Hofstede’s Cultural Dimensions
What is the dimension that measures how much a culture accepts unequal power distribution?
Power Distance
What is the cultural dimension that measures how rules and standards are applied uniformly across a society?
Universalism
What country's respondents perceived the lowest risk in financial options?
China
What is McSweeney’s primary critique of Hofstede’s methodology?
That Hofstede’s data, derived from a single corporation (IBM), reflects corporate culture rather than national culture.
What is the primary goal of cross-cultural management?
To effectively navigate and leverage cultural differences in global business environments.
Which cultures prioritize personal goals and individual achievement over group harmony?
Individualistic cultures
What term describes cultures that prioritize personal relationships and context over universal rules?
Particularism
What four countries did the study examine risk preferences for ?
USA, China, Germany, and Poland
How does McSweeney describe Hofstede’s cultural dimensions in terms of flexibility?
He argues that they are overly static and fail to account for the dynamic and evolving nature of cultural behaviors.
How does individualism versus collectivism influence team dynamics in cross-cultural management?
Individualistic cultures prioritize personal achievements, while collectivist cultures emphasize group harmony and collaboration.
What does high uncertainty avoidance indicate about a culture's attitude toward change and risk?
It indicates a preference for stability, rules, and avoiding uncertainty.
How many countries did this paper include data from?
43
According to the "cushion hypothesis", what cultural dimension explains why some cultures perceive lower financial risks?
collectivism
According to McSweeney, what is a major limitation of using fixed dimensions to study culture?
Fixed dimensions oversimplify cultural complexity and ignore intra-country cultural variability.
What is a common challenge in managing high power distance cultures?
Ensuring open communication and fostering employee participation despite hierarchical structures.
What is the key difference between long-term and short-term orientation in cultural values?
Long-term orientation focuses on future rewards, while short-term orientation prioritizes immediate outcomes.
The questionnaire used in this study was largely based on cultural "pattern variables" identified by two researchers. Who were they?
Talcott Parsons and Edward A. Shils
What statistical technique was used to analyze the relationship between expected value, perceived risk, and willingness-to-pay?
Regression analysis
What alternative approach does McSweeney suggest for studying cultural differences?
He advocates for a more contextual and situational approach that accounts for social, economic, and institutional factors.
What is the significance of cultural adaptability in cross-cultural leadership?
It enables leaders to tailor their management style to fit the cultural preferences and expectations of their teams.
How do collectivist and individualist cultures differ in their approach to relationships and decision-making?
Collectivist cultures emphasize group harmony and decisions made for the collective good, while individualist cultures prioritize personal goals and individual autonomy in decision-making.
In Hofstede's model, what dimension refers to the degree to which people in a society feel uncomfortable with uncertainty and ambiguity?
Uncertainty Avoidance
What type of perceived-risk attitude did majority of the respondents across all four cultures exhibited.
perceived-risk averse
How does McSweeney challenge Hofstede’s assumption about national cultural homogeneity?
He argues that national cultures are heterogeneous and influenced by regional, ethnic, and individual differences.
How does globalization impact the practice of cross-cultural management?
It increases cultural diversity within organizations, requiring more nuanced strategies to manage multicultural teams.