Study Skills for Higher Study Assignment (GC02016)

Table of Contents

Introduction.

Suggestions on Hofstede’s cultural dimensions.

Agreement and disagreement

Make other suggestions.

Conclusion.

References.

Introduction

According to Zimmermann (2015), the term culture indicates the people’s attitude and behavior in a certain circumstance. Culture is created through the combination of people’s language and behavior in a society or a country. In this paper; the necessity of four cultural dimensions of Hofstede is mentioned. The recommendations on Hofstede’s culture are also presented. Thirdly; the justification of Hofstede’s culture is presented in this paper.

Suggestions on Hofstede’s cultural dimensions

In the article, it is mentioned that there are four dimensions of culture that play a vital role in the field of cross-cultural communication. This theory is developed by Hofstede (Klaes, 2016). The first dimension is power distance; the second one is individualism-collectivism, the third one is masculinity-femininity, and the final one is uncertainty avoidance.

According to Klaes (2016), power distance in the culture represents the differences between high power and low power people and it seems that power is not allocated equally. It indicates that some people in the society hold more power but some hold less power (Sarjoon and Othman, 2016). According to this dimension; it is easy to find the power differences among the people who live and work in the society or organization. This culture helps the business firms to define the power of the different people and helps to make quick and appropriate decisions on the functions of the firm (Laurel, 2015)

According to Klaes (2016), Individualism-collectivism culture indicates the personal view of the people and the combination view of people. In the case of individualism culture, people feel free and share their own feelings without any hesitation. But in the collectivist cultural dimension, people have gained a lower level of equality (Kodikara, 2017). Both dimensions are necessary for running the business functions.

According to Klaes (2016), Masculinity-femininity refers that some people love heroism but some prefer cooperation and caring. According to the culture of Masculinity, society’s power is based on heroism and activeness for gaining the actualization needs of the people. But, femininity refers to the society is based on cooperation and caring for gaining actualization needs of the people (Jennifer, 2016). The male and female of masculine culture are very concerned for the career but feminine culture’s male and female take it an optional matter. In masculine culture, females are not involved and the people of a feminine culture feel less respect than that of masculine culture.

According to Klaes (2016), the uncertainty-avoidance culture demonstrates that people are always risk-averse and they are not feeling good in the condition of uncertainty. In the case of business fields; a higher level of uncertainty avoidance reduces the employees’ turnover rate and vice versa (Laurel, 2015). Additionally; lower level avoidance of uncertainty has some informal regulations but high avoidance has more formal regulations.

Agreement and disagreement

Laurel (2015) stated that the global business consists of several cultures at which business firms must understand the culture dimensions for running a smooth business in the international area. In the case of the international business platforms; Hofstede’s dimensions influence not only in positive ways but also negative ways.

Power distance in the culture indicates that some people in the society hold more power but some hold less power (Klaes, 2016). Laurel (2015) stated that international business needs to understand this culture to find the power differences among the people who live and work in the society or organization easily. In addition; international firms can define the power of the different people as well as make quick and appropriate decisions on the basis of political and social power differences among the people.

According to Laurel (2015), stated that international business is also affected by the Individualism-collectivism culture. This culture indicates the personal view of the people and the combination view of people (Kodikara, 2017). In the business firm; the collectivist culture is important because people are working in the business firms jointly and achieving the goals of the business.

International business is influenced by the masculinity-femininity culture because both cultures have represented the differences between the social and organizational power of males and females. Jennifer (2016) stated that academic quality is the main consideration in masculinity culture and social adjustment is the main consideration in femininity culture. In global business; social adjustment is very necessary for understanding the actual expectations of people. That is why; femininity culture is accepted in global business.

According to Zimmermann (2015), the uncertainty-avoidance culture mentions that people are feeling comfortable in a certain condition, not in uncertain conditions. The international business needs to consider it because a lower level of uncertainty avoidance increases the employees’ turnover rate, as well as higher-level avoidance, reduces it. Laurel (2015) stated that international business accepts a higher level of uncertainty avoidance because it needs more formal rules and employee retention that have positive effects.

Make other suggestions

Firms can follow other dimensions for attaining higher growth of business along with Hofstede’s dimensions. In addition; business organizations are entering the international market with new cultural considerations. Jennifer (2016) recommended that business firms need to manage various environmental factors for eliminating threats and challenges. For this reason; firms should apply the long as well as short orientation plan along with the indulgence-restraint dimensions for eliminating threats and challenges and for best outcomes. In the case of long-run orientation, business firms should take the considerations for the best quality but short-run orientation connects with the absolute validity of the outcomes. Additionally; the indulgence-restraint culture factor indicates the process of controlling the firms’ actions for better outcomes (Mullins, 2014).

Conclusion

From the discussion of the paper; the cultural meaning has been identified. The requirements of cultural dimensions of Hofstede’s in overseas businesses cannot be ignored because the business firms have to manage several workforces and environments for continuing business activities smoothly. It has been noticed that Hofstede’s dimensions have included four issues including power distance; individualism vs. collectivism; masculinity vs. femininity, as well as uncertainty avoidance. These issues not only influence in positive ways but also negative ways the functions of international business.

HND in Education