Assignment Sample on The Practical Application of Culture Theory

1.0 Introduction

This report deals with the practical application of the theories related to cultural framework and cultural difference. Hofstede’s cultural dimensional model includes six different dimensions that can be regarded in order to recognize cultural differences. In order to prepare this report Hofstede’s cultural dimension model has been considered. The identification of the cultural differences between Colombia and the UK has been done on the basis of six cultural dimensions stated in Hofstede’s cultural framework theory. The cultural dimension of Hofstede’s cultural model can be mentioned as “Power distance Index” or PDI, “Uncertainty Avoidance Index” or UAI, “Individualism” or IDV, “Masculinity” or MAS, “Long term orientation” or LTO and “Restraints or indulgence” (IND). In the further portion of this report discussion has been made on how many problems those cultural differences can create in order to work together among the person coming from Colombia and person coming from UK. It also deals with recommending several strategies so that those differences can be mitigated or minimised.

2.0 Analysis of Hofstede’s Cultural dimensions model

In Hofstede’s cultural dimension model, mainly six dimensions can be observed. Those cultural dimensions can be described as follows:

“Power distance Index” or PDI

According to the viewpoint of Hofstede, this particular dimension can be responsible for reflecting that all the people under the society are not the same or equal. In case of different individuals, the inequality can be measured by the attitudes of the people and their cultural backgrounds. Hofstede stated that cultural differences can determine the different attitudes among different individuals. The term power distance can be defined as the distance to which the less powerful member of the society in a country can expect that the power has been distributed in an unequal manner. On the other hand, as opined by Andrijauskienė and Dumčiuvienė, (2017), power and inequality can be regarded as major factors in order to construct a society. As argued by Beugelsdijk and Welzel,(2018), people are generally struggling for power so that inequality among them can be minimised.

“Uncertainty Avoidance Index” or UAI

This particular cultural dimension can deliver the idea that the amount to which people of a certain culture tends to feel threatened due to unpredictable or a sudden situation. This component can be shown by the amount of predictability of people and their capacity to tolerate nervous stress. People who have scored high in this particular dimension have a tendency to feel nervous in any kind of adverse situation and they mainly try to mitigate those risks which appeared as threatened to them. As stated by Beugelsdijket al. (2017), mitigating risks beforehand can help people in order to avoid the negative consequences of the situation so that it can be regarded as beneficial. On the other hand, in case people are getting overly nervous then they cannot be able to control themselves in emergency situations.

“Individualism” or IDV

This particular component of the cultural model represents whether the ethics of the society is based on individualism or collectivism. This component can be defined as the perspective of people regarding themselves whether they perceive themselves as an individual entity or they perceive themselves as a part of a group or society. As stated by Bissessar, (2018), in individualistic society, people can be able to easily develop various characteristics such as self-interest, self-concept, self-judgment, self-confidence. On the other hand, as opined by Block and Walter, (2017), in collectivistic society, people tend to be cooperative to others, and can maintain effective communication with other members of the society. As per the view of Changet al. (2017), individualistic society can be considered as Universalist society.

“Masculinity” or MAS

This specific component of Hofstede’s cultural model shows the different roles of gender such as masculine gender and feminine gender. It can be seen that males and females can differ on the basis of their gender based traits of personality. The males tend to be more assertive regarding money, attracted by success; they like competition and they love to dominate others compared to females. On the other hand, females tend to have caring attitudes for others, flexible, and have tender values. They are more concerned regarding maintaining their personal relationships rather than maintaining their career and personal achievement or success. On the contrary, as stated by Dihlet al. (2017), some females have high achievement needs and they keep their success before their family and personal relationships. On the other hand, some males also appeared as cooperative, giving value to their personal relationships.

“Long term orientation” or LTO

This dimension can be regarded as representing the extent to which the people of a society can consider the long term goals or future perspectives. This component is responsible for opposing the traditional or historical perspective related to short term viewpoint. It can be seen that people are more interested in setting long term goals for their activities so that they can be able to formulate strategies in order to reach those goals. On the other hand, as argued by Dingil et al. (2017), short term goal setting and their fulfilment can develop confidence within individuals.

“Restraints or indulgence” (IND)

The focus of this certain dimension can be mentioned as happiness and control in life. Individuals are always searching for enjoyment and fun in their lives. Therefore they want to achieve gratification in their lives (Huang and Crotts, 2019). Again they strive to gain gratification by maintaining the principle and norms of the society.

3.0 Comparison between the culture of Colombia and UK based on Hofstede’s cultural model

“Power distance Index” or PDI

In the dimension of power distance, the country Colombia scored 67 and this score represents that, in their level of inequality of power and assets among the people and within the society of Colombia. On the other hand, the country UK scored 35 in this particular dimension, and this score delivers that the mentioned society believes that the economic and power related inequality should be reduced among people of that society (Jackson, 2020). In Colombian society, leaders tend to practice the major power in order to lead the society. On the other hand, the society in UK has the struggle to decrease the difference among people in terms of power and assets.

“Uncertainty Avoidance Index” or UAI

The country Colombia scored 80 which indicate that the society of Colombia has a low amount of tolerance level for sudden or unpredictable situations. The people of the society tend to be overwhelmed in case they have to face an unpleasant situation. On the other hand, the country UK has a low score in this particular dimension which can be observed as 35. As opined by Kedmenec and Strašek, (2017), this lower amount of score by the UK in this dimension reflects that they do not fear the uncertain situation and they have a sporting mentality to deal with the unfavourable situations faced by them.

“Individualism” or IDV

In this particular dimension of Hofstede’s cultural model, the country Colombia secured a score of 13 and from this score it can be seen that their society is following the principle of collectivism rather than the principle of individualism. The people under this culture tend to show cooperative behaviours to other members of the society. They are less self-centred and they are more family oriented and personal relationship oriented (Kristjánsdóttiret al. 2017). On the other hand, UK scored 89 in this particular dimension. This score entails that the people living in the society of UK are more self-centred and they are concerned about their self-image, self-efficacy, self-achievements rather than their personal relationships.

“Masculinity” or MAS

In terms of the dimension masculinity, the score of Colombia can be mentioned as 64 and this scare shows that this has a great amount of differences among people on the basis of their gender roles. In their country, a clear distinction has been made between males and females on the basis of their roles in the society (Mekićet al. 2020). On the other hand, the country UK scored 66 in this particular dimension which elaborates that the society of UK can be driven by success and high amount of achievement.

“Long term orientation” or LTO

The score of Colombia in this dimension can be seen as 13. This score can help to understand that the people living in the society of Colombia are mainly giving emphasis on absolute truth regarding their thinking. They tend to show respect to their traditional values (Nagy and Konyha, 2018). On the other hand, the score of UK in this regard can be found out as 51 which can reflect that the people of UK do not want to be dominated in order to determine their preferences.

“Restraints or indulgence” (IND)

In the scale of indulgence, the country Colombia scored 83 which can be regarded as a high score. This elaborated that the people of that society can be driven by high amount of indulgence. On the other hand, the society of UK scored 69 which reflect that they can be driven by the amount of pleasure, fun and enjoyment.

4.0 Differences and potential problems

It can be seen that the two mentioned country Colombia and UK have differences in their scores in terms of various dimensions stated in Hofstede’s cultural dimension model. The business organisations of two different countries are following different kinds of perspective in order to drive their organisational operations and organisational culture. In power struggle the country Colombia prefers inequality of power and assets among people and on contrary, the country UK prefers to minimise the inequality among people in terms of power. This can develop discrimination between them in terms of leadership and power so that they can face problems in case they want to drive their business together. As opined by Pogosyan,(2017), apart from that the tolerance level is low in the people of Colombia whereas in the people of UK the level of tolerating fighting against the uncertain situation can be seen as high. In order to merge business between these two countries a clear difference of opinion can be generated in terms of taking risk to achieve the ultimate success.

Moreover, the people of UK can be regarded as more self-centred that the people living in Colombia. They are focusing on individual achievements rather than focusing the demands of the other people of the society. A controversy can be arisen in case the business organisations of these two different countries want to build partnership between them in terms of individualism and collectivism. Apart from that, gender difference can be seen as prominent in the country Colombia but in UK difference on the basis of gender cannot be seen. They tend to give respect to their woman and encourage them to achieve their success (Primet al. 2017). On the other hand, the people of the UK do not value their traditional culture; they believe that things should be achieved by hook or by crook. In this term a difference of opinion can be created between the business organisations under these two countries so that problems can be raised. In order to mitigate these differences, in the agreement paper of the partnership, the rules regulations and principles should be clearly stated. This can prevent any kind of further conflict between these two countries.

5.0 Conclusion

It can be concluded from the above report that, this report focused on the practical implication and application of Hofstede’s cultural dimensional model. The critical analysis had been made on Hofstede’s cultural dimensional model on the basis of six different dimensions. Apart from that an analysis of cultural differences had been done between two different countries such as Colombia and UK. The people of these two different countries have the difference in each and every dimension of the model. The business organisations may face problems regarding those differences in order to make their organisational partnership. Apart from that, power distribution, gender role, principle of indulgence all is different in case of these two mentioned countries. People of UK love to take risk in order to achieve their success. On the other hand, people of Colombia try to minimise the uncertainties.

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