Question

1. John Smith, with 20 years of experience as general foreman in the U.S., is sent as production superintendent to his firm’s new plant in Qatar. He was chosen because of his outstanding success in handling workers. Smith uses participative/democratic leadership style. Compare the cultures of US and Qatar using Hofstede’s cultural dimensions, and explain if you foresee John having any problems on this new job?

Answer 1

Geert Hofstede was a psychologist who researched on intercultural studies. He formulated the Cultural Dimension Theory. In it, he referenced six major cultural dimensions that define a country's culture. Each country is different in culture. The six dimensions vary from country to country. Those six dimensions are:

1. Power Distance
2. Individualism versus Collectivism
3. Masculinity versus Femininity
4. Long Term versus Short Term Orientation
5. Indulgence versus Restraint
6. Uncertainty Avoidance Index

Now, comparing the cultures of the US and Qatar using Hofstede's Cultural Dimension Theory, the following comparisons are derived:

1. Power Distance

In a culture, individuals vary in power. Power Distance is the willingness of the culture to accept the variation of power of other individuals. It is the extent to which power distance is accepted in the culture.

U.S: The power distance in the USA is much lower because the people in this culture feel entitled to a certain power. Due to this, the US has a low power distance

QATAR: The power distance in many Arab countries, including Qatar is very high. This means, that the culture here is very accommodative of the power difference between various individuals.

2. Individualism versus Collectivism

This culture dimension describes how the individuals portray themselves. In an individualistic culture, individuals seek individual goals and needs. In a collectivism culture, the individuals portray themselves as a part of a group.

U.S: The US has an Individualistic cultural dimension. The managers rely on individual employees to get work done. They are self-reliant.

QATAR: Qatar follows a collectivistic cultural pattern. Often, individuals act on the behalf of the group they belong to and act collectively. They are loyal to the group they belong to.

3. Masculinity versus Femininity

This cultural dimension defines whether a country is more driven by competition or success (masculine), or more caring for others and more emphasis on the quality of life (feminine).

US: The US has a masculine culture where the people are driven by competition and a need for making monetary gains and being successful in the world.

QATAR: Qatar has a feminine culture where people give more importance to the quality of life rather than profits and gains. They prefer a more laid-back and nurturing culture.

4. Long Term Orientation versus Short Term Orientation

This cultural dimension defines whether the individuals in a culture prefer a trustworthy long term relationship with the business or a short term relationship.

US: The US has a Short Term Orientated culture. The people of such a culture prefer and value short term gains. They believe that results must be achieved in a set time frame.

QATAR: Qatar has a Long Term Oriented culture. The people of this culture prefer a long term, but a trustworthy relationship with the business they are associated with. They believe that results take a long time to be achieved.

5. Indulgence versus Restraint

This cultural dimension defines the extent to which the people of a culture restrain themselves to control their impulses and desires.

US: The US follows Indulgence form of culture, where the norm is "work hard, play harder". They indulge themselves and give in to their desires.

QATAR: Qatar follows a Restraint from of work culture. The individuals restrain from giving in to their urges and desire. This is influenced by their strict religion.

6. Uncertainty Avoidance Index

This cultural dimension studies the people's reaction towards ambiguity. It tells how various people of various cultures react to ambiguous situations.

US: The US is more likely to be tolerant of new ideas and opinions and allows a freedom of expression. This type of culture is better acceptable of ambiguous and uncertain situations.

QATAR: A high uncertainty avoidance index of Qatar shows that the people of this culture try to avoid uncertainties and ambiguity as much as possible. They are very careful.

John could possibly have problems with adjusting to a completely different work culture in Qatar initially. But, since he uses a Participative form of leadership, he asks the workers' and behaves accordingly. Some situational challenges he might face due to the difference in culture between the US and Qatar are - He might have to get used to the collectivist culture of Qatar and think of himself as part of a larger group, by putting his individual goals aside for the greater good. He would have to get used to the laid-back and nurturing feminine culture of Qatar. He should understand that results take time and be invested for a longer period of time to comply with the long term orientation culture of this country. He would also have to restrain himself from taking risks in order to comply with the high uncertainty avoidance index of Qatar.