Uncertainty Avoidance

Masculinity vs Femininity

Uncertainty Avoidance

Uncertainty avoidance refers to the extent to which a culture feels threatened by ambiguous, uncertain situations and tries to avoid them by establishing more structure

Uncertainty about the future is a basic fact of human life with which we try to cope through the domains of technology, law and religion. In organizations these take the form of technology, rules, and rituals.

(Hofstede, 1980,1984)

The tolerance of uncertainty and dealing with uncertainty are culturally different.

High Uncertainty Avoidance/

Low Uncertainty Avoidance

High Uncertainty avoidance

Low tolerance for ambiguity Avoid uncertainty and disagreement Desire consensus Resist change and feel threatened

by new ideas and processes

Have a high tolerance for uncertainty and ambiguity

Believe in accepting and encouragingBelieve in taking risks and trying new thingsDon’t have a strong need to control things,

people and events by clearly defining and categorizing them

(责权模糊）

Low uncertainty avoidance

High Uncertainty Avoidance Organization

More structuring activitiesMore written rulesLarger number of specialistsMore ritual behaviorLower labor turnoverLess ambitious employees

Low Uncertainty Avoidance Organization

Less structuring activitiesless written rulesSmaller number of specialistsLess ritual behaviorHigher labor turnovermore ambitious employees

UA and history, religion

Latin countries Higher UAI

Protestant, catholic protestant mixed, Buddhist countries Lower UAI

Countries with High/Low UAI

Japan 92France 86Spain 86Mexico 82Israel 81Brazil 76

Singapore 8Sweden 29Hongkong 29Great Britain 35Malaysia 36India 40

Case 1 How to solve the problem?In a textile company, two managers were

in conflict.The marketing managers wanted to

accept small orders from fashion companies. Because he thought that if the company filled the small rush orders, then they would get larger orders from the fashion companies.

The production manager disagree. He had the job of changing the dyes in the machines, and he felt the small orders were costing the company too much money, because he had to shut down the machines and clean them before processing each order.

In your opinion, how to solve the problem?

Masculinity

masculinity versus femininity dimension looks at the relationship between gender and work roles.

It indicates the degree to which a culture values such behaviors as assertiveness, achievement, acquisition of wealth or caring for others, social supports and the quality of life.（ toughness/tenderness)

Masculinity versus Femininity

In masculine cultures, sex roles are sharply differentiated, and values such as achievement, power, and performance determine cultural ideals.

In feminine cultures, sex roles are less sharply distinguished, and little differentiation is made between men and women in the same job.

Masculinity

Achievement and ambitionOstentatious manliness, with very

specific behaviors and products associated with male behavior

Aggressiveness and assertivenessRespecting the goal of material

acquisition

Masculinity

Achievement is more important than building a long-term relationship

Success is the function of the individual Society is made up of leaders and

followersWhether you are a success or a failure

it is the result of your own actionsBusiness is a more efficient process

than in feminine societies

Masculinity

Men are expected to be strong; they should fight to protect their interests.

Women are expected to be nurturing and sensitive to feelings.

Femininity

Value interpersonal relationshipsModesty, cooperation and tendernessPut quality of life before material

acquisitionActively express concern for the less

fortunateMore reserved and less time-driven

A more feminine future

Technological developmentLower birth rateNon-automatable jobs (such as

service)The threat from the environment

Countries with high/low MI

Japan 95Austria 79Venezuela 73Italy 70Switzerland 70Mexico 69USA 62Hongkong 57

Sweden 5Norway 8Netherlands 14Denmark 16Finland 26Chile 28Portugal 31Thailand 34

Question

Do you think that a country’s social welfare system should protect the weaker members of a society? Or do you think that it is more important that laws and policies reward members of society who are capable?

Question

In the future, what kind of company do you like to work for ? A company with masculine culture or a company with feminine culture?

Reference

1. Hofstede, G. Culture’s Consequences: Comparing Values, Behaviors, Institutions and Organizations across Nations (2nd Edition). 上海：上海外语教育出版社。

2. Davis, L. 中西文化之鉴，北京：外语教育与研究出版社。（ p 218-287)