Question

Explain what is national culture and its main dimensions (600-650 words )

Answer 1

National culture can be defined as the set of beliefs, behaviours, norms, customs, and values that are shared by the people of a particular nation. It also refers to the specific characteristics of the people such as their religion, language, ethnicity, race, history, and traditions. The core of culture is formed by values. Values are strong emotions with an arrow to it: a minus and a plus pole, such as good and evil, normal and abnormal. Beautiful and ugly, safe and dangerous, moral and immoral, decent and indecent, rational and irrational. National cultures are different for different countries which are mainly distinguishable from the values that the countries choose to adopt. National culture can be further classified with the help of six dimensions. These dimensions represent the independent preferences for one state affairs over another that differentiate countries from each other. Hofstede’s model consists of these six dimensions, rooted in differences between national cultural values. Scores on each dimension range from 0-100. The dimensions are labelled as follows:

Power Distance Index (PDI)

This dimension expresses the degree to which less powerful members of a society accept and expect that power is distributed equally. This dimension is mainly concerned with the way in which a society handles inequalities among people. People in societies that exhibit a large degree of Power Distance accept a hierarchical order in which everybody has a place and which needs no further justification. Conversely, societies with low Power Distance have their people striving for equality in the distribution of power.

Individualism versus Collectivism (IDV)

The higher side of this dimension, called individualism, refers to the preference for a loosely held social framework in which people are expected to take care of only themselves and their immediate relatives. Conversely, Collectivism represents a preference for a tightly held framework in a society where individuals can expect their ingroup to look after them in exchange for loyalty.

Masculinity versus Femininity (MAS)

Masculinity represents an inclination towards aiming for achievement, heroism, assertiveness, and materialistic rewards for success. Society is more competitive in nature. On the contrary, Femininity, refers to a preference towards modesty, caring for the weak, and quality of life. Society at large is more consensus-oriented.

Uncertainty Avoidance Index (UAI)

This dimension refers to the degree to which members of a society feel uncomfortable with ambiguity. The main concern is how society deals with the fact that the future is uncertain. Nations displaying strong UAI maintain rigid codes of belief and behaviour, and are intolerant towards behaviours that don’t conform to normal ideas. Weak UAI societies, on the contrary, have a more relaxed approach in which practice is given preference over principles.

Long term orientation versus Short term normative orientation (LTO)

Every society needs to maintain a relationship with its past while tackling the problems of the present and the future. Societies give importance to these two goals differently. Societies who score low on this particular dimension respect and honour traditions and norms and therefore and not too forthcoming with frequent changes in society. Those who score high on this dimension take a more pragmatic approach while encouraging efforts that promote changes such as modern education which pave the way for a bright future.

Indulgence versus Restraint (IVR)

Indulgence refers to a society that allows a reasonably free gratification of basic and natural human desires related to enjoying life and having fun. Restraint refers to a society that suppresses gratification of needs and regulates it by means of strict societal norms.

Thus, national culture is inclusive of all the beliefs and values shared by the population of a particular nation.