom Challenge
Collectivism Training Physical
conditions Use of skills
Masculinity vs. Femininity
Masculinity Social gender roles
are defined Men are assertive &
tough Women are modest
& concerned with quality of life
High difference between the genders
Femininity Social gender roles
overlap Men and women are
both modest & concerned with quality of life
Little difference between genders
Masculinity vs. Femininity (Ranking)
Masculinity Earnings Recognition Advancement Challenge
Femininity Manager Cooperation Living area Employment
security
Uncertainty Avoidance
Strong uncertainty avoidance vs. Weak uncertainty avoidance
Uncertainty avoidance Risk avoidance
Unique coping mechanisms Stress among men and women
Confucian Dynamism AKA- long-term vs. short-term
orientation 5th dimension revealed through
another study- Chinese value survey (CVS)
Administered to 100 students in 23 countries
Findings of study Related to economic growth
Confucian Dynamism (Ratings)Long-term orientation Persistence Ordering relationships
by status and observing this order
Thrift Having a sense of
shame =High economic
growth
Short-term orientation Personal steadiness
and stability Protecting one’s “face” Respect for tradition Reciprocation of
greetings, favors, and gifts
=Less economic growth
IRIC Study IBM vs. IRIC National Values vs. Organizational
Practices Organizational Practices as
“Communities of Practice”
Dimensions of Organizational Practice
Process-Oriented vs. Results-Oriented
Employee-Oriented vs. Job-Oriented Parochial vs. Professional Open System vs. Closed System Loose Control vs. Tight Control Pragmatic vs. Normative
Practical Implications of IRIC Findings
Structural Changes Process Changes Personnel Changes Cultural Training
Critiques
Positive Well reviewed Hofstede
succeeds in his main goal
Timely publication of Culture’s Consequences
Negative Limits of study Sweeping
generalizations Western bias IRIC study-
criticisms
Discussion Where do you think the United States ranks
among the five dimensions of national culture? Do you think national values can change over
time? What are the practical implications of these
findings? Do you think that increasing globalization and
advancements in technology will lead to a narrower spectrum of national values?
Is it possible for someone to identify with more than one national culture?
Sources Consulted:Bing, John W. (2004). Hofstede’s consequences: The impact of his work on
consulting and business practices. Academy of Management Executive, 18 (1), 80-87.
Hofstede, Geert. (1991). Cultures & organizations: Software of the mind:
Intercultural cooperation and its importance for survival. New York: McGraw-Hill.
Hofstede, Geert. Geert Hofstede about himself. (n.d.) Retrieved November
2004 from http://spitswww.uvt.nl/web/iric/hofstede/index.htm Hoppe, Michael H. (2004). An interview with Geert Hofstede. Academy of
Management Executive, 18 (1), 75-79. International Business Center. Geert Hofstede. (n.d.) Retrieve November
2004 from http://geert-hofstede.international-business-center.com/
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