This activity encourages you to explore different dimensions of culture and to p

This activity encourages you to explore different dimensions of culture and to practice comparing countries on these dimensions. The dimensions we will use are based on the work of Geert Hofstede. To keep things relatively simple, we will focus on four of these dimensions (Power Distance, Individualism – Collectivism, Masculinity – Femininity, Uncertainty Avoidance Index). Prior to completing this activity, you may want to revisit the portion of the lecture dedicated to these dimensions.
To complete this activity, visit the Hofstede Insights Links to an external site.website (click on the link). The Compare Countries option will allow you to compare countries on these dimensions. Limit yourself to 3 countries. We encourage you to pick countries you are familiar with or have an interest in. Type or select 3 countries to generate a figure with the score of each country on the various dimensions. Right click on the figure, take a screen shot, or use an application such as Snipping Tool to save the figure as an image file (preferably a .png or .jpeg file).
Describe the pattern of scores on the 4 dimensions listed below [4-5 sentences minimum for each dimension]. You can comment on the absolute values (the fact that they might be high or low in some cases). More importantly, comment on the differences and similarities between countries. Try to provide nuanced descriptions (i.e., do not overemphasize relatively small differences).
1-Insert the figure (.png or .jpeg file) here by clicking on “Images” icon.
2-Power Distance.This dimension expresses the degree to which the less powerful members of a society accept and expect that power is distributed unequally. The fundamental issue here is how a society handles inequalities among people. People in societies exhibiting a large degree of power distance accept a hierarchical order in which everybody has a place and which needs no further justification. In societies with low power distance, people strive to equalize the distribution of power and demand justification for inequalities of power.
3-Individualism (vs. Collectivism). The high side of this dimension, called individualism, can be defined as a preference for a loosely-knit social framework in which individuals are expected to take care of only themselves and their immediate families. Its opposite, collectivism, represents a preference for a tightly-knit framework in society in which individuals can expect their relatives or members of a particular in-group to look after them in exchange for unquestioning loyalty. A society’s position on this dimension is reflected in whether people’s self-image is defined in terms of “I” or “we.”
4-Masculinity (vs. Femininity).The masculinity side of this dimension represents a preference in society for achievement, heroism, assertiveness and material rewards for success. Society at large is more competitive. Its opposite, femininity, stands for a preference for cooperation, modesty, caring for the weak and quality of life. Society at large is more consensus-oriented. In the business context Masculinity versus Feminity is sometimes also related to as “tough versus tender” cultures.
5-Uncertainty Avoidance. The uncertainty avoidance dimension expresses the degree to which the members of a society feel uncomfortable with uncertainty and ambiguity. The fundamental issue here is how a society deals with the fact that the future can never be known: should we try to control the future or just let it happen? Countries exhibiting strong uncertainty avoidance maintain rigid codes of belief and behavior and are intolerant of unorthodox behavior and ideas. Weak uncertainty avoidance societies maintain a more relaxed attitude in which practice counts more than principles.