Hofstedes

Hofstede's cultural dimensions theory, commonly referred to as Hofstede's model, is a framework for analyzing how cultural values influence behavior in organizations and societies. It was developed by Dutch social psychologist Geert Hofstede, based on large-scale surveys of IBM employees in the 1960s and 1970s.

The original work identified four dimensions and was later expanded to six: Power Distance, Individualism versus Collectivism, Masculinity versus Femininity, and Uncertainty Avoidance, with Long-Term Orientation and Indulgence versus Restraint added subsequently.

Each dimension describes a spectrum along which national cultures fall, enabling comparisons across countries. Power Distance measures acceptance of unequal power distribution; Individualism reflects the degree of social integration; Masculinity versus Femininity contrasts achievement and competition with quality of life and relationships; Uncertainty Avoidance gauges tolerance for ambiguity.

Long-Term Orientation addresses pragmatic, future-oriented values versus short-term norms, while Indulgence versus Restraint concerns the gratification of human desires. The framework has been widely used in international business, management, and cross-cultural training to tailor leadership, negotiation, and human resource practices.

Critics note methodological limitations, including reliance on data from a single company's workforce, cultural change over time, and debates about the universality of the dimensions. Modern practice often supplements Hofstede with additional measures and country-specific studies; Hofstede Insights maintains ongoing updates and refinements to the model.