Hofstede's Six Dimensions of Culture: These Are

Hofstede's Six Dimensions of Culture
Psychologist Dr Geert Hofstede published his cultural dimensions model at the end of the
1970s, based on a decade of research. Since then, it's become an internationally recognized
standard for understanding cultural differences.
Hofstede studied people who worked for IBM in more than 50 countries. Initially, he identified
four dimensions that could distinguish one culture from another. Later, he added fifth and
sixth dimensions, in cooperation with Drs Michael H. Bond and Michael Minkov.
These are:
1. Power Distance Index (high versus low).
2. Individualism Versus Collectivism.
3. Masculinity Versus Femininity.
4. Uncertainty Avoidance Index (high versus low).
5. Long- Versus Short-Term Orientation.
6. Indulgence Versus Restraint.
TURKEY
If we explore Turkish culture through the lens of the 6-D Model, we can get a good
overview of the deep drivers of Turkish culture relative to other world cultures.
POWER DISTANCE
This dimension deals with the fact that all individuals in societies are not equal – it expresses the
attitude of the culture towards these inequalities amongst us. Power Distance is defined as the
extent to which the less powerful members of institutions and organisations within a country
expect and accept that power is distributed unequally.
Turkey scores high on this dimension (score of 66) which means that the following characterises
the Turkish style: Dependent, hierarchical, superiors often inaccessible and the ideal boss is a
father figure. Power is centralized and managers rely on their bosses and on rules. Employees
expect to be told what to do. Control is expected and attitude towards managers is formal.
Communication is indirect and the information flow is selective. The same structure can be
observed in the family unit, where the father is a kind of patriarch to whom others submit.
INDIVIDUALISM
The fundamental issue addressed by this dimension is the degree of interdependence a society
maintains among its members. It has to do with whether people´s self-image is defined in terms
of “I” or “We”. In Individualist societies people are supposed to look after themselves and their
direct family only. In Collectivist societies people belong to ‘in groups’ that take care of them in
exchange for loyalty.
Turkey, with a score of 37 is a collectivistic society. This means that the “We” is important,
people belong to in-groups (families, clans or organisations) who look after each other in
exchange for loyalty. Communication is indirect and the harmony of the group has to be
maintained, open conflicts are avoided. The relationship has a moral base and this always has
priority over task fulfillment. Time must be invested initially to establish a relationship of trust.
Nepotism may be found more often. Feedback is always indirect, also in the business
environment.
MASCULINITY
A high score (Masculine) on this dimension indicates that the society will be driven by
competition, achievement and success, with success being defined by the winner/best in field –
a value system that starts in school and continues throughout organisational life.
A low score (Feminine) on the dimension means that the dominant values in society are caring
for others and quality of life. A Feminine society is one where quality of life is the sign of success
and standing out from the crowd is not admirable. The fundamental issue here is what
motivates people, wanting to be the best (Masculine) or liking what you do (Feminine).
Turkey scores 45 and is on the Feminine side of the scale. This means that the softer aspects of
culture such as leveling with others, consensus, sympathy for the underdog are valued and
encouraged. Conflicts are avoided in private and work life and consensus at the end is
important. Leisure time is important for Turks, it is the time when the whole family, clan and
friends come together to enjoy life. Status is shown, but this comes more out of the high PDI.
UNCERTAINTY AVOIDANCE
The dimension Uncertainty Avoidance has to do with the way that a society deals with the fact
that the future can never be known: should we try to control the future or just let it happen?
This ambiguity brings with it anxiety and different cultures have learnt to deal with this anxiety
in different ways. The extent to which the members of a culture feel threatened by ambiguous
or unknown situations and have created beliefs and institutions that try to avoid these is
reflected in the score on Uncertainty Avoidance.
Turkey scores 85 on this dimension and thus there is a huge need for laws and rules. In order to
minimize anxiety, people make use of a lot of rituals. For foreigners they might seem religious,
with the many references to “Allah”, but often they are just traditional social patterns, used in
specific situations to ease tension.
LONG TERM ORIENTATION
This dimension describes how every society has to maintain some links with its own past while
dealing with the challenges of the present and future, and societies prioritise these two
existential goals differently. Normative societies. which score low on this dimension, for
example, prefer to maintain time-honoured traditions and norms while viewing societal change
with suspicion. Those with a culture which scores high, on the other hand, take a more
pragmatic approach: they encourage thrift and efforts in modern education as a way to prepare
for the future.
Turkey’s intermediate score of 46 is in the middle of the scale so no dominant cultural prefernce
can be inferred.
INDULGENCE
One challenge that confronts humanity, now and in the past, is the degree to which small
children are socialized. Without socialization we do not become “human”. This dimension is
defined as the extent to which people try to control their desires and impulses, based on the
way they were raised. Relatively weak control is called “Indulgence” and relatively strong control
is called “Restraint”. Cultures can, therefore, be described as Indulgent or Restrained.
With an intermediate score of 49, a characteristic corresponding to this dimension cannot be
determined for Turkey.

Hofstede's Six Dimensions of Culture: These Are

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Hofstede's Six Dimensions of Culture: These Are

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Hofstede's Six Dimensions of Culture: These Are

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Hofstede's Six Dimensions of Culture

You might also like