IV. HOFSEDE’S CULTURAL TAXONOMY -
Hofstede’s approach is based on the assertion that people carre mental programs, or
“software of the mind,” that are developed duiring chilhood and are reinforced by their culture. -
These mental programs contain the ideas of a culture and are expressed through ít dominant values. -
To identify the principal values of different cultures, Hofstede initially surveyed more
than more 100.000 IBM employees in seventy-one countries, and he has subsequentky
broadened his analysis to include many others. -
Through theoretical reasoning and statistical analyses: Hofstede’s early research
identified five dimensions along which dominant patterns of a culture can be ordered:
power distance, uncertainly avoidance, individualism versus collectivism, masculinity
versus femininity, and long-term versus short-term orientation to time. -
Recently 2 additional dimensions have been added: indulgence versus restraint and
monumentalism versus self-effacement. -
Hofstede’s work provides an excellent synthesis of the relationship between culture values and social behaviors.