In: Operations Management
Think about what you have learned about motivating and leading an international team.
What are the implications of Hofstede’s research findings on the dimensions of power distance, uncertainty avoidance, individualism, and masculinity on the methods that should be utilized to manage a cross-cultural employee or team?
Focus on one of these dimensions, research it and share a real-world example.
Today for a business to grow it must cross boundaries which makes the world interconnected. Here the manager has the challenge to manage a set of employees from different nationality and cultural background. Therefore, the framework used to understand cultural differences is Hofstede’s cultural dimension.
1) Power Distance - This talk about the power relationship practiced between two parties. Country with high power distance believes that the power is distributed unequally. On the other hand, country with low power distance will ask questions and are included in all kind of discussions. Example Saudi Arabia and china practise high power distance on the other hand US and Europe have a low power distance.
Researchers have found that employees are satisfied with job and have good performance due to low power distance practised in the organisation. As it helps an employee to give his opinion and is given certain power to do his job independently. Here it’s when an employee takes the ownership of his job and perform it at its best.