Introduction
Hofstede’s five cultural dimensions are theoretical tools, which provide a conceptual framework for analyzing cultures across nations and regions to facilitate effective intercultural communication. It has 5 cultural dimensions that the managers of global corporations need to infer from when making investment decisions (Wilbur par. 4). Hofstede’s framework includes individualism vs. collectivism, uncertainty avoidance, power distance, long vs. short-term orientation, and masculinity vs. femininity (Wilbur par. 4).
Hofstede’s five dimensions
Uncertainty avoidance is the degree, to which a culture can tolerate ambiguity or a non-traditional demeanor. From Hofstede’s scale, South Korea has a score of 85, which implies that the nation is a high uncertainty-avoiding country. Therefore, the Koreans maintain rigid codes of belief and behavior. They are intolerant of unorthodox ideas as well. This defines the Koreans as hard-working people who observe time. However, they may resist innovation and consider security more as an individual motivating element. On the other hand, the United States scores 46 on the scale that describes this country as a society that accepts uncertainty.
Masculinity vs. Femininity measures the role of aggression, achievement, and gender in society. South Korea scores low on this scale (39) while the US scores high (62), implying that the Koreans are a feminist society whereas the Americans are a masculine society. In South Korea, they value equality, solidarity, and quality working relationships.
Long vs. short-term orientation reflects on how societies search for truth or stick to values (Wilbur par. 13). In other words, long-term societies easily forego short-term gains for long-term gains. On the other hand, short-term individuals are flexible and adjust according to the situation (Wilbur par. 13). South Korea and the United States score 75 and 29 on this scale. This depicts the Koreans as a long-term-oriented society that is guided by virtue. The corporations in Korea view business growth as always growing gradually, while the Americans are short-term-oriented individuals who are rational and mind about immediate results and current social stability. This makes them strive for quick results.
Individualism vs. collectivism concerns the relationships in society. Individuals in individualistic societies care about personal identity (Wilbur par. 17). Laws within the society protect individual rights and status. However, collectivist society individuals value protection of the group identity and welfare. South Korea scores 18 and the US scores 91, which means that the Koreans are a collectivist society whose members value strong group and family relationships. Everyone takes responsibility for other members of the group, family, or company. The American society is an individualist one with people caring about themselves, immediate families, and is self-reliant.
Power distance is the degree, to which power is distributed within a society with a high power distance reflecting a culture that accommodates hierarchical organizational structures (Wilbur par. 21). South Korea with a score of 60 depicts it as a hierarchical society meaning power is centralized and subordinated. They place their needs and wait to be told what to do. On the other hand, the United States’ score of 40 demonstrates a low power distance society that believes in equal rights, liberty, and justice. People can easily access their seniors who rely on employees for expertise.
Conclusion and recommendations
As a result of the divergent cultural difference between South Korea and the United States, the following recommendations are made. The Google Company should be knowledgeable of Korean cultural etiquette. The company should avoid any fraud in dealing with the South Korean corporations on the acquisition of intellectual property rights and other contracts. The Google corporation values should incorporate norms such as working teams. It should also familiarize itself with group negotiations and legal procedures in matters about organizational functioning.
Works Cited
Wilbur, Douglas S. “Leveraging Hofstede’s Cultural Dimensions Theory to Improve the Quality of Information Operations.”Small Wars Journal, 2013.