Question

Studies by Hofstede (1984, 1991) have outlined five (5) dimensions which can differentiate the cultures of various races and nationalities. Elaborate how the cultural dimensions of “masculinity” and “individualism” could affect entrepreneurial trends in Malaysia compared to Indonesia.

Answer 1

Malaysia has masculinity score of 50 and individualism score of 26, whereas Indonesia has masculinity score of 46 and individualism score of 14. Here, individualism shows the degree of individualistic nature of society and workplace and masculinity tells the degree to which dominance of winning over care as well as degree of dominance of men over women in the society.

The given score suggests that entrepreneurs needs to be a balanced approach in developing strategies to focus more on profitability and care for the people in the country of both Malaysia and Indonesia, though it needs more focussed on care in the country of Indonesia as both of these nations are very similar in terms of masculine score. Besides, entrepreneurial trend should be equally forwarding among men and women entrepreneurs, but Indonesia will have slightly more orientation towards the feminism in comparison to the country of Malaysia.

Further, both the countries are scoring low on individualism. It means that entrepreneurial trend will be to form team of individuals and form a family type structure in entrepreneurship to work in these countries. But, Indonesia has more stronger collectivism driven entrepreneurial culture and trend than that of Malaysia. It is probably due to the slightly bigger role played by women in Indonesia that that of Malaysia.