Hofstede.docx

GROUP:

SAJJAD SHAH

emana

SAJJAD SHAH

ALI SHEIKH

SPEECH COMMUNICATION

AROOBA MALIK EMAN AHMER ALI SHEIKH BS (V)

Table of Contents Acknowledgements ..................................................................................................................................... 3 Hofstede’s 5 cultural dimensions ........................................................................................................ 4 Power Distance Individualism vs Collectivist Masculinity vs Femininity Uncertainty Avoidance Long term vs Short term ....................................................................................................................... 3 CHINA Dimensions Business Culture…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….5 COLOMBIA Dimensions Business Culture............................................................................................................................................ 6 UNITED KINGDOM Dimensions Business Culture............................................................................................................................................ 7 BRAZIL Dimensions Business Culture………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………8 PAKISTAN Dimensions Business Culture………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………9 References .................................................................................................................................................. 12

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS We would like to express our deepest appreciation to all those who provided the possibility to complete this report. A special gratitude to our mentor Sir Farrukh Aslam for providing us an opportunity to perform such task.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY This report describes the cross-culture communication among various countries having respective cultures keeping the Hofstede’s cultural dimensions theory as basis of research. It covers the aspects on which countries differ from each other in terms of their culture and how these values mold their business lifestyle. How China greets with handshake while British meet with half hug kiss on the cheeks. How each country has their own definition of business attributes and etiquettes. There own set of protocols.

HOFSTEDE’S FIVE CULTURAL DIMENSIONS: Hofstede’s cultural dimension theory is framework for cross-cultural communication, developed by Geert Hofstede. It describes the effects of a society’s culture on the values of its members, and how these values relate to behavior. The Hofstede 5 cultural dimension are as follows: 1. POWER DISTANCE INDEX This refers to the degree of inequality that exists and is accepted between people with and without power. A high PDI score shows that a society accepts an unequal, hierarchical distribution of power, and the people understand “their place” in the system. A low PDI score means that power is shared and is widely dispersed. 2.

FEMININTY VS MASCULINITY This refers to the distribution of roles between men and women. In masculine societies, the roles of men and women overlap less, men are expected to behave assertively.

3. UNCERTAINITY AVOIDANCE INDEX This dimension describes how well people cope with anxiety. Avoiding uncertainty is not necessarily same as avoiding risk. 4. LONG TERM VS SHORT TERM This dimension was originally referred as “Pragmatic versus Normative”. It refers to the time horizon people in a society display. Countries with long term orientation tend to be pragmatic and modest. In short term-oriented countries tend to place more emphasis on principles, consistency and truth. 5. INDIVIDUALISM VS COLLECTIVISM This refers to the strength of the ties that people have to others within their community. A high IDV score indicates weak interpersonal connection among those who are not part of a core “family”. Here people tale less responsibility for other’s actions and outcomes. In a collectivist society

however, people are supposed to be loyal to the group to which they belong and in exchange the group will defend their interest.

Applying the above five cultural dimensions to five different countries:

CHINA: Power Distance- At 80 China sits in the higher rankings of PDI this means it is a society that believes that inequalities amongst people are acceptable. People should not aspire beyond their rank. Individualism vs Collectivist- At a score of 20 China is a highly collectivist culture where people act in the interests of the group and not necessarily of themselves. In-group considerations affect hiring and promotions with closer in-groups (such as family) get preferential treatment. Masculinity vs Femininity- At 66 China is a Masculine society referring to success oriented and driven. Their need to ensure success can be showed by the fact that Chinese will sacrifice family and leisure priorities to work. Uncertainty Avoidance- At 30 China has a low score on Uncertainty Avoidance. The Chinese are comfortable with ambiguity; the Chinese language is full of ambiguous meanings that can be difficult for Western people to follow. Long term vs Short term- China scores 87 in this dimension, which means that it is a very pragmatic culture. They show an ability to adapt traditions easily to changed conditions, a strong tendency to save and invest, thriftiness, and insistence in achieving results. Business Culture in ChinaGreetings: Handshakes are common but wait for your Chinese counterpart to initiate the gesture. As a sign of respect, many Chinese will look towards the ground when greeting someone. Business Cards: Business cards are exchanged after the initial introduction. It is advisable to have one side in English and the other in Chinese printed with gold ink, since gold is an auspicious color. Present your business card using two hands

and ensure the Chinese side is facing the recipient; receive the business card with two hands and attentively examine it for a few moments. Never write on a business card or put it in your wallet or pocket. Carry a small card case. Body Language: Do maintain good eye contact, avoiding eye contact is considered untrustworthy. Body posture should always be formal and attentive as it demonstrates self-control and respectfulness. Physical contact must be avoided at all cost. Business Meetings: The Chinese prefer face-to-face meetings rather than written or telephonic communication. Contacts should be made prior to your trip and appointments should be made between 1 to 2 months in advance. • It is imperative that you bring your own interpreter, especially if you plan to discuss legal or technical concepts. Business negotiation takes place in slow pace. You might have to meet up several times to develop strong relationships of trust to achieve your objectives. Do not bring presents! The gesture is considered bribery, which is illegal in the country.

COLOMBIA: Power Distance- At 67 Colombia scores high on the scale of the PDI, so it is a society that believes that inequalities amongst people are simply a fact of life. Individualism vs Collectivist- At a score of 13 Colombia is amongst the lowest Individualist scores; in other words, it lies amongst the most collectivistic cultures in the world. Masculinity vs Femininity- At 64 Colombia is a Masculine society – highly success oriented and driven. Colombians are competitive and status-oriented, yet collectivistic rather than Individualist. Uncertainty Avoidance- At 80 Colombia has a high score on Uncertainty Avoidance which means that as a nation they are seeking mechanisms to avoid ambiguity. Emotions are openly expressed; there are rules for everything and social conservatism enjoys quite a few. Long term vs Short term- With a low score of 13, Colombian culture is classified as normative. People in such societies have a strong concern with establishing the absolute Truth; they are normative in their thinking.

Business Culture in ColombiaGreetings: When meeting and greeting, expect a firm handshake, often for a long time, combined with strong eye contact. Smiling is also important. Expect to be asked several times how you are and how things are going. Colombians are universally keen to know that visitors have a positive impression of their country and how it compared with what they imagined. On departure you should repeat all the handshaking and kissing. Time should be included in your programme do not assume that you will be able to make a quick exit. Business Meeting: It is probably best to start arranging meeting schedules around two weeks before arrival, but it is normal for meeting schedules to remain unconfirmed until close to the visit. When arranging a meeting, it is advisable to provide the Colombian company with the subject of the meeting in advance, although only limited detail will be required at that stage. Business Card: Meetings can be lengthy affairs, allowing for small talk before getting down to business. It is normal to exchange business cards at the start of meetings (although in restaurants or at business lunches they should be exchanged after the meal). Body Language: Colombian women will often substitute the gesture of holding forearms for a handshake. Men shake hands with direct eye contact. If you are visiting on business and happen to tour a factory, it is polite to shake hands with those workers nearest you. Tapping the underside of the elbow with the fingers of the other hand suggests that someone is ‘stingy.’

UNITED KINGDOM: Power Distance- At 35 Britain sits in the lower rankings of PDI that means a society that believes that inequalities amongst people should be minimized. Interestingly is that research shows PD index lower amongst the higher class in Britain than amongst the working classes. Individualism vs Collectivist- At a score of 89 the UK is amongst the highest of the Individualist scores showing that the British are a highly Individualist and private people. Children are taught from an early age to think for themselves and to find out what their unique purpose in life is and how they uniquely can contribute to society.

Masculinity vs Femininity- At 66, Britain is a Masculine society – highly success oriented and driven. British is being able to ‘’read between the lines’’ What is said is not always what is meant. In comparison to Feminine cultures such as the Scandinavian countries, people in the UK live to work and have a clear performance ambition. Uncertainty Avoidance- At 35 the UK has a low score on Uncertainty Avoidance which means that as a nation they are quite happy to wake up not knowing what the day brings and they are happy to ‘make it up as they go along’ changing plans as new information comes to light. British are comfortable in ambiguous situations. Long term vs Short term- With an intermediate score of 51 in this dimension, a dominant preference in British culture cannot be determined.

Business Culture in United Kingdom: Business Meeting: Make the appointment for your meeting a few days in advance and indicate what its objectives are beforehand as well. Tardiness reflects badly in a professional setting, so make sure to arrive on time or slightly early. Before you begin discussing business, break the ice with a few minutes of social conversation. British use humor throughout dealings to lighten the setting. Always give the impression that everything is well managed and under control. Business Cards: Business cards are exchanged during introductions without formality. These are usually given at the end of a meeting. There is no ceremony as to business card giving in the UK. Do not be surprised if someone writes on your business card. Body Language: The British like to be given a fair amount of personal space, so maintain an arm length's distance between yourself and the person speaking. Standing too close can put people off. It is best to make direct eye contact that breaks away now and again. Prolonged eye contact can make people feel uncomfortable, and staring is impolite.

BRAZIL: Power Distance- With a score of 69, Brazil reflects a society that believes hierarchy should be respected and inequalities amongst people are acceptable. Individualism vs Collectivist- Brazil has a score of 38 which means that in this country people from birth onwards are integrated into strong, cohesive groups (especially represented by the extended family; including uncles, aunts, grandparents and cousins) which continues protecting its members in exchange for loyalty. Masculinity vs Femininity- Brazil scores 49, a very intermediate score on this dimension. Uncertainty Avoidance- At 76 Brazil scores high on UAI and so do most Latin American countries. These societies show a strong need for rules and elaborate legal systems to structure life. The individual’s need to obey these laws, however, is weak. If rules however cannot be kept, additional rules are dictated. Long term vs Short term- At 44, Brazil scores as intermediate in this dimension.

Business Culture in Brazil: Business Meetings: Brazilians prefer face-to-face meetings to written communication as it allows them to know the person with whom they are doing business. Business appointments are required and can often be scheduled on short notice; however, it is best to make them 2 to 3 weeks in advance. Confirm the meeting in writing. Schedule extra time in between meetings to allow for any additional time needed since they are often delayed or cancelled without warning. The individual they deal with is more important than the company. Business Card: Business cards are exchanged during introductions. It is advisable, although not required, to have the other side of your business card translated into Portuguese. Present your business card with the Portuguese side facing the recipient. Greeting: Handshaking, often for a long time, is common form of greeting between business colleagues, both upon arrival and upon exiting the room. Greetings involving women will involve kissing of both cheeks. Hugging and back slapping is very common amongst men in Brazil. Regarding titles of courtesy, most

people should be addressed with a title followed by their surname. Once you know them, it is common to use just first names or else their title followed by their first name. Body Language: Do make eye contact as this shows you are paying attention, interested and honest. They speak in very close proximity, with lots of physical contact (touching of the arms, elbows and back). To express appreciation, a Brazilian may appear to pinch his earlobe between thumb and forefinger. Clapping the back of a hand against the palm of the other hand signifies that they don't care or are not interested. The O.K. sign in Brazil is considered rude.

PAKISTAN: Power Distance- With an intermediate score of 55, it is not possible to determine a preference for Pakistan in this dimension. Individualism vs Collectivist- Pakistan, with a very low score of 14, is considered a collectivistic society. This is manifest in a close long-term commitment to the member ‘group’, be that a family, extended family, or extended relationships. Masculinity vs Femininity- Pakistan scores 50 on this dimension, and as this is an exactly midway score it cannot be said if Pakistan has a preference to Masculinity of femininity. Uncertainty Avoidance- Pakistan scores 70 on this dimension and thus has a high preference for avoiding uncertainty. Long term vs Short term- With an intermediate score of 50, the culture of Pakistan cannot be said to indicate a preference.

Business Culture of Pakistan: Greetings: Men shake hands with each other and often hug when a relationship is formed. Men should not attempt to shake a woman’s hand unless she extends hers first. In Pakistani business culture, people are rarely addressed by their first names. Instead, refer to an associate by their title and surname. Meetings: Meetings are best planned for the late morning or early afternoon. Deadlines are flexible, and business may take longer than usual, so expats should be patient and work around this. Ramadan is an important part of the year for

Pakistanis, and expats should not schedule any meetings over this period. The best time to schedule meetings is in the late morning.

Body Language: Pakistanis are generally not concerned with personal space and will stand closer to their subjects than in Western culture. However, more distance is kept between those of opposite genders. There is a separation between the functions of the hands in Pakistani culture. This custom is tied to Islamic principles that prescribe the left hand should be used for removal of dirt and for cleaning. It should not be used for functions such as waving, eating or offering items. Therefore, one should gesture, touch people or offer items using the right hand or both hands together Business Cards: Business cards are exchanged after introduction because your host will assess your standing within your company and decide their strategy on conducting the meeting. Visitors should make themselves familiar with local customs before travelling and care should be taken to respect Muslim conventions.

REFERENCE All above information is taken from Hofstede-insight.com and mindtools.com article on Hofstede’s cultural dimensions.