Cultural Dimensions Origins: Measures for Power Distance and Uncertainty Avoidance

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rabeb Riahi ◽  
Foued Hamouda
Keyword(s):  
Power Distance ◽  
Uncertainty Avoidance ◽  
Cultural Dimensions

scholarly journals An assessment of the moderating role of employees’ cultural orientations amongst foreign manufacturing multinational companies in Kenya

2013 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Beatrice A. Dimba ◽  
Robert Rugimbana
Keyword(s):  
Firm Performance ◽  
Power Distance ◽  
Multinational Companies ◽  
Uncertainty Avoidance ◽  
Cultural Dimensions ◽  
Manufacturing Companies ◽  
Cultural Orientations ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Moderating Role

Orientation: This article investigates the question, of whether culture really matters in implementing international strategic human resource management (SHRM) practices.Research purpose: Specifically, this study sought to investigate the extent to which employee cultural orientations moderate the link between SHRM practices and firm performance in large foreign manufacturing multinational companies in Kenya. Motivation for the study: Large foreign multinational companies have generally applied SHRM practices without adaptation when trying to improve employee performance even though resource based perspectives argue for the consideration of employees’ cultural orientations. Research design, approach and method: SHRM practices were conceptualised as independent variables measured through distinct practices. Organisational performance as a dependent variable was measured using constructs of image, interpersonal relations, and product quality. Cultural dimensions adopted for this study were power distance, uncertainty avoidance, individualism or collectivism, and masculinity or femininity. The above conceptual framework was tested by the use of both quantitative and qualitative techniques with data from fifty (50) large foreign multinational companies operating in Kenya. Main findings: Findings indicated that the relationship between SHRM practices and firm performance depend to a greater extent on employee cultural orientations when power distance is considered. Power distance (PD) refers to the extent of people accepting that power in institutions and organisations when distributed unequally. The greater the PD, the greater the acceptance of this inequality. Practical/managerial implications: The study supported the notion that the relationship between SHRM practices and firm performance is moderated by power distance through motivation but not by the other three bipolar dimensions namely, Uncertainty Avoidance, Masculinity or Femininity and Individualism or Collectivism. Contribution/value-add: This is the first large-scale empirical article that has focused on the moderating role of employees’ cultural orientations in large foreign manufacturing companies operating in Kenya.

Firm Performance and Employee Downsizing: The Moderating Role of National Culture

2017 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 1-31
Author(s):  
Andre Honoree ◽  
Mario Krenn
Keyword(s):  
Firm Performance ◽  
National Culture ◽  
Power Distance ◽  
Institutional Context ◽  
Uncertainty Avoidance ◽  
Cultural Dimensions ◽  
Future Directions ◽  
Research And Practice ◽  
Moderating Role

A limitation in the downsizing literature is its lack of attention on how firms’ institutional context interacts with firm’s internal drivers of employee downsizing. This study examines the firm performance - employee downsizing relationship in 1,747 firms across 35 countries over three years and demonstrates that while this relationship is similar among firms across countries, its magnitude varies across countries, and that the cultural dimensions of in-group collectivism, power distance, uncertainty avoidance help explain this variance. Implications from these findings and future directions for employee downsizing research and practice are discussed.

Examining the effect of functional diversity on organizational team innovation

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gladys Esinu Abiew ◽  
Eugene Okyere-Kwakye ◽  
Florence Yaa Akyia Ellis
Keyword(s):  
Functional Diversity ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Power Distance ◽  
Uncertainty Avoidance ◽  
Cultural Dimensions ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Team Innovation ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Moderating Role

Purpose Underpinned by the information processing theory, this study aims to investigate the relationship between functional diversity and team innovation by examining the moderating role of some selected cultural dimensions (power distance, uncertainty avoidance and masculinity-femininity) in the relationship between functional diversity and innovation. Design/methodology/approach A quantitative research method was used using a structured questionnaire as a tool to collect data from 251 respondents drawn from research institutions in Ghana. Data was analysed using simple regression and hierarchical multiple regression. In addition, a structural equation model was used to conduct confirmatory factor analyses to examine whether the variables in the hypothesized model for the study captured distinct constructs that the variables were designed to measure. Findings The study revealed that functional diversity was positively related to team innovation. The study also found that functionally diverse groups are more innovative when they exhibit low uncertainty avoidance, femininity and low power distance. Practical implications These findings suggest that practices such as team communication, honesty, respect and trust would foster team unity and commitment, which would enable members to share diverse expertise towards the creation and execution of new ideas and improvement of productivity in the country. Originality/value The study examined the relationship between functional diversity and team innovation by examining the moderating role of some selected cultural dimensions (power distance, uncertainty avoidance and masculinity-femininity) in the relationship between functional diversity and innovation.

scholarly journals HOFSTEDE’S CULTURE VALUES SURVEY IN ALBANIAN PRIVATE HOSPITALS

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
pp. 41-50
Author(s):  
Irma Gjana ◽  
Xhimi Hysa
Keyword(s):  
Survey Data ◽  
Power Distance ◽  
Uncertainty Avoidance ◽  
Cultural Dimensions ◽  
War And Peace ◽  
Private Hospitals ◽  
Dimension Score ◽  
Technological Developments ◽  
Over Time

The purpose of this paper is to highlight the changes that Albanian cultural dimensions’ scores have undergone over time. Hofstede’s Value Survey Module 2013 (VSM 2013) has been applied to examine the six dimensions of culture; power distance, individualism, masculinity, uncertainty avoidance, long term orientation and indulgence. The survey data (N=387) was collected in the two largest private hospitals in Albania. Globalization, technological developments, economical flourishing and crisis, war and peace, influence the shifting of national cultural dimensions’ scores toward negative or positive values [1]. In this study we aim to show the shifting of Albanian culture value scores in time, and compare the results with the ones predicted by the researchers of the field. The results obtained show a negative shift on Albanian culture dimension score of power distance, individualism, long term orientation and indulgence, and a positive shift on masculinity and uncertainty avoidance values. Implications for researchers of the field are discussed in the paper.

scholarly journals Relationships of Cultural Dimensions and Lactation Patterns

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elham Alidadi Shamsabadi ◽  
Mitra Savabi-Esfahani ◽  
Ali Hashemianfar
Keyword(s):  
Exclusive Breastfeeding ◽  
Power Distance ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Uncertainty Avoidance ◽  
Cultural Dimensions ◽  
Cultural Dimension ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Significance Level

Abstract Background Proper nutrition is essential for infant growth and health. Exclusive breastfeeding is the best pattern for feeding infants in the first 6 months of life. On the other hand, lactation patterns may be influenced by cultural factors. The present study aimed to determine relationships of cultural dimensions and lactation patterns.Methods The present cross-sectional study was conducted on 452 mothers with 6-month and younger infants. Hofstede's cultural dimensions, Power Distance, Individualism vs. collectivism, Masculinity vs. Femininity, Uncertainty Avoidance, Long-Term vs. Short-Term Orientation, and Indulgence vs. Restraint were assessed using a self-administered structured questionnaire. Data was analyzed using descriptive and analytical tests (independent t-test, Eta, phi and Cramer coefficients) and SPSS 18 at a significance level of less than 0.05.Results In the masculinity-femininity dimension, the mean score of exclusive breastfeeding pattern was higher than the non-exclusive breastfeeding (3± 0.48, 2.48±0.50) and there were statistical significant differences between groups (P = 0.03). However, despite different mean scores of power distance, individualism-collectivism, uncertainty avoidance, long term- short term orientation, indulgence- restraint in different breastfeeding patterns, the differences were not statistically significant.Conclusions Masculinity-femininity as a cultural dimension was associated with lactation patterns, so that mothers with greater orientation towards masculinity had higher focus on gender roles of a woman such as breastfeeding and they had greater exclusive breastfeeding. Therefore, some cultural dimensions should be taken into consideration in training and counseling for maternal breastfeeding.

scholarly journals The Impact of Cultural Dimensions on Islamic Students’ Attitude Towards Problem-Based Learning

2016 ◽  
pp. 27
Author(s):  
Esti Zaduqisti
Keyword(s):  
Regression Analysis ◽  
Multiple Regression Analysis ◽  
Power Distance ◽  
Problem Based Learning ◽  
Uncertainty Avoidance ◽  
Cultural Dimensions ◽  
Cultural Dimension ◽  
Sampling Inspection ◽  
Norms And Values ◽  
The Impact

The current study aims to examine the impact of cultural dimensions (i.e., collectivism, power distance, uncertainty avoidance, and masculinity) on students’ attitude towards problem-based learning. The design of the current study was a correlational survey, wherein participants were recruited by means of a convenient sampling. Inspection of a multiple regression analysis (N = 549) revealed that collectivism and masculinity positively corresponded with the attitudes. In particular, we found that that the higher the level of collectivism and masculinity, the more students supported the implementation of problem-based learning. In contrast, uncertainty avoidance was negatively related to the attitude in such a way that the higher this cultural dimension, the less students supported problem-based learning. Power distance was the only predictor that did not significantly predict students’ attitude towards problem-based learning. These findings overall suggest the importance of taking into account the characteristics of norms and values people hold within a country that might contribute to the success, feasibility, and  suitability of problem-based learning. Theoretical implications and study limitations of the current findings are discussed, as are practical strategies highlighting on how to deal with cultural potentials and pitfalls in an attempt to promote problem-based learning.

scholarly journals Innovation in Isolation? COVID-19 Lockdown Stringency and Culture-Innovation Relationships

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hansika Kapoor ◽  
Arunima Ticku ◽  
Anirudh Tagat ◽  
Sampada Karandikar
Keyword(s):  
Power Distance ◽  
Uncertainty Avoidance ◽  
Cultural Dimensions ◽  
Government Response ◽  
Country Level ◽  
Global Innovation ◽  
General Power ◽  
High Power Distance ◽  
The Government ◽  
The Relationship

In a bid to curb the spread of COVID-19 in 2020, several countries implemented lockdown procedures to varying degrees. This article sought to examine the extent to which country-level strictness, as measured by the Government Response Stringency Index (2020), moderated the relationship between certain cultural dimensions and estimates of national innovation. Data on 84 countries were collated for Hofstede’s cultural dimensions (2015), and from the Global Innovation Index (2020). Owing to the robust relationships between innovation and the dimensions of uncertainty avoidance, power distance, and individualism, these were used in moderation analyses. In general, power distance was inversely related to innovation, whereas individualism was directly related to it. Results indicated that collectivist and high power distance countries showed lower innovation, irrespective of levels of government stringency as a response to COVID-19. On the other hand, among individualistic and low power distance countries, lower innovation was associated with increased stringency (e.g., blanket restrictions on movement). Higher innovation was observed when such countries had a less severe government response. The dimension of uncertainty avoidance was not significantly associated with innovation at the country level. The implications of lockdowns on general innovation, its inputs, and outputs are discussed in the context of cultural dimensions and country-level policies.

scholarly journals Personal Entrepreneurial Attributes and Intentions to Start Business: The Moderating Role of Culture

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Syed Danish Haider Naqvi ◽  
Danish Ahmed Siddiqui
Keyword(s):  
Risk Taking ◽  
Power Distance ◽  
Uncertainty Avoidance ◽  
Cultural Dimensions ◽  
Path Model ◽  
Entrepreneurial Intentions ◽  
Positive Interaction ◽  
Moderation Effect ◽  
Moderating Role

Culture influence the entrepreneurial intentions, which make a contribution to entrepreneurial evolution. This study investigates that whether (Hofstede, Dimensionalizing Cultures: The Hofstede Model in Context, 2001) cultural dimensions has a moderating role in converting Personal Entrepreneurial Attributes into their Intention to Start a Business. To measure these attributes, we applied bounded multidimensional model of social entrepreneurship as proposed by (Weerawardena & Mort, 2006) and applied by (Richter, et al., 2016). The effect of three Entrepreneurial Attributes namely risk taking, innovativeness and pro-activeness along with other demographic variables were tested against entrepreneurial intensions (EI). Their effect was moderated by five cultural dimensions namely Masculinity, Power Distance, Long-Term Orientation, Collectivism, and Uncertainty Avoidance. Data of 272 respondents from Pakistan was collected using close ended questionnaire and was analysed using Confirmatory factor analysis and structured equation modelling by means of path model which specifies various constructs of this study. The results suggested that risk taking and pro-activeness had a positive and significant effect on EI, whereas innovativeness doesn’t seem to effect EI. This imply that risk takers and proactive individuals are more inclined towards entrepreneurship than innovators. With regards to cultural dimensions, Masculinity, Power Distance, and Collectivism seems to negatively affect EI, whereas Long-Term Orientation, and Uncertainty Avoidance seems to effect positively. Interestingly, Collectivism and Masculinity have positive and significant complementarities with innovativeness, whereas Uncertainty Avoidance have negative and significant effect. This means innovativeness does seem to effect EI in collective and masculine culture. This also suggested that innovators would be more inclined in converting their ideas into workable projects in collective decision making and hierarchical cultural settings. Conversely, Uncertainty Avoidance, seem to restrict Entrepreneurial aspirations in innovators. Cultural variable doesn’t seem to have a significant moderation effect with regards to risk taking, except of Long Term Orientation, that have significant negative complementarities. Surprisingly, Masculinity, and Collectivism had and significant negative moderating effect with pro-activeness and EI, whereas Long Term Orientation and Uncertainty Avoidance have a significant positive interaction. This suggested that hierarchical culture deter proactive people in fulfilling their EI, at the same time, encourage innovators. With regards to demographics, male seems to have more EI, whereas the coefficient of education and age found that advanced education and experienced individuals believes in development, increasingly slanted toward entrepreneurship. Frames of mind to completing the expectations are poor in entrepreneurship.

The Impact of National Culture Dimensions on the Adoption of Cross-Border E-Commerce

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 91-112
Author(s):  
Isaac Kofi Mensah ◽  
Guohua Zeng ◽  
Chuanyong Luo
Keyword(s):  
Power Distance ◽  
Uncertainty Avoidance ◽  
Cultural Dimensions ◽  
Chinese Sample ◽  
Cross Border ◽  
Performance Expectancy ◽  
Culture Dimensions ◽  
Effort Expectancy ◽  
The Impact

This study integrated the cultural dimensions such as power distance, collectivism, uncertainty avoidance, masculinity, and long-term orientation into the UTAUT to examine the comparative impact of cultural dimensions on the adoption of cross-border e-commerce between the Chinese and Russian citizens. The data analysis was conducted with SPSS and Smart PLS 3.0. The results indicate that power distance, collectivism, and long-term orientation respectively were significant predictors of performance expectancy and effort expectancy of cross-border e-commerce for both Chinese and Russian citizens. Uncertainty avoidance and masculinity were also found to determine the performance expectancy of cross-border e-commerce. However, while uncertainty avoidance and masculinity were significant determinants of the effort expectancy of cross-border e-commerce in the context of the Russia sample, it was not so for the Chinese sample. In addition, performance expectancy and social influence were positive predictors of the intention to use cross-border e-commerce for both Chinese and Russia samples.

The Effect of Cultural Dimensions on the Development of Intra-Team Trust in Global Virtual Teams

2011 ◽  
pp. 64-81
Author(s):  
Kurt D. Kirstein
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Teams ◽  
Power Distance ◽  
Virtual Team ◽  
Uncertainty Avoidance ◽  
Cultural Dimensions ◽  
Team Leaders ◽  
Global Virtual Teams ◽  
Team Members ◽  
Widespread Adoption ◽  
Team Trust

The widespread adoption of global virtual teams has been driven by an unprecedented need to draw upon talents of employees from around the globe in a manner that is both organizationally and financially feasible. The success of these teams depends largely on the levels of intra-team trust and collaboration they are able to establish throughout the life of their projects. Team members on global virtual teams may differ substantially on a number of cultural dimensions including preferences for individualistic versus collective teamwork, power distance, uncertainty avoidance, and contextual communication. This chapter will investigate how these four cultural dimensions are likely to impact intra-team trust within a global virtual team. Suggestions that team leaders can utilize to address these cultural dimensions are also presented.

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