hofstede and trompenaars compared.pdf

7/30/2019 hofstede and trompenaars compared.pdf

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Hofstede and TrompenaarsHofstede and Trompenaars

comparedcompared

Of these seven value dimensions, twoOf these seven value dimensions, two

reflect closely the Hofstede dimensions ofreflect closely the Hofstede dimensions of

Collectivism/Individualism and to a lesserCollectivism/Individualism and to a lesser

extent power distance. Trompenaars andextent power distance. Trompenaars and

Hampden-Turner'sHampden-Turner's

communitarianism/individualism valuecommunitarianism/individualism value

orientation seems to be virtually identical toorientation seems to be virtually identical to

Hofstede's Collectivism/Individualism.Hofstede's Collectivism/Individualism.


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Their achievement/ascription value orientation,Their achievement/ascription value orientation,

which describes how status is accorded,which describes how status is accorded,

appears to be linked to Hofstede's powerappears to be linked to Hofstede's power

distance index, at least if one accepts thatdistance index, at least if one accepts that

status is accorded by nature rather thanstatus is accorded by nature rather than

achievement, and that this reflects a greaterachievement, and that this reflects a greater

willingness to accept power distances.willingness to accept power distances.


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It is, however, not a complete match, asIt is, however, not a complete match, as

Hofstede's power index does not only relate toHofstede's power index does not only relate to

how status is accorded, but also to thehow status is accorded, but also to the

acceptable power distance within a society, anacceptable power distance within a society, an

area that is not touched upon by Trompenaarsarea that is not touched upon by Trompenaars

and Hampden-Turner.and Hampden-Turner.


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Trompenaars and Hampden-Turner's otherTrompenaars and Hampden-Turner's other

dimensions seem to focus more on somedimensions seem to focus more on some

resulting effects of underlying valueresulting effects of underlying value

dimensions. For example, theirdimensions. For example, their

neutral/emotional dimension describes theneutral/emotional dimension describes the

extent to which feelings are openly expressed,extent to which feelings are openly expressed,

i.e. a behavioral aspect rather than a value ini.e. a behavioral aspect rather than a value initself.itself.


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Their universalism/particularism valueTheir universalism/particularism value

orientation, describing a preference for rulesorientation, describing a preference for rules

rather than trusting relationships, could berather than trusting relationships, could be

interpreted as part of Hofstede's uncertaintyinterpreted as part of Hofstede's uncertainty

avoidance dimension on the one side, and toavoidance dimension on the one side, and to

some extent the collectivist/individualistsome extent the collectivist/individualist

dimension.dimension.


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Their diffuse/specific value orientation, describingTheir diffuse/specific value orientation, describing

the range of involvement, seems to have no directthe range of involvement, seems to have no direct

link to any of Hofstede's dimensions.link to any of Hofstede's dimensions.

Human-Time relationship is closely related, if notHuman-Time relationship is closely related, if notidentical, to Halls polychronic and monochronic timeidentical, to Halls polychronic and monochronic time

perceptions. The Human-Nature relationship appearsperceptions. The Human-Nature relationship appears

to be closely related to the Human-Natureto be closely related to the Human-Nature

relationship in Strodbeck and Kluckhohn's (1969)relationship in Strodbeck and Kluckhohn's (1969)Value Orientations.Value Orientations.


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An examination reveals broad consistency in theAn examination reveals broad consistency in therespective classifica-tions of countries. Forrespective classifica-tions of countries. Forexample, Japan and India are both relatively weakexample, Japan and India are both relatively weakin terms of individualism according to bothin terms of individualism according to both

Hofstede and Trompenaars, while Denmark, theHofstede and Trompenaars, while Denmark, theUK and the USA are relatively individualistic.UK and the USA are relatively individualistic.However, many countries appear to be moreHowever, many countries appear to be moreindividualistic according to Trompenaars thanindividualistic according to Trompenaars thanHofstede's research indicates. This is particularlyHofstede's research indicates. This is particularly

the case for countries such as Mexico, Greece andthe case for countries such as Mexico, Greece andSpain. Differences of this kind cannot be entirelySpain. Differences of this kind cannot be entirelyexplainedexplained

away by pointing to the differences in the itemsaway by pointing to the differences in the items

employed by Hofstede and Trompenaars.employed by Hofstede and Trompenaars.


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Hodgetts and Luthans (.2000) have suggested thatHodgetts and Luthans (.2000) have suggested thatwhat is possible is that the differences may be duewhat is possible is that the differences may be dueto the different time frames of the two studies,to the different time frames of the two studies,indicating that cultural change has taken place. Inindicating that cultural change has taken place. In

turn this implies that Hofstede's findings areturn this implies that Hofstede's findings arebecom-ing out of date. For example Mexico'sbecom-ing out of date. For example Mexico'sintegration into the global economy may beintegration into the global economy may begenerating a move away from communitariangenerating a move away from communitarianvalues. In other words, 'Cultures. do not standvalues. In other words, 'Cultures. do not stand

still; they evolve over time, albeit slowly. What wasstill; they evolve over time, albeit slowly. What wasa reasonable characterization in the 1960s anda reasonable characterization in the 1960s and1970s may not be so today' (Hill, 2000: 100).1970s may not be so today' (Hill, 2000: 100).


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It is also interesting to note that Trompenaars'It is also interesting to note that Trompenaars'findings indicate that former communistfindings indicate that former communistcountries such as Russia, Hungary and thecountries such as Russia, Hungary and the

Czech Republic are relat-ively individualisticCzech Republic are relat-ively individualisticdespite their communist past.despite their communist past.

Trompenaars has also extended his research byTrompenaars has also extended his research byexamining corporate cultures by nationality. Inexamining corporate cultures by nationality. In

order to do so he introduced yet anotherorder to do so he introduced yet anotherdimension:dimension: equality versusequality versus


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hierarchy.hierarchy.The hierarchical corporateThe hierarchical corporate

culture is one that is power-oriented inculture is one that is power-oriented in

which the leader has considerable authoritywhich the leader has considerable authority

and knows best. This dimension is akin toand knows best. This dimension is akin to

Hofstede'sHofstede'sPower DistancePower Distance dimension.dimension.

Furthermore, there are a number ofFurthermore, there are a number of

similarities in their findings: thesimilarities in their findings: theScandinavian countries.Scandinavian countries.


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North America and the UK have relativelyNorth America and the UK have relatively

egalitarian cultures according toegalitarian cultures according to

Trompenaars, and are low in terms ofTrompenaars, and are low in terms ofPowerPower

DistanceDistance according to Hofstede. France andaccording to Hofstede. France and

Spain figure as hierarchical according toSpain figure as hierarchical according to

Trompenaars and relatively high in terms ofTrompenaars and relatively high in terms of

Power distance in Hofstede's research.Power distance in Hofstede's research.


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There are, however, pronouncedThere are, however, pronounced

disagreements not least in regard todisagreements not least in regard to

Germany. Trompenaars' findings suggestGermany. Trompenaars' findings suggest

that German corporate culture is decidedlythat German corporate culture is decidedly

hierarchical, whereas Hofstede identifieshierarchical, whereas Hofstede identifies

Germany as relatively low in terms ofGermany as relatively low in terms ofPowerPower

Distance.Distance.

hofstede and trompenaars compared.pdf

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