1. DIMENSIONS OF CULTURAL VARIABILITY

2. FRAMEWORKS FOR STUDYING CROSS-CULTURAL VARIABILITY * Hall’s concepts of time, space and context * Hofstede’s value dimensions * Trompenaars’ value dilemmas  Cultural Dimensions

3. HALL’S CONCEPTS Polychronic versus monochronic time orientation Space High versus low context of information

4. HOFSTEDE’S VALUE DIMENSIONS Individualism versus Collectivism Power Distance Uncertainty Avoidance Masculinity versus Femininity

5. Individualism pertains to societies in which the ties between individuals are loose: everyone is expected to look after himself or herself and his or her immediate family. Collectivism as its opposite pertains to societies in which people form birth onwards are integrated into strong, cohesive in-groups which throughout people’s lifetime continue to protect them in exchange for unquestioning loyalty.

6. Power distance- amount of respect and deference between those in superior and subordinate positions

7. Uncertainty Avoidance- the focus on planning and the creation of stability as a way of dealing with life’s uncertainties

8. Masculinity- emphasis on dominance, achievement, recognition, task-orientation Femininity - emphasis on Harmony, co-operation, social relationships

9. TRIANDIS’ CULTURAL PATTERNS * Individualism-collectivism * Cultural looseness-tightness * Cultural Complexity

10. Individualist cultures:“I” consciousness, prioritizing personal goals, independence Collectivist cultures: “We consciousness,” relational, group oriented

11. Cultural tightness: cultures where norms are clear, deviations are prohibited Cultural complexity: developed, industrialized, urbanized societies

12. TROMPENAARS’ DIMENSIONS Individualism-Communitarianism Universalism-Particularism Ascription Oriented- Achievement Oriented Diffuse-Specific

13. TROMPENAARS’ DIMENSIONS Neutral- Affective Internal-External control Past, present, future time orientation

14. ADDITIONAL DIMENSIONS Direct versus indirect style of communication Saving face Focus on past, presence or future Matter-of-fact versus building up social relationships Action versus results Problem-solving styles

15. I. Attitudes towards Work 1.Power DistanceHigh  Low 2. Uncertainty AvoidanceReady to take risks  Sceptical 3. AttitudesPerformance  Quality of life 4. Key to ProductivityFacts  Harmony 5. Problem-solving StyleResults  Action II. Social Relationships 1. Social RelationsLess important  Very important 2. Significance of GroupLow  High III. Time Orientation 1. Concept of TimeMonochronic  Polychronic 2. Time and Other PeopleOne after another  All at once 3. OrientationPast  Future IV. Communication 1.Styledirect  indirect 2. ContextLow  High 3. Saving FaceLess important  More important

16. QUESTIONS Why are dimensions of cultural variability important? Does New Zealand’s positioning on Individualism,Uncertainty Avoidance, Masculinity, Power Distance surprise you?