Hofstede model

In this post, we will compare Colombia and New Zealand using the Hofstede model. Hofstede's model was created in 1080 by Geert Hofstede and it is used to distinguish differences between national cultures, the dimensions of culture and assess their impact on a business setting.

This model proposes six dimensions that define culture: Power Distance, Individualism, Masculinity, Uncertainty avoidance, Long term orientation, and indulgence.

POWER DISTANCE

Power distance refers to the strength of a society’s social hierarchy. It measures the extent to which those people who are at the lower end of the hierarchy accept the fact that social stance or power is not distributed equally in the society. Both psychologists and sociologists use this measure. Researchers have found that people at the bottom of a social hierarchy tend to prefer a system that would distribute power equally.

INDIVIDUALISM

Individualism is an idea of society that champions individual liberty, creativity, and self-reliance. A thriving society cannot be engineered by the collectivist designs of central planners, sociology professors, or government economists.

MASCULINITY

This dimension indicates if society will be driven by competition, achievement, and success or not. The chart shows that contrary to New Zealand, Colombians are highly success-oriented and driven, they are competitive and status-oriented.

UNCERTAINTY AVOIDANCE

This dimension considers how uncertainty and ambiguity are tolerated by society. In this case, both cultures are highly tolerant to ambiguity but New Zealand is more Uncertainty tolerant.

LONG TERM ORIENTATION

This dimension considers the extent to which society deals with the challenges of the present and future. The charts show that both cultures are normative, which means that these countries are focused on the near future.

INDULGENCE

This dimension defines how a society tries to control its desires and impulses. Both societies allow relatively free gratification related to enjoying life and having fun.

Colombia vs New Zealand

Colombia 

New Zealand