Question

List and define the Geert Hofstede’s five major dimensions of similarities and differences among cultures? Comments on how they apply to the expatriation popular in Saudi Arabia .

Answer 1

According to Geert Hofstede, Culture means the collective programming of one's mind which differentiates the people of one group from the other group of people.

Hofstede's Five dimension model includes:

1. Power distance

2. Individualism vs. Collectivism

3. Masculinity vs. Feminism

4. Uncertainty avoidance

5. Long term orientation vs. Short term orientation

We see all these five dimensions in application to Saudi Arabia.

1. Power Distance:

This dimension says that the all individuals in the society are not equal. There is an extent to which the members of the organization with less power accept that the power is unequally distributed.

Saudi Arabia has the score of 95 on this dimension. It means that the people over here accept that they are in an hierarchical order and there does not need further justification for that. Hierarchy is seen in an organization wherein the power is unequally distributed, centralization is highest, and the subordinates are to be told what they should do and the boss here is an autocrat.

2. Individualism vs. Collectivism

This dimension refers to the level of interdependence a person or group of people maintains with the society. This dimension focuses on the "I" or "We" part of the people's self-image. In individualism, people take care of themselves and their family only. In collectivism, people belong to a group and they take care of their group as a whole in exchange of loyalty.

Saudi Arabia is considered a collectivist society with a score of 25. In a collectivist society, loyalty is paramount. Here, people maintain strong relationships in their group and take responsibility of their fellow members of the group. Here, management is of management of groups.

3. Masculinity vs. Feminism

In Masculinity, the society is lead by competition, success and achievement, wherein success is said to be the best in the field or the winner. It starts from the value system in the school and carries on throughout the organizational life. Here, people want to be the best. In Feminism, the society in which quality of life is important and caring for others is dominant. Here, quality of life is considered as the sign of success. Here, people do what they like to do.

A high score on this dimension indicates a masculinity and a low score on this dimension indicates Feminism.

Saudi Arabia has a score of 60 and thus it is considered to be Masculine society. Here, people live in order to work and there is high emphasis on competition and performance.

4. Uncertainty avoidance

Uncertainty avoidance is the dimension in which it refers to the degree to which people of a culture feel threatened by the unknown situation. This shows how a society deals with unknown future, should they try to control it or just let it happen.

Saudi Arabia has a score of 80 on this dimension and so it has a preference for avoiding uncertainties. Such countries have rigid codes of belief and thus remain orthodox of behavior and ideas. Here, people tend to remain busy and keep working hard, innovation is not given much importance, precision is the norm, and security is important for individual motivation.

5. Long term orientation vs. Short term orientation

This dimension refers to maintaining relation with the past while keeping pace with the conditions of the present and future. The society with low score on this dimension is considered as a normative society in which people follow time-honored norms and traditions and view the change in the society with suspicions. While those with a high score on this dimension have a pragmatic approach, and they encourage modern education in order to be prepared for the future.

Saudi Arabia scores 36 on this dimension and thus their normative nature can be seen. People here exhibit a great respect for their traditions and focus on achievements with quick results and save less for future.

Thus, these are Hofstede's five cultural dimensions with reference to Saudi Arabia.